Plantlife (@plantlifeuk.bsky.social)

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 8:00 AM

We're in a race against time to save fungi.

Around 2.5 million fungal species exist worldwide, but most remain unidentified. At the current rate of discovery, it could take 1,000 years to uncover the unknown.

Donate today & help bring fungi out of the shadows - https://joinplantlife.org/46Ofr6m

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 6:04 PM

Infographic titled “Golden Waxcap” explaining how to identify this waxcap mushroom species. The graphic features two close-up images of a bright yellow mushroom against a dark green background, with arrows pointing to key characteristics. Text explains that the cap is yellow or orange, wet and sometimes sticky, starting dome-shaped and flattening with age; that the cap can reach up to 7 cm across; that the gills are narrowly or barely attached to the stem; and that the stem is yellow or orange, usually dry but occasionally moist. The mushroom’s distinctive waxy gills and vivid yellow colouring are clearly visible.

Infographic titled “Butter Waxcap” explaining the key identification features of this waxcap mushroom. Set against a dark green background, the graphic includes three photographs of a bright yellow mushroom with arrows highlighting different features. The text explains that the cap is buttery yellow, smooth and waxy, dome-shaped when young and flatter with age, measuring 2–5 cm in diameter. It also notes that the stem is slender, smooth and pale yellow to whitish, while the gills are either broadly attached and may extend slightly down the stem and may become a duller yellow as the mushroom matures. Close-up images clearly show the cap shape, gill structure and stem characteristics.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 6:04 PM

We’ve got that #FungiFriday feeling again!

This time we’re taking on one of the trickiest pairs of waxcaps to tell apart. Meet the Golden and Butter Waxcap!

They look very similar, but fear not! We’re here with some more top ID tips.

Become a whizz at telling these two waxcaps apart. 👇

Graphic titled “Spot The Difference: Golden and Butter Waxcap” in white and yellow text. A close-up photograph shows a bright yellow waxcap mushroom growing among green grass, with the underside of the cap and its thick, waxy gills clearly visible. In the bottom-right corner, a label reads “Fungi Friday!”. The background is softly blurred, drawing attention to the distinctive colour and structure of the mushroom.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 7:15 AM

Graphic featuring the text: “The problem is that we don’t have 1000 years! As habitats are lost and climates change, fungi are disappearing before we even have the chance to discover, understand or protect them.” Alongside the text, four black-and-white Magpie Inkcap mushrooms stand against a dark, softly blurred background. One tall inkcap rises above the others, while three smaller inkcaps cluster below.

Graphic featuring the message: “Your support can help transform our understanding of fungi and make sure they finally receive the attention and protection they deserve. Donate today via the link.” The text appears in white, with “Donate today via the link” highlighted in a red banner. Below the text, three Lilac Dapperling fungi covered in tiny droplets stand among green moss and vegetation. Two taller fungi frame a smaller one in the centre, set against a softly blurred woodland background.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 7:15 AM

$Close-up photograph of three small, pale mushrooms. Large white text reads: “2.5 million species of fungi are estimated to exist worldwide, but only a fraction have been discovered.” The mushrooms are sharply focused against a soft green blurred background, highlighting the diversity and mystery of the fungal world.$

Promotional graphic featuring the text: “1,000 years. That's how long it could take, at today's rate of discovery, to uncover the fungi we haven't yet found.” The text appears in white against a dark background. In the lower right, a close-up photograph shows a small, vivid Scarlet Elfcup fungus growing from a piece of decaying wood. The fungus is sharply focused against a dark, blurred woodland backdrop, drawing attention to the vast number of fungal species that remain undiscovered.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 7:15 AM

Imagine losing species before we've even discovered them.

For fungi, that's already happening.

Fungi help plants thrive, store carbon and support ecosystems.

Yet they're being lost before we even know they exist.

Donate today and help bring fungi out of the shadows🍄- joinplantlife.org/46Ofr6m

Promotional graphic with the headline “Bring Fungi Out of The Shadows” and the subheading “Help Save the World We Cannot See” in large white text on a black background. A brightly illuminated Green Elfcup fungus emerges from dark woodland debris in the lower half of the image, creating a striking contrast against the surrounding darkness. The image has a dramatic, spotlight-like effect that emphasises the rarely seen beauty of fungi.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 2, 2026, 4:34 PM

Close-up photograph of an older Blackening Waxcap mushroom growing among green grass. The mushroom has a black cap with deeply wrinkled, blackened edges and a dark stem, showing the advanced blackening that gives the species its name. The cap has flattened from its original cone shape. White text on the left explains that the mushroom can eventually look like this and that the cone-shaped cap sometimes flattens out as it ages. A curved white arrow points to the wrinkled edge of the cap, and a white carousel arrow appears in the bottom-right corner, indicating the image is part of a series.

Photograph of a group of mature Blackening Waxcap mushrooms growing among grass and low vegetation. Several mushrooms have dark grey to black caps and dark brown stems, showing the characteristic blackening that occurs with age. One mushroom in the foreground retains a more conical shape, while others have broader, flattened caps. White text at the top explains that Blackening Waxcaps are often found in gardens, lawns and roadside verges, particularly in shaded, damp, moss-rich grassland, and that they can appear quickly after rain in late summer and autumn. The background is softly blurred green vegetation.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 2, 2026, 4:34 PM

Close-up photograph of a Blackening Waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica) growing among green grass. The mushroom has a tall yellow stem and a waxy, cone-shaped cap that fades from bright orange at the edges to dark brown-black at the tip. White text on the right explains that the cap is cone-shaped, waxy in texture, orange to yellow in colour, and blackens first at the tip or when bruised. A curved white arrow points towards the darkened area of the cap. A white arrow in the bottom-right corner indicates the image is part of a carousel post.

Close-up photograph of two mature Blackening Waxcap mushrooms growing in grass. The mushrooms’ caps have darkened from orange-brown to deep brown and black around the edges, illustrating the species’ characteristic blackening with age. The foreground mushroom has a flattened, weathered cap with blackened margins. White text in the top-right corner explains that the cap, gills and stem blacken as the fungus ages, giving rise to the alternative name “Witch’s Hat”. A curved white arrow points to the blackened edge of the cap, and a white carousel arrow appears in the bottom-right corner.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Oct 2, 2026, 4:34 PM

Would you recognise the same mushroom twice? You might not with the Blackening Waxcap. But why is that? Well, the clue is in the name! Take a look at the photos to find out more 👉 📸 Thumbnail: Keilidh Ewan

Graphic featuring a Blackening Waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica). A small orange, cone-shaped mushroom with a pale stem grows among green grass and low vegetation, photographed with a shallow depth of field that creates a soft, blurred background. White text at the top reads “Blackening Waxcap” and “Hygrocybe conica”. A yellow label in the bottom-left corner reads “Fungi Friday!”, and a white arrow on the right indicates this is part of a carousel post.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 4:30 PM

Thinking about sowing Yellow Rattle this autumn? 🍂 Hear from our botanical expert, Sarah, on the best way to sow Yellow Rattle seeds and give them the best chance of success. Watch now for her practical tips on getting started this season. 🌱

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 9:42 AM

Ah! Thanks for reaching out. You next need to install the Waxcap Watch survey - the link to this is back on our Waxcap Watch page under the 'Ready to take part?' section www.plantlife.org.uk/waxcapwatch/... If you're using the app on a mobile device please select 'Open in the field app'.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 29, 2026, 4:04 PM

Want to take part in #WaxcapWatch but not sure where to start?

Our fungi expert Aileen, takes you through the free Waxcap Watch app step-by-step so you can start recording waxcap sightings in no time.

Every record helps fungi conservation.🍄

Take part today - https://loom.ly/r4WNTFw

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 8:18 AM

Educational infographic about the Scarlet Waxcap mushroom on a pale cream background. Large red heading reads “Scarlet Waxcap”. Photos of bright red waxcap mushrooms appear on the left and bottom right, with red arrows pointing to key features. Text explains that the Scarlet Waxcap is bright red, has a moist, domed cap that flattens with age, a red or orange stem that feels dry and smooth, and a cap that can reach up to 6 cm across.

Educational infographic about the Crimson Waxcap mushroom on a pale cream background. A large red heading reads “Crimson Waxcap”. Photographs of deep red-purple waxcap mushrooms appear on the left and bottom right, with red arrows highlighting key features. Text explains that the Crimson Waxcap is a deeper purple-red colour, has a cone-shaped cap that flattens with age while often retaining a slight central bump, and a dry, slightly fibrous stem covered in fine silky hairs. The infographic also notes that the cap can grow up to 10 cm across, making it one of the largest waxcap species.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 8:18 AM

Red waxcaps got you scratching your head?

Kicking off our #FungiFriday series, we're comparing the Scarlet Waxcap and Crimson Waxcap. They may look similar, but there are some key differences to look out for. 👇

Close-up photograph of a bright red waxcap mushroom growing among green grass in a meadow. The mushroom's vivid gills are visible beneath the cap, with another blurred orange waxcap in the foreground. White text reads "Spot The Difference" and orange text reads "Crimson and Scarlet Waxcap", while a red banner in the top right corner says "Fungi Friday!".

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 2:30 PM

It's great to be working with Duncan Dunlop MSP to protect and restore species-rich grasslands. 🌱

Find out why we need to make the most of Scotland's grasslands 👉 www.plantlife.org.uk/wp-content/u...

@savebutterflies.bsky.social

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 8:17 AM

Two flowering spikes of Autumn Lady’s-tresses orchids grow in grassland, with small white flowers spiralling up pale green, slightly hairy stems. The background is softly blurred in shades of green and brown. White text reads: “They can be found in old dry calcareous (chalky) or sandy grasslands, on cliff-tops or stable sand dunes. Once more widespread, this species is now mostly found in southern parts of the UK and Ireland.” The text appears in the upper right of the image.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 8:17 AM

Close-up photograph of an Autumn Lady’s-tresses orchid flower spike against a softly blurred green and brown background. Small white flowers with green centres emerge from one side of the stem in a distinctive spiral pattern. White text reads: “This orchid can have up to 25 coconut-scented white and green flowers arranged in a single row spiralling the stem.” A curved white arrow points towards the flowers, and a white arrow icon in the bottom right indicates the next slide in a carousel.

Close-up photograph of an Autumn Lady’s-tresses orchid stem showing the fine hairs that give it a downy texture. Several small white flowers emerge from the pale green stem, which is shown in sharp focus against a softly blurred beige and green background. White text reads: “The stems are downy (covered in fine hairs) and pale-green, reaching up to 20cm in height.” A curved white arrow points to the hairy stem, and a white arrow icon in the bottom right indicates the next slide in a carousel.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 8:17 AM

Did you know this is the latest-flowering native orchid in the UK? Autumn Lady’s-tresses bloom late in the season, flowering all the way through September and sometimes into October! Have you spotted one? Let us know in the comments below.👇

Title slide for a post about Autumn Lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis). A close-up photograph shows a slender green flower spike with small white flowers arranged in a spiral up the stem against a soft, blurred green background. White text on the left reads “Autumn Lady’s-tresses” with the scientific name Spiranthes spiralis beneath it. A white arrow icon appears in the bottom right corner, indicating a carousel slide.

@britmycolsoc.org.uk Sep 15, 2026, 3:01 PMReposted by @plantlifeuk.bsky.social

On the cover of September's Field Mycology: a Violet Coral fungus growing in old pasture at Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire. Read online to find out how the #WaxcapWatch survey has expanded our knowledge of Violet Coral distribution.
👉 fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social

Front cover of the September 2026 issue of 'Field Mycology' journal, with a photo of Violet Coral fungus growing in grass by Jennie Smith.

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social Sep 14, 2026, 9:11 AM

Take part today 👉 www.plantlife.org.uk/waxcapwatch/