Pleurotus cornucopiae
I found this wonderfully formed mushroom on the trunk of a fallen beech tree. A funnel-shaped, creamish to ochraceous mushroom which often becomes wavy or cracked at the margin. It has deeply decurrent pale gills running down the stem. Cap width 5 to 12cm. Stem height 2 to 5cm.
Seen spring to autumn. Found in clumps on the dead wood of deciduous trees. It was very common following the spread of Dutch elm disease, but declining and now widespread but occasional.
Photographs taken October 2011, local wood.
Nature Journeys 