October 18, 2010 11.03 am This story is over 169 months old

Lincoln park holds special mushroom walk

Mushroom madness: Visitors to Hartsholme Park are invited to take a tour to learn about the mushrooms living in it.

Lincolnites are invited to Hartsholme Country Park this weekend to discover the hundreds of types of mushrooms in the park.

Around 480 species of mushrooms grow in Hartsholme Park and the Swanholme Lakes, and fungus expert Ken Rowland will be doing walks discovering each.

The walk will help people identify which ones are poisonous to humans, as well as those that are life saving, such as Penicillium, found in the antibiotic Penicillin.

Senior Conservation Ranger at Hartsholme Country Park Ruth Simons said: “Anyone who visits Hartsholme Country Park and Swanholme Lakes will notice the huge variety of fungi we have.

“From the easily noticeable Fly agaric, with its classic toadstool shape, white stalk and bright red cap, to the less obvious rust fungus, which grows on bramble leaves — all of our fungi add to the character of the area.

“Ken is a real expert, and his guided walks are fascinating — a great way to spend a weekend morning in the outdoors,” Simons added.

The event, from October 23 to 24, starts at 10.30am, lasting around two hours.
Tickets cost £3 and require booking via the Visitor Centre 01522 873 577.

Source, Photo: City of Lincoln Council