AA#13: The Giant Funnel MiniMulti
This offset mini-multi cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden on the north-eastern stretch of the trail which heads north through a narrow ginnel at the side of Grassgarth Farm and on along a broad grassy track before heading across to the west.
Along this latter section were spotted several wildflowers and . . . and an extraordinary plant as described below.
Just after you pass through the gate at the north end of the farm, on your left by the wall and shaded by a lovely rowan tree, you will see some small gravestones marking the resting place of beloved canine companions.
Examining these will enable you to determine the coordinates of the cache as follows:
a) there are A gravestones
b) the alphanumeric value (A=1 B=2 C=3 etc) of last letter of the animal with a 4-letter name = B
c) the animal commemorated on the left-hand gravestone was a few months over 1C years old when s/he died
d) the animal commemorated on the right-hand gravestone passed away in 201D and e) its bird name had E letters
N 53 56.(B-E)(Cx2)(A+B+D) W 1 43.B(C+E)(B+C-D)
The giant funnel or giant leucopax (Leucopaxillus giganteus) is a species of fungus in the family Tricholomataceae. As its name implies, the fruit body or mushroom, can become very large, with the cap reaching up to 50cm (rarely even 70cm) diameter with a thickness of 1-1.4cm.
Smaller specimens can look like other mushrooms when they first appear, but the sheer size, colour and habit of the larger specimens make this a relatively easy species to identify.
It has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring throughout the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. It is typically found growing in groups or 'fairy' rings in grassy areas like pastures, roadsides, or woodland clearings. It has been shown to contain a bioactive compound with antibiotic properties.
Younger specimens have convex caps with a margin that is rolled downwards, but as the mushrooms matures the cap flattens out and eventually becomes shallowly funnel-shaped. The cap is smooth and creamy white in colour, but may develop brown stains and circular cracks with age.
The cream-colored gills are narrow, crowded close together, and have a decurrent attachment - running down the length of the stem; in age the gills will darken to a buff colour.
Mature specimens are fragile, and difficult to remove from the ground without breaking.
It produces fruiting bodies in summer and autumn. It is a saprobic species - deriving nutrients by decomposing organic matter.
It isn't poisonous but has a reportedly poor flavour and may cause stomach upset in some people. However, some consider it to be a choice edible when young. It may be prepared by cutting it up, boiling the pieces, disposing of the water, then it can be used in dishes such as stews and casseroles.
The odour is said to be farinaceous or similar to fish meal and the taste and smell of the mushroom have been described variously as 'mild and pleasant' or 'truly disgusting'!. It is also a favourite food for fruit flies.
It contains a bioactive compound named clitocine that has antibiotic activity against a number of pathogenic bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella typhi, and Brucea abortus.
See here for more info on this extraordinary fungus. See a short video here on collecting, preparing and cooking.
