Herbtender × Plantlife: Celebrating The Wonderful World of Fungi

We’re excited to be partnering with Plantlife through our 1% for the Planet commitment.

At Herbtender, we’re endlessly curious about the natural world and all the ways we’re connected to it. From the traditional wisdom passed down through generations to the discoveries of modern science, there’s always more to learn from the plants, fungi and the ecosystems all around us.

For us, it’s about more than what nature can do for us. It’s about getting curious, looking a little closer and finding our way back to that sense of connection with the living world we’re all part of.

Naturally a partnership with Plantlife feels so right for The Herbtender and we’re huge fans of the work they do to protect and restore a world rich in plants and fungi, from species-rich grasslands to temperate rainforests, while helping more people discover the wonder of nature along the way.

Plantlife’s work is a lovely reminder that these places are so much more than beautiful landscapes; they’re living, breathing ecosystems woven into our history, culture and everyday lives.

To celebrate our new partnership, we’ve invited Dr Aileen Baird, Plantlife’s Senior Conservation Officer for Fungi, to take us into the fascinating world of fungi; a kingdom full of surprises, and one we still have so much to discover about.

Why fungi matter

Plantlife team member in a blue Plantlife T-shirt, smiling outdoors in front of yellow wildflowers and trees

As autumn arrives, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at the extraordinary world of fungi. Often hidden from view, fungi are all around us; and they play a far bigger role in our lives and the health of our natural world than we might realise.

Fungi are the planet’s great recyclers, breaking down dead matter and returning nutrients to the soil. They help plants access water and nutrients, store carbon and support healthy ecosystems, while also playing an important role in food security and contributing to some of our most important medical discoveries. And this is just the beginning of what we know about them.

Scientists estimate there could be around 2.5 million species of fungi worldwide, yet only a fraction have been identified. Despite being fundamental to healthy ecosystems, fungi remain one of the most overlooked and underfunded areas of conservation. We could even be losing species before we have the chance to discover them.

That’s why, this autumn, Plantlife is shining a light on this often-forgotten kingdom through its fungi appeal. By supporting the appeal, you can help Plantlife better understand, protect and champion the fungi that underpin so much of the natural world.

One of the simplest ways we can all shine a light on fungi is by noticing them. So, if you’re heading outdoors this autumn, here are five fascinating fungi to look out for:

Scarlet Waxcap Hygrocybe coccinea

Red scarlet waxcap mushrooms with glossy caps growing in short grass

This deep red waxcap can be found on cropped grassland and often appears in large troops. Sites like churchyards are ideal as they tend to have been around for a while and mown regularly.

Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum

Puffball fungus covered in fine spines growing among fallen pine needles on a woodland floor

Growing on the ground in woodlands and grasslands and often occurring in small clusters, they release a cloud of spores when bumped!

Amethyst Deceiver Laccaria amethystina

Two amethyst deceiver mushrooms (Laccaria amethystina) with purple caps and stems on a woodland floor

‘Amethyst’ refers to the lovely purple colouring of the young mushrooms. They often occur in groups and are usually found growing amongst leaf litter in woodlands.

Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus

Two shaggy inkcap mushrooms (Coprinus comatus) with caps turning black at the edges, growing in grass

These common fungi can be seen on roadsides, in parklands and even popping up in lawns. They’re also known as ‘lawyer’s wig’!

Birch Polypore Piptoporus betulinus

Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius), a grey bracket fungus with ridged bands, growing on a lichen-covered tree trunk

As the name suggests, this bracket fungus grows on birch trees and can be spotted year-round.

Want to go a step further? Become a fungi citizen scientist!

Spotted a waxcap in our autumn fungi line-up? Keep your eyes peeled for more when you’re next out and about. These beautiful fungi are important indicators of species-rich grasslands, helping us understand and protect these precious habitats for the future.

Through Plantlife’s annual Waxcap Watch, you can record the waxcaps you spot using the Waxcap Watch app. No fungi expertise needed – it’s designed to be accessible for everyone. Simply head outdoors and record what you find.

Every record helps build a better picture of where these special fungi are found, supporting Plantlife’s work to protect and restore the grasslands they depend on.

Pink waxcap (Porpolomopsis calyptriformis) with a pointed, frilly pink cap growing in rough grassland

A final thought...

One of the things I find most exciting about fungi is how much there is still to discover. We’re only beginning to understand the incredible roles they play in our ecosystems, and there is so much more waiting to be uncovered. You don’t need to be a fungi expert to start exploring this world – sometimes it’s simply about slowing down, looking a little closer and noticing what’s around you.

We hope this has inspired you to look a little closer the next time you’re out in nature. Whether you’re spotting a colourful waxcap in a meadow, finding a puffball in the woods or simply noticing the fungi growing around you, taking the time to look can be the first step towards a deeper connection with the natural world.

If you’d like to discover more about fungi and support the work Plantlife is doing to understand and protect them, you can find out more about Plantlife's fungi appeal.

by The Herbtender