When you record an observation or suggest an ID, you choose the fungus from the Field Mycologist database by searching for it.
Using the Species Search
- Click the fungus field (on the website it’s What fungus did you see?).
- Start typing a scientific name, genus or common name, for example “Amanita muscaria”, “Amanita” or “Fly Agaric”.
- Pick the right match from the list.
Search Tips
- Partial names work: typing “aman” finds Amanita species.
- Common names work: try “Penny Bun” or “Chicken of the Woods”.
- Older names are handled for you: if you pick or type a synonym, your observation is recorded under the name currently accepted by the NBN Atlas. For example, Coriolus versicolor is recorded as Trametes versicolor.
- Genus only: if you only know the genus, choose a genus-level ID. See Understanding Genus-Level ID.
If the Species Isn’t Listed
- Check the spelling, and try the genus or another common name.
- If you’re confident it’s genuinely missing, type the full scientific name. On the website you’ll see New fungus: will be created when you submit.
- Submit as normal. The new name is reviewed by the site team. See Submitting a New Species.
In the App
Tap the fungus field and start typing. The app searches the Field Mycologist database and the list of recognised UK species names. Genus-level options are marked GENUS. If you see No fungi found, try another spelling or the genus. To add a species that isn’t listed, record the observation on the website.