The world’s deadliest mushroom conquered california with a clone army

Blessed with a vastly superior taste, penny buns are the champions of champignons and the perfect accompaniment to maggots, finds John Wright

With poisonous fungi hitting the headlines in recent weeks, John Wright introduces Britain’s most deadly species and advises on how best to avoid eating them in the first place

• Discoveries, inventions and surprises

Toby explains why natural predators and late season warmth can help provide many of this year’s beleaguered plants with a second wind of growth

Galls, which can range from the delicately beautiful to hideously unattractive bulbous growths, are among Nature’s most intriguing phenomena, discovers Deborah Nicholls-Lee

Kari-Astri Davies considers choosing tulips to fire up her beds in the wake of bulb-buying frustration