Really rare fungi found growing in the UK
A very rare and delicate fungi has been found growing at a Dorset farm.
Spotted during a nature walk, the unusual mushroom goes by the name of Artomyces pyxidatus – also known as crown-tipped coral or candelabra fungus, due to the crown-like ends of its branches.
It was discovered by expert mycologist Andy Knott, of Jurassic Coast Mushrooms, who led a Fungi Foray Walk at the Countryside Regeneration Trust’s Bere Marsh Farm, in Shillingstone.
The crown-tipped coral fungi – that’s off white-cream in colour with occasional pink tones – was previously thought to be extinct in the UK.
“Our last reliable record of this species, prior to the 20th Century, was in 1886, thanks to a collection made by mycologist Carleton Reale,” said Andy.
He added that, except for "a small number of finds around Sussex and Kent", the discovery at Bere Marsh Farm "is the only find in the UK west of the South Downs."
“There have been a small number of finds around Sussex and Kent in the last months but on iNaturalist, a website I use, the discovery at Bere Marsh Farm is the only find in the UK west of the South Downs. It’s a real treat to have this mushroom fruiting in Dorset.”
Andy explains that the crown-tipped coral fungus, typically found in North America, usually grows on decaying hardwoods and, occasionally, some softwoods. He added: “Unlike other similar looking ‘Coral’ fungi, these grow on decaying wood, instead of emerging from the ground.”
For his work, Andy seeks out rare fungal organisms and takes small sterile biopsies within his lab in Dorset. “From these, I can preserve the genetics of these wonderful, rare mushrooms. In some cases, we can expand the native culture and transfer it to sterile grain and from there, we can introduce the grain to a fruiting substrate."
By cloning the genetics of the native species, Andy preserves them while also selecting the best cultures to grow rare mushrooms commercially – rather than impacting wild colonies.
He added: “Fungi foraging has become extremely popular in recent years and it’s something I’ve enjoyed doing for the past 15 years.
"Unfortunately, with all the habitat loss seen over recent decades, foraging for wild fungi may not be such a sustainable activity in the future.
"Therefore, cultivating these fabulously rare and often very medicinal mushrooms is the next best thing in ensuring we can all enjoy them.”
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