Rare fungi once thought to be extinct in area found growing at farm

By Filipa Gaspar via SWNS

A rare and delicate fungus once thought to be extinct in the UK has been spotted growing on a British farm.

The unusual fungi was discovered by expert mycologist Andy Knott during at the Countryside Regeneration Trust ’s (CRT) Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone, in Dorset.

The fungi - known as crown-tipped coral or candelabra coral - take its name due to the crown-like tips of its branches.

Andy said: “Our last reliable record of this species, prior to the 20th Century, was in 1886, thanks to a collection made by mycologist Carleton Reale.

"There has been a dozen or so records since, but it was not until 2021 in Suffolk that Artomyces pyxidatus was officially recorded again and for the first time in the 21st century.

"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."

Knott - who is part of Jurassic Coast Mushrooms - described the fungi as being off-white-cream in color, occasionally with pink tones.

He said: "It will usually be found growing on decaying hardwoods and occasionally some softwoods,” he said. “Unlike other similar looking ‘Coral’ fungi, these grow on decaying wood, instead of emerging from the ground."

He seeks rare fungal organisms and takes small sterile biopsies within his lab in Dorset.

Knott said: "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."

He said by cloning the genetics of our native species, we can ensure we preserve them - while also selecting the best cultures to allow us to grow rare mushrooms commercially and not impact on wild colonies.

He said: "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."

Nick Dobbs, the CRT’s community engagement manager, who organized the fungi foray walk, said he was delighted with the rare fungi find.

She said: “This just shows that the work we are doing to increase biodiversity and restore habitat at Bere Marsh Farm is working.

"The CRT is absolutely delighted to have welcomed Andy to host the fungi foray walk and his knowledge is astonishing. We will be welcoming Andy back in 2025 for more fungi foray walks."

The Countryside Regeneration Trust is a national charity promoting nature-friendly farming to help reverse the biodiversity decline and combat climate change.

The CRT bought the 92-acre farm in 2020 from the family of a local farmer and conservationist, the late Angela Hughes.

In 2022, a nature reserve at the farm was named in her honour and the 700m wildlife corridor on the former railway can be visited by prior appointment.