Himalayan Balsam and Fungi

[macc myco]

Having visited a few local sites where I've found various fungi in the past I've found the sites covered in Himalayan Balsam - and no fungi. Although the trees are still there I was wondering if the presence of the plant may destroy the mycorrhizal relationship between the natural plants and the fungi. Has anyone else found this?

[Ditiola]

Hi
I generally find that when you get a lot of stong vegitaion of any type you get a major reduction in fungal fruitbodies, although I would expect the the ecology of theese situation is little understood. Is it the roots of the invading plant or the vegitation above ground or both the upsets the fungi?

Peter

[Chris Yeates]

hi

are we talking larger, say edible, species or any fungi at all?

Chris

[stickman]

I find the fungi are still there, they're just harder to spot with a load of 6 foot tall weeds in the way

[Ditiola]

Chris
Yes I was thinking of the larger fungi, things like toadstools. My appologies, for a brief moment I had totally overlooked the abundant and wonderfull world of micro fungi. I really must find more time to expand the range of fungi I look for. I notice from Ellis & Ellis there is a rare rust Puccinia argentata on Inpatiens capensis (Orange Balsam), But nothing specific listed for Impatiens nolli-tangere (Touch Me Not Balsam). Does it have many micro fungi?

Peter

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Ditiola

Chris
Yes I was thinking of the larger fungi, things like toadstools. My appologies, for a brief moment I had totally overlooked the abundant and wonderfull world of micro fungi. I really must find more time to expand the range of fungi I look for. I notice from Ellis & Ellis there is a rare rust Puccinia argentata on Inpatiens capensis (Orange Balsam), But nothing specific listed for Impatiens nolli-tangere (Touch Me Not Balsam). Does it have many micro fungi?

Peter

no it (Himalayan B) certainly doesn't - there's a common leafminer, the small fly Phytoliriomyza melampyga, and that's about it - certainly in these parts

Stickman's comment is quite true of some situations - for example I have found that extensive stands of Bracken can form a useful micro-habitat and if you get down to ground level it can be surprisingly rich for micro's and macro's alike, especially where woodland meets grassland (though I don't think I would eat anything from this sort of habitat, as the fungi might well take up dissolved Ptaquiloside the carcinogen for which Bracken is notorious - and the Japanese consider it a delicacy . . .

cheers

Chris