Is the Zoned Rossette Rare?

[ivinghoe]

Hello
I have had a few zoned rossettes growing on a very old Oak in the grounds of my workplace here in NW London. According to the good old Roger Phillips book its supposed to be quite rare, which kind of surprised me when I have seen this fungus growing where I work for at least 5 yrs or so.
So Is this really a rare fungus or just not seen often due to the low numbers of the veteran oaks they seem to be asscociated with?

[flaxton]

Hi
Yes Podoscypha multizonata is a Red Data List fungus. Looking at the FRDBI most of the 240 records are in the south and many in the London area.

Mal

[fairplay]

It is possible I suppose that many people not familiar with this species (including myself) could easily dismiss this as the rossette (early) stage of Abortiporus biennis.

Neil.

[ivinghoe]

Thanks for the info! Its good to know.
Should I contact my local nature conservation society to get the location made known or would the BMS be better?
Unfortunately the fungus is on a restricted access site so only accompanied visitors can actually see them.

[fairplay]

I would tell both, one for it to go on record and the other to safeguard the site - if practical.

Neil.