Rare fungi musings.

[Jim Ford]

There's a notice board at our local woods, on which is stated that:

"In 1995 the fungus Crepidotus cinnabarinus was discovered here, this was the first time this species had been identified in Britain, and only its fourth European recording."

For such a rare potential prize, I would expect the wood to be crawling with seekers at this time of year, but I've never seen any in any year. Why's this - are fungi just too 'fickle' and unreliable for mycologists to consider it worthwhile to follow up a previous discovery? I've always found it puzzling.

I have only a passing interest in fungi - there's too many and the subject quickly starts getting technical (I also have a suspicion that they might harbour fairies ;^) )

Jim

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

There's a notice board at our local woods, on which is stated that:

"In 1995 the fungus Crepidotus cinnabarinus was discovered here, this was the first time this species had been identified in Britain, and only its fourth European recording."

For such a rare potential prize, I would expect the wood to be crawling with seekers at this time of year, but I've never seen any in any year. Why's this - are fungi just too 'fickle' and unreliable for mycologists to consider it worthwhile to follow up a previous discovery? I've always found it puzzling.

I have only a passing interest in fungi - there's too many and the subject quickly starts getting technical (I also have a suspicion that they might harbour fairies ;^) )

Jim

hi Jim

I assume you are referring Whippendell Woods?; there have been quite a number of records since: NBN Gateway: Crepidotus cinnabarinus grid map

I worry about the term 'prize' . . . . I suspect that if there was a very rare orchid in that wood yes there would be the equivalent of hordes of twitchers - all with a "right" to see and photograph it (and with the chance of thereby degrading the habitat of course); fungal "twitchers" are, thankfully a distinct rarity - I think most serious workers get much more excited about finding something interesting on one of their favourite local "patches"

you are quite correct - fungal fruiting can be a very fickle affair, and you cannot guarantee seeing a species in a particular year; I think some of the reasons behind your musings are:

• most people interested in fungi are only interested in eating them (WAB makes a point of not "catering" for them)
  
• of the remainder most people, notice/photograph/occasionally record those that they notice as they stroll along - C. cinnabarinus grows up to an inch across, so would be easily missed except by those doing a careful search
  
• if the fungus isn't in one of the popular guides that most people use then they might not know what they were looking for, of if they had found it they might not know what it was
  
• a rare fungus such as this (and I think we can confidently say that it is genuinely rare, because we can contrast it with the thousands of records of other Crepidotus species) is likely to occur in one specific spot within the wood; I don't know the wood, but at 160 acres the chances of happening upon it are unlikely - anyone interested in seeing it would probably be a serious mycologist who would make enquiries from those "in the know" and - if trusted - would be able to go to that specific area; so you might not have spotted them
  
• the habitat might well have changed in 16 years and may no longer be suitable for the fungus

cheers

Chris

[Jim Ford]

Yes Chris you're right, it's Whippendell Woods.

Interesting reply, thanks.

If I spot the fungi, I'll make a note of its location and let you know!

Jim

[SheffieldLass]

Given its colouring, (and it is a stunner - I would like to see one), it would get recorded quite frequently if it wasn't rare. It looks like this:

images of Crepidotus cinnabarinus

So Jim, keep your eyes peeled for it, but I suspect you'll now start spotting all the discarded orange peel in the wood rather than this beauty ...

Melanie

[diggleken]

Thanks for the link Melanie, gosh thats gorgeous!
As many fungi are, especially the gills, but thats a cut above.
Cheers
Ken

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

So Jim, keep your eyes peeled for it

I will! Whippendell woods are only a 15 min stroll from me.

Jim

[solus]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

Given its colouring, (and it is a stunner - I would like to see one), it would get recorded quite frequently if it wasn't rare. It looks like this:

Wow, that is something special!