Fungus forays into Norfolk
6 November 2010
A conservation group in Norfolk is asking for help in finding a rare fungus it believes may be more widespread than first thought.
The Hoof Fungus (Fomes fomentarius, pictured left) is a bracket fungus with a large, grey, hoof-shaped structure up to 20cm across which grows on birch trees.
It is relatively common in the north of England but in the south it has been rare. However there have been several sightings reported in Norfolk recently leading to speculation that populations there may be increasing.
'For the first time we will know more about where it is in the county,' said Biodiversity Information Officer Martin Horlock. 'The data we collect will give us a baseline to look at for population surveys in the future.'
The Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS) is also looking for sightings of the relatively common fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), a poisonous fungus also associated with birch but with a red cap covered in white spots, and red-lead roundhead (Stropharia aurantiaca), a small orange fungus often found in woodchip mulches in gardens. The information will be stored on the organisation's database, which collects details of the numbers and locations of key plants and wildlife across Norfolk.
The survey runs until the end of November. For further information on how to take part visit the NBIS website.