North Somerset and Bristol Fungus Group

Because of their brilliant colours, Waxcaps are among the most spectacular fungi - the “orchids of the fungus world”.  However, their growth is highly sensitive to ploughing and artificial fertilizers.  As a result, they have become increasing rare due to intensive agriculture and are almost entirely restricted to unimproved grasslands and lawns, usually in upland regions.  As part of the Tyntesfield conservation work, members of the NSBFG have been auditing the fungi on the site.  The regular visits to Tyntesfield have identified 26 different Waxcaps. Waxcaps, species of Hygrocybe,  are principally found in late autumn, but, as in 2007 and 2008, some will appear in summer after extensive rainfall.

 

Further details of the grassland fungi found at Tyntesfield are shown on the next page

 

Latest News:  3 rare species were identified in 2008:  the mahogany red form of Hygrocybe psittacina var perplexa , the Olive Earth Tongue Microglossum olivaceum, and the Mousepee Pink Gill, Entoloma incanum.  All these fungi are uncommon and only rarely found, usually on old lawns such as those at Tyntesfield.

 

The ongoing audit of the Tyntesfield grasslands and lawns has established the estate lawns as an internationally important site for grassland fungi.

 

The importance of a grassland site in terms of the need for conservation can be determined either by the total number of Waxcap fungi or by the total number of CHEG fungi.  These are defined as:

 

C = no. of Clavaroid species

H = no. of Hygrocybe and Dermoloma species (Waxcaps)

E = no. of Entoloma species (pinkgills)

G = no of Geoglossum etc (earth tongues).

 

On the basis of the analyses for 2005 - 2008, the Tyntesfield lawns have a   CHEG rating of over 50.

 

Tyntesfield Waxcaps

Hygrocybe insipida: a common Waxcap on the Tyntesfield Lawns