A rare and elusive species of fungi has been spotted in Montgomeryshire for the first time.
Following a tip-off, conservationists Ceri Jones and Andy Davies from Hiraeth Ecology visited Llanidloes Cricket Club and were amazed to see a vast amount of Ballerina Waxcaps (Porpolomopsis calyptriformes) in both pink and white forms, and Violet Coral (Clavaria zollingeri), both of which are fairly rare grassland fungi.
On further examination of the field an even rarer waxcap was found. The Jubilee Waxcap (Gliophorus reginae) has only been recorded at three other sites in Wales, which makes its discovery at Llanidloes Cricket Field a very important find.
Ceri Jones said: “Although not a large number of different species were found on the field, we were stunned by the sheer numbers of the rare grassland fungi. The Jubilee Waxcap is a first for us and Montgomeryshire.”
She added: “The find has been confirmed by the Lost and Found Fungi Project at Kew, and samples sent to Aberystwyth University for their mycological collection. Llanidloes Cricket Club are looking after the field brilliantly and as long as they don’t change anything it should continue to be a fantastic place for these rare species”.
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