A Preliminary List of Fungi Found in Pembrey Country Park and the Surrounding Area of Forest and Dunes

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Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - September 1984
Dr Phillip Jones

Recording fungi presents peculiar difficulties not met with when recording vascular plants. Some groups are microscopic and beyond the scope of the amateur mycologist. The fruit bodies of the larger fungi, which are the only means of identification, are often erratic in their appearance and when they do appear, may last for a short period of only a day or two. A number of fungi can be identified with certainty in the field but the majority require more detailed examination and the use of a microscope.    Confirmation by an expert is required with many and the retention of material in a herbarium for future reference is required if a list is to have any lasting value.

In this list, in addition to giving the names, I have added the page number where the species is described in 'Mushrooms' by Roger Phillips (Pan Books). This book is up to date and contains more species than in most popular and easily obtainable publications. I have also indicated species sent to Kew for identification (K) followed by the month and year.

Following the list I have added comments on certain species.

Agaricales

Aphyllophorales

Gasteromycetales

Ascomycetes

Notes

A number of proper mushrooms can be found in the park. The common field mushroom Agaricus arvensis can be collected on the manured areas near the visitor centre , The Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea was first seen in the forest in 1983. This is a serious parasite so it is a pity that it is now in the park. The Shaggy Ink Cap, Coprinus comatus is abundant and prominent near the visitor centre in the late summer and autumn. Eccilia nigrella is a very small fungus suite common on established dune areas where vegetation is short and sparse.

It has angular shaped spores when seen under the microscope.    Hygrophoropsis aurantia the false chantrelle, is a nice apricot colour and quite common. Hygrocybe aurantia was an exceptional find in 1980 as it was the second record of this fungus for Great Britain. The usual range is Japan but it is also known from Jamaica and New Zealand. Hygrocybe cantharellus is found in wet areas and is normally associated with Sphagnum. Lactarius deliciosus is prominent as it has carrot coloured juice when the cap is broken. Lepiota cristata is very common and is poisonous if eaten. However Lepiota procera, the Parasol mushroom, makes excellent eating. It is much larger than the proceeding species and easily identified. Lepiota oreadiformis is a rare species and was collected from the salt marsh area. On casual examination it looks remarkably like the Fairy Ring Mushroom, Marasmius oreades and hence the name. This species was found in the same area.    Leptonia corvina is rare in southern Britain. It is common in Western Scotland and Skye. Lepista nuda, Wood Blewits, is a late season fungus that makes excellent eating. Leptoglossum retiruge is a tiny species growing on moss. In Phillips’ book it has found its way onto the wrong section among the Ascomycetes. It is in fact a Basidiomycete (a 'reduced' agaric). Marasmius androsaceus, the horsehair fungus is very common and is found in troops on pine needles. Psathyrella ammophila, can be found frequently in the dunes quite near the edge of the beach. It looks as if it is just growing out of the sand but is in fact attached to pieces of Marram grass. Pseudohiatula tenacella is common in the spring. It has a very tough stripe which, if traced down, will be found growing from a buried pine cone several inches beneath the ground. It is interesting to speculate how the cones become infected as the fungus is not found attached to cones on or near the surface. Stropharia aeruginosa, the Verdigris agaric, is a slimy blue-green fungus. Suillus bovinus is the large boletus (with pores instead of gills beneath the cap) which is common in the forest. Tricholoma gambosum, the St. Georges Mushroom, is occasionally found if we have a mild wet spring.    It was not found in 1984. Tricholomopsis rutilous, Plums and Custard, is a prominent large species found on conifer stumps. Volvariella speciosa has been found on the well manured areas near the visitor centre. It is a large species with the base of the stem enclosed in a bag-like volva. Volvariella hypopithys is a further rarity found in the area. Heterebasidion annosum is a serious parasite of conifer plantations. Several Gasteromycetes have been collected and most are easily recognised without requiring microscopic examination. The Earth Star, Geastrum triplex seems to have become more extensive in recent years. It is found in the Country Park and its spread may have been helped by visitors distributing the spores as they walk. In 1983 a crop of fresh fruit bodies appeared in mid-December which is very late. Mutinus caninus, the Dog Stinkhorn seems more common in Pembrey Forest than the Common Stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus which I have found only once in this area. Ascomycetes, the Cup  Fungi, that produce spores in sausage shaped structures (asci) are generally fairly small. The Morel, Morchella esculenta is fairly large and is highly prized for eating. The specimens found in Pembrey however are so full of sand grains that their use in cooking is out of the question. Ergots of Claviceps purpurea can be found on various grasses. Ergot contains chemicals that are very powerful and used for medicinal purposes. Cereal crops infected with Ergot will cause serious illness if the crop is used for food such as in making bread. Poziza ammophila is another species associated with Marram grass and found in dune areas close to the shore.    In 1977 Verpa conica was collected close to the picnic area near the main road. It is a rare find but for some reason 1977 was a good year for this fungus which was collected from a number of sites in Britain. If the rains come in the spring of 1985 it may show itself again.