North Kerry Waxcap Survey 2012 - the Northern Ireland Fungus Group

Geoglossum atropurpureum (Batsch) Pers.
One of Northern Ireland’s Priority Species
(http://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=17906) and a UK BAP species. Like
most earth tongues, it is not easy to identify in the field although a purplish tinge can be seen
with this species. Noted under the microscope by non-septate spores 18-33µm long and with
brown amorphous matter giving a very different look under the microscope to most earth
tongue squashes. Which genus this species is in has always given difficulty with it often been
placed in Thuemenidium. Recent DNA work suggests that this species is more related to
Microglossum with more work needed to confirm this (Ohenoja et al., 2010). Retained here as
Geoglossum atropurpureum to remain consistent with priority species lists. Found at Dunmore
Head on 30/10/2012 at V307982 and Glennahoo on 04/11/2012 at Q551081. For photographs,
see http://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/photo.asp?item=815 or
Microglossum olivaceum (Pers.) Gillet
One of Northern Ireland’s Priority Species
(http://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=17521) and a UK BAP species, this is a
distinctive earth tongue with brown and green colours. Quite amazingly, it was found in an
unremarkable churchyard in Ballybunnion (St John's Church) on 07/11/12 at Q866415. This
was the only fungus in the churchyard which was very wet and squelchy. This does indicate
though that the site should be revisited. The photograph below was on taken on Clare Island
on the West Mayo survey (Mitchel, 2008).
Trichoglossum walteri (Berk.) E.J. Durand
Another of Northern Ireland’s Priority Species
(http://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=17921). A black earth tongue. Earth
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