2006 Fungi of Fingal Woodlands - Fingal Biodiversity

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Ecological Study of the Countryside Habitats in County Fingal Woodland fungi Both Ardgillan and Newbridge Demesnes had quite a number of pasture species – five Agaricus apiece and several Hygrocybe species. It was a pleasure to find Hygrocybe intermedia in the grass at Newbridge House. Colourful Waxcaps of the Genus Hygrocybe, are doyens of grassland conservation. Howth hosts at least six Hygrocybe species but several of these are outside the designated area, in a patch of heathland. It is unlikely that artificial fertilizers or fungicides have been used on land where Hygrocybe species grow. Large populations of Marasmius oreades, the Fairy Ring Mushroom, at Newbridge House were impressive this season. Ardgillan Demesne also had many Marasmius oreades rings. The Deceiver, Laccaria laccata, was common in grassy areas. St. Catherine’s Park is not so rich in these Genera. Inonotus hispidus is a Bracket fungus and considered to be a scarce. It has only been seen on four trees in Dublin. Three of these are in Newbridge House Demesne and the other one is at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. St. Catherine’s Park hosts some unusual species and for its size and habitat limitations it has rich areas for fungi within it. Melanophyllum eyrei and Melanophyllum echinatum were a joy to see. The old wood by the River Liffey is one of few areas with Hazel as an understorey species. It is an important tree for associated fungi. Boletus albidus was present under the Five Oaks near Ardgillan Castle. This was one of the species found New to Dublin in the course of this work. On the other end of the scale St. Catherine’s Park appears to be poor in Boletus and related species. Boletes are mainly associated with Oak and Birch and some may favour the acidic conditions at Howth. Amanita species are most common at Howth (4 species). The deadly Amanita phalloides at Ardgillan and Amanita pantherina at Howth may raise questions regarding the best way to keep visitors to the parks safe from accidental poisoning. Ignorance up to now has been some protection. The National Poisons Unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin has responsibility for mushroom poisonings in Ireland. Many enquiries have been made over the years with regard to the effects of Magic mushroom ingestion, now illegal in Ireland. Few serious poisonings and few fatalities have taken place but now that more people are picking fungi for culinary uses, care must be taken. Confusion between species that look very similar is one problem. Clitocybe dealbata is a deadly poisonous mushroom found at Ardgillan and at Howth. It can be easily confused with the Miller, Clitocybe prunulus which is very good to eat. Fungi taken from Ardgillan for food include Calvatia gigantea (Giant Puffballs) and Coprinus comatus (Ink caps). Shaggy Ink Caps are good to eat but must not be consumed at the same time as alcohol or the combination can make one very ill. The Giant Puffball, Calvatia gigantea was encountered at Newbridge, Ardgillan and Howth in different contexts. The specimens at Newbridge and Howth were in grass as expected. The Ardgillan group were in deep shade in woodland near the coast. Several species at Ardgillan gave a confused signal in the sense that ‘field mushrooms’ live in the woodland at the base of the site. The unusual-looking species Auricularia mesenterica was seen at St. Catherine’s Park and at Newbridge Demesne (image in Newbridge Appendix 5). Populations of this species seem more common than we had previously thought. Sticks left in situ are an important niche for this species and the fact that sticks are not gathered for firewood appears to be a factor. 16
Ecological Study of the Countryside Habitats in County Fingal Woodland fungi The Bracket Fungus Ganoderma applanatum is common to all sites. A tree was cut at Ardgillan because of a perceived danger that the tree was rotten and that it could fall on a passer-by. After felling, it was realised that the fungus had not caused serious damage to the tree and it was not a great health-and-safety risk after all. There is a balance between the urge to leave damaged trees or standing dead wood and the need to protect the general public as they use parks. There is a slightly unusual species of Earthstar at Newbridge, Geastrum rufescens. Earthstars really capture the imagination. Howth hosts 9 Lactarius or Milk Cap species, several associated with its many Oak and Beech trees. Newbridge is next with 4 species of Lactarius. Howth also has a large number of little Mycena species. Mycena can be lovely but as there are many species, and the specimens are often small and ephemeral, so time is of the essence for identification. The number of species that can be identified is often down to experience, time and access to literature. Howth has 12 species of Russula. Newbridge has a higher number of unidentified Cortinarius species than any other site. A better understanding of this group would increase numbers of species at all sites. Unfortunately the tree-killing parasite Armillaria mellea (Honey fungus) is common to all four sites. In fact 15 species are common to all 4 sites. These are: Armillaria mellea (Honey Fungus) Auricularia auricula-judae (Jew’s Ear) Clavunina cristata (White Coral Fungus) Collybia confluens (Tough Shank) Ganoderma applanatum (Artist’s Bracket) Laccaria laccata (The Deceiver) Lepiota cristata Lycoperdon pyriforme (Stump Puff Ball) Nectria cinnabarina (Coral Spot Fungus) Peziza badia Rhytisma acerinum (Tar spot) on Sycamore leaves Taphrina alni (Alder Tongue) on Alder cones Trametes versicolor (Many-zoned Polypore) Xerocomus chrysenteron (Red Cracked Bolete) 17
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2006 Fungi of Fingal Woodlands - Fingal Biodiversity

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