Fungi are present in a large range of habitats. Like many aspects of nature undisturbed ground favours fungal biodiversity, and it would be expected that a churchyard like St Michael’s would contain a wide range of species. Having said that no special surveys of fungi have been undertaken. Furthermore significant expertise is required to do a proper survey of fungi. It is relatively easy to use simple key guides for identification down to the level of a fungal family, but taking identification down to the level of precise species often requires experience and the use of a microscope.
There is another difficulty with precise naming, and that is the use of language. All fungi are described by their scientific two part name, which identifies their family and then exact species. Using an English name is not so easy. Nearly all flowers and birds have a long traditional history of English Names but this is not the case with fungi. A number do have traditional English names but it is only recently that mycologists have decided that a much greater number should have English names as well. The resulting new naming system is not to everyone’s taste, but it is here to stay.
Some images of fungi found in our churchyard are set out below. These are labelled with English family names. We shall try to add to this photographic archive as new fungi are found.
October and November are the best months for fungi. If you are interested in looking for fungi in the churchyard or around the area, the field to the north of the churchyard could be included in your foray. Please do not stray from the footpath when you foray there. For a short guide to a fungus foray click here.
NB Most fungal species that are to be found locally are present in fairly small numbers so please don’t treat them as Free Food and take them home to eat. Slugs, snails and insects love to eat them. LET THEM DO SO!
