Mapping fungi South London

 

Maps courtesy of GiGl

The maps supplied by GiGL indicate that mycorrhizal fungi are not commonly recorded in our borough. Mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationship with trees. Ectomycorrhiza live outside tree roots and produce fruit that we can see. Endomycorrhiza live inside the root and can be seen under a microscope. Saprophytes recycle dead matter and are not necessarily mutually beneficial.

Most tree roots are located in the top 1m of soil where food, water and air are received. The amount of soil the tree roots penetrate, are extended by the action of fungi. They make soluble the minerals that would otherwise be locked away such as phosphorus.

Fungi charge their host a ‘fee’, 10-30% of its sugar production as they cannot photosynthesise. They have an ability to cover the roots with a physical/chemical barrier that can prevent colonisation by parasites such as honey fungus. 

 

Table  Mycorrhizal fungi at Kingston university Kingston Hill

Amanita citrina	False death cap
Amanita muscaria	Fly agaric
Amanita rubescens	The Blusher
Laccaria amethystina	Amethyst deceiver
Russula cyanoxantha	Charcoal burner
Russula ochroleuca
Scleroderma citrinum	Common earthball

 

When mapped its possible to see Hericium coralloides - a priority species - is only found at two south London locations. One was in Kingston the arrow marks the spot as the circle is on the borough boundary.

 

see also waxcaps and Kingston Cemetery  Kingston cemetery 2016 Kingston cemetery 2014

CHEG + Entolomas Kingston cemetery 2020

 

Three Days
Our forest network of downy threads
Are compacted by your feet.
Ouch, we are constricted by
the weight of your heavy clouds.


Fungus gnats scatter as you approach
and save us from the hole-makers.
As stillness returns, they lay eggs
and larvae consume us into doilies
Adult gnats exit after three days

Food for Autumn’s night-sniffing bats.
Sun rise and we are deliquescing
you linger on stone-heaps, between homes.
 

A. Fure published in  'The Meeting' reading and writing through John Clare Simon Kovesi