A fungus never previously recorded in the UK has sprung up in a nature reserve in West Sussex, delighting enthusiasts and encouraging environmentalists.
The blue-based earthtongue, also known as Microglossum cyanobasis, was spotted by Liz Frost, a fungi enthusiast who was walking through Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, which is north of Chichester.
She said: “I was so excited to stumble upon this extraordinary tiny, delicate tongue-shaped fungus while exploring at Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
“Little did I know, I had just made the first-ever UK sighting of the blue-based earthtongue.”
The species, which resembles pale tongues protruding up from the ground, was first discovered in Spain – almost 20 years ago – but this is the first time it’s been found in Britain.
On the first day she spotted them, she counted six fruiting bodies, but when she returned the following day, she found another 12, she told the BBC.
Kingley Vale Nature Reserve, on the South Downs, contains some of the most significant ancient yew forests in Europe, with some trees estimated to be more than 500 years old and said to be some of the oldest living things in Britain.
Experts said the earthtongue fungus would be easy to miss due to it being small and well-camouflaged.
Fully extended, the tongues stand at just around 4.5-5cm high and have delicate, fragile stems.
The species is notable for its subtle bluish-green colour, particularly near the base. This hue is unusual among fungi and has been a key factor enabling experts to distinguish it from similar species.
The species partly gets its name from cyanobasis, meaning blue base.
Following Ms Frost’s discovery, she posted pictures of the specimens on the British Mycological Society’s Facebook group, and it was then suggested it could be Microglossum cyanobasis by the same person who made the Spanish discovery of the species.
However, to ensure verification, the society supported DNA sequencing tests, which showed a 99 per cent match with the Spanish sample.
Rachel Guy, manager of Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve for Natural England, said: “The discovery of the Earthtongue fungus shows off high-quality habitats and highlights the value of our 224 National Nature Reserves in England. These special places of exceptional ecological value are a credit to everyone who looks after them.”
She added: “The presence of the fungus signals undisturbed, nutrient-poor grasslands and long-established woodland soils. These environments are becoming increasingly rare due to fertilisation, drainage, ploughing, and land-use change.”
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