Fantastic fungi finds on Devon nature reserves

Two rare and distinctive fungi species have been spotted on Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves in one week.

Hazel gloves (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) fungus can be found in hazel woodland in western Britain. It was recorded for the first time at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Vealand Farm nature reserve, near Holsworthy, this week. Likened in appearance to miniature rubber gloves, this fungus sometimes grows on blackthorn, but is primarily found on hazel. Hence the name ‘hazel gloves’, though in Sweden it is known as ‘trollhand.’

The fungus was found by DWT reserves assistant Adam Rhodes, who said: “We were delighted to spot hazel gloves on a hedgerow at Vealand Farm as it’s really rare – it’s classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN.”

Devon and Cornwall are the most important areas in England for this fungus as it specialises in Atlantic hazel woods. Hazel gloves was considered by Natural England ten years ago to be possibly on the verge of extinction in the UK, as there had been no records for more than 35 years.

It’s not the easiest fungus to see, as Adam explained: “Hazel gloves might be under-recorded as it’s usually found up in the tree canopy – so to see it on a hedgerow was a double surprise.”

The other fungi find was a true exotic, as its original home is on the other side of the world. Clathrus archeri rejoices in two striking common names: ‘devil’s fingers’ and ‘octopus stinkhorn.’ Its vivid colours and tentacle-like shape make it unmistakeable to the eye – while its distinctive rotting odour makes it even more memorable. Like the native common stinkhorn, this fungus emits a foul scent to attract flies to help spread its spores.

Native to Australia and New Zealand, devil’s fingers was first recorded in England in Cornwall a century ago. How does a fungus travel round the world? In boxes of military equipment shipped to the south-west from the Antipodes early in the First Word War is one theory.

Already recorded once this autumn at DWT Dart Valley nature reserve on Dartmoor, it was seen again by journalist Lucy Purdy at the weekend on a walk from Poundsgate. Lucy described her find: “I spotted this amazing, sea-creature like fungus on Dartmoor, so I read up about it and found the name ‘devil’s fingers’.”

Also known as ‘octopus stinkhorn’, as the fungus grows it can assume a shape that’s even more like a starfish than an octopus. But how prominent was the ‘stink’ of this stinkhorn? “I can confirm the rotting flesh stench” said Lucy.

Mid-December is fairly late in the year for fungi forays but the mild autumn has led to later sightings of some species in 2014.

DWT’s nature reserves at Vealand Farm and Dart Valley are both open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year