Liverworts
The variety of liverworts is limited by the same factors that produce a restricted
moss flora. So far I have records of just six species. Marchantia polymorpha was
abundant on the burnt and disturbed area in 1977, forming mats of thalli of up to one
square metre. Its abundance was short-lived and by 1979 it was rather uncommon.
Lophocolea heterophylla is said to be the commonest ephiphyte in Essex (34), occurring
well into polluted areas.
Calypogeia fissa Lophocolea heterophylla
Cephalozia bicuspidata Marchantia polymorpha
Gymnocolea inflata Pellia epiphylla
Lichens
It is well established that lichens are susceptible to pollution, in particular to
sulphur compounds. Lords Bushes is surrounded by urban development and with in-
dustrial areas in close proximity, so it is no surprise that I have recorded just five species
of lichen (though it is likely further, less conspicuous, species will be recorded).
Because of the pollution, Lords Bushes lacks any of the species associated with
ancient woodland such as Parmelia revoluta. On the Pulpit Oak (probably the oldest
tree in Lords Bushes) I have been able to record only Lepraria incana on the trunk; in a
low pollution area this tree would undoubtedly be covered in lichens of many species.
Excluding saxicolous species, the following were recorded for Lords Bushes in
1979. Nomenclature follows Hawksworth, D. L., James, P. W. & Coppins, B. J. (32).
Cladonia coniocraea Fairly common on the lower trunks of trees including beech and silver birch, also on
decaying logs.
Cladonia rangiformis Found only on the ground by pond P2.
Hypogymnia physodes Uncommon, only a single immature thallus noted on Silver Birch.
Lecanora conizaeoides Common, noted on oak.
Lepraria incana Common, noted on many trees of a variety of species.
Fungi (by G. Kibby)
Lords Bushes as a whole is quite different in character from most of Epping Forest
and a lot smaller, as well as more limited in the variety of habitats. As a consequence the
mycological flora is a lot more restricted in terms of species, although in a good year the
wood can be very productive of fruit bodies.
The recent major fires which swept the woodland during and after the drought of
1976, plus the subsequent removal of a large number of the trees, has presented an
unparalleled opportunity to study the advent of carbonicolous species and the change in
overall flora as the woodland regenerates. Within the first year following the fire, vast
numbers of typical burnt area species began making their appearance. Most notable
were the thousands of fruit-bodies of Pholiota highlandensis ( = carbonaria pp.) in-
cluded among which were several clumps of what appear to be a closely related but
clearly different species. A confident determination was not possible at the time
although it seems likely to have been the true P. carbonaria known from a few other sites
in Britain. Further collections are needed to be certain.
Daldinia concentrica, a hard black pyrenomycete, also appeared in large numbers
and this seems to specialise in scorched birch trees, pushing its way through cracks in
the bark.
Not included on the list, and indeed not seen again since a large number of fruit
bodies appeared in 1972, is a bolete close to erythropus but with a pitch black cap and
deepest red pores which is as yet undescribed although it has been illustrated by Pilat
(56), It was growing on the central path which divides Lords bushes and Knighton woods
45