This had mild milk which stained a handerchief yellow. Russula luteotacta
with a plain red cap and a pinkish stipe which slowly stained yellow occurred
in Great Leighs.
The numbers of species found in these churchyards varied from 0 to 18.
More species appeared to be found in the churchyards east of Chelmsford
compared to the area to the west. According to the maps in the Flora of
Essex (21) soil texture varies in a N-S direction. However the outcrops of
chalky boulder clay do vary along an E-W transect across the area (21).
Maybe the soil pH due to the mineral nature of the soil and the degree of
leaching varies significantly. Fungi prefer to grow in an acid pH. There is a
mean annual rainfall gradient across the area which appears to amount to at
least one inch more rain in the west compared to the east (21). However
the amount of sulphur dioxide in acid rain is inversely proportional to the
amount of rainfall. Consequently the eastern area could be more acid for
this reason. Alternatively the effect of pollution may be due to the nitrogen
oxides in acid rain increasing the nitrogen levels in the soil, thereby naturally
improving the grassland. This effect would depend upon the natural
nitrogen levels already present across the area. High nitrate levels in soil
are thought to reduce diversity, and these could vary owing to rainfall,
drainage, pollution and leaching effects. A slight gradient exists in average
daily temperatures with the western area possibly 0.1 °C cooler than the
eastern one (21). The altitude varies with Danbury churchyard being situated
near the top of the highest ridge in essex (400 feet approximately).
Local factors may affect individual churchyards. Ulting is located directly on
the bank of the River Chelmer. Danbury is on the highest point in essex.
Widford is located at the side of the A12 on the edge of Chelmsford. London
road cemetery is situated inside the town area. Blackmore had been mown
shortly before my visit. Willingale churchyard surrounds two churches.
Chignall St James church is now a private house.
Four churchyards contained over nine species of fungi:- Little Leighs,
Broomfield, Galleywood and Danbury. It is interesting to note that little
Leighs contains some unusual flowering plants ie Thymus pulegioides L.
and Succisa pratensis Moench as well as seven species of wax cap
including Hygrocybe calyptraeformis. This species is likely to become
endangered nationally in the near future if the causal agents of its decline
are not removed or reduced (22). This site should be carefully conserved.
Broomfield churchyard contains Saxifraga granulata L. as well as the rare
fungus Agaricus pseudopratensis var. niveus. This fungus needs to be
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