confirmed by the experts at Kew as it is not on the British list. The birch
trees in Danbury churchyards exhibit a mycorrhizal relationship with Amanita
species. These trees need conservation in order to ensure the survival of
the beautiful and rare Amanita crocea in one of its few sites in southern
England The presence of the bracket fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii in
Galleywood churchyard reflecs the greater abundance of coniferous trees in
Essex churchyards compared to natural Essex woodlands. The infected
larch is likely to die as a result of the attentions of this pathogen However it
is a beautiful fungus not frequently found in our county. It is hoped the the
management of these four churchyards in particular will be sympathetic to
the needs of their fungal inhabitants, for instance host trees could be
preserved (unless a danger to the building or the public); no fertilizers should
be applied to improved the grassland; no weed killers should be used, and
the frequency of mowing could be low during the autumn months when
growth of grass is slower anyway.
An additional winter survey was carried out from 23 December 1993 to 26
January 1994. Thirty four churchyards were visited including nine new sites
which were not surveyed in the autumn.
Fourteen species were recorded of which eight were not observed during
September to November 1993. Again the more easterly sites provided the
most records.
Notable amongst the winter species found was an earth star Geastrum
striatum in Roxwell churchyard which, although being one of the more
frequent earth stars, is still rare. The commonest winter species was Tubaria
furfuracea which occurred at fourteen sites.
A spring survey was carried out from 24 February 1994 to 26 May. Twenty
one churchyards were visited including five new sites not surveyed before.
Twenty four species were recorded of which twenty had not been seen in
the previous forays. The more easterly sites provided the greatest number of
records, as had been observed in the autumn and winter investigations.
Some of the species had been overlooked before and were not specifically
spring fungi eg the puffball, the cramp balls and the various bracket fungi.
The commonest spring species was Panaeolus ater occurring in seven sites.
A number of uncommon species appeared including Agrocybe cylindrica on
a dead stump at Fyfield, Conocybe subovalis which was most plentiful at
Terling in grassland and Entoloma plebejum at Danbury and Galleywood
The number of visits was not recored this time.
The first week of the summer prouced some very early records and
promises to be a prelude to a good season. A preliminary list is added,
42