New red data book species for Little Leighs churchyard
Tony Boniface 40 Pentland Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4AZ
On the 8th November 2004 1 led a foray to Fryerning and Little Leighs churchyards. We
found nine species of waxcap fungi at Fryerning which equals the largest number pre-
viously found in one visit confirming its status as a site of regional importance. The list
included Hygrocybe fornicata or earthy waxcap and Hygrocybe quieta or oily waxcap
both of which are new records for this site. We also found Hygrocybe virginea var
ochraceopallida, H. irrigata, H. chlorophana, H. coccinea, H. pratensis var pratensis,
II. calyptriformis and H. ceracea. The number of waxcaps now recorded for this site is
fifteen. We also recorded a large number of Clavariadelphus fistulosus on twigs . This
rare club fungus is tall and then gradually widens towards the apices of these brown
fruiting bodies. This was also a new record for Fryerning churchyard.
Little Leighs churchyard excelled its reputation as a site of national importance for
waxcaps. Thirteen species were found on this single visit which equals the number
previously found here, but the list included a new Red Data book species called
Hygrocybe spadicea var spadicea or the Date waxcap. This is similar in size to the
Pink waxcap or H. calyptriformis, fragile, with yellow gills and stalk and a brown cap
with radiating streaks of yellow. I sent the specimen to Kew and Alick Henrici con-
firmed my identification. This species is also a new record for Essex. The other twelve
species were //. pratensis var pratensis, H, virginea var ochraceopallida H. psittacina
var psittacina, H. irrigata, H reidii. H. quieta, H. coccinea, H. ceracea, H. punicea, H.
mucronella, H. calyptriformis and H. chlorophana. The total number of waxcap spe-
cies now recorded for this site is twenty. We also recorded the Hairy Earthtongue or
Trichoglossum hirsutum for the first time here. Little Leighs churchyard is truly a site of
great value to be treasured by parishioners and naturalists alike. The grass is being
regularly mown and the cuttings removed with the help of an annual grant of £250 from
the Chelmsford local group of the Essex Wildlife Trust; also no fertilisers or pesticides
are being applied so that the site is being managed to conserve these fungi at present.
New site of national importance for waxcap fungi
Tony Boniface 40 Pentland Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4AZ
On the 11th November 2004 Charles and Shirley Watson led a fungus foray to Hatfield
Forest. We concentrated on unimproved grasslands within an area of one square
kilometre in TL 5420 and TL 5321. Thirteen species of waxcap fungi were definitely
identified on this single visit, which makes this site the second one of national
importance now known in Essex.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 46, January 2005
27