The
grassy slopes on the embankments of Llanishen reservoir have been found to support
significant populations of rare waxcap fungi. One of these, the pink waxcap
Hygrocybe calyptriformis, is so threatened that it has been singled
out as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Other rare species such
as the crimson waxcap (H. punicea) are also present in large numbers.
Waxcap fungi are important in conservation terms because they are indicators of high quality unimproved grassland habitats. In fact, these are often known as waxcap grasslands. Although waxcap fungi were once common, they are very intolerant of any chemical fertilisers, and as most of our countryside is now treated with fertilisers to increase yields, waxcaps are becoming increasingly rare. This is true throughout Europe, and H. calyptriformis is listed in the European red data book as an endangered species. Although, waxcaps like nutrient-poor grasslands, they also prefer grazed meadows where the grass is short. Obviously the reservoir embankments are not grazed, but the relatively frequent mowing of the grass has a similar effect to grazing.
So
far 29 species of waxcap have been found in the grasslands surrounding the
reservoir. This is an impressive array and means that the site qualifies
as one of international importance for waxcap fungi. In September 2005 the
Countryside Council for Wales notified the embankments of both Llanishen and
Lisvane reservoirs as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for grassland
fungi.
Waxcap fungi are very attractive and many of them are bright colours such as red and yellow. Unfortunately, only a few of them have common names (as opposed to Latin, scientific names). For any fungi officiniados, the following species have been recorded at the reservoir:
Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens Haller
Hygrocybe calyptriformis (Berk)Fayod
Hygrocybe cantharellus (Schwein.) Murrill
Hygrocybe ceracea (Wulfen:Fr)Kummer
Hygrocybe chlorophana (Fr:Fr)Wünsche
Hygrocybe citrinovirens (J.E. Lange) Jul. Schäff.
Hygrocybe coccinea (Sch:Fr)Kummer
Hygrocybe colemanniana (A. Bloxam) P.D. Orton & Watling
Hygrocybe conica (Scop:Fr)Kummer
Hygrocybe flavipes (Britzelm.) Arnolds 1989
Hygrocybe fornicata (Fr.) Singer
Hygrocybe glutinipes var. glutinipes (J.E. Lange) R. Haller Aar.
Hygrocybe ingrata J.L. Jensen & F.H. Møller 1945
Hygrocybe insipida (J.E. Lange ex S. Lundell) M.M. Moser 1967
Hygrocybe intermedia (Pass.) Fayod
Hygrocybe irrigata (Pers.) M.M. Moser
Hygrocybe laeta var. laeta (Pers.) P. Kumm.
Hygrocybe lacma (Schumach.) P.D. Orton & Watling
Hygrocybe mucronella (Fr.) P. Karst.
Hygrocybe persistens (Britzelm.) Singer (=Hygrocybe persistens var. persistens)
Hygrocybe pratensis (Per:Fr)Bon
Hygrocybe psittacina (Sch:Fr)Kummer
Hygrocybe punicea (Fr:Fr)Kummer
Hygrocybe quieta (Kühner)Singer
Hygrocybe reidii Kühner
Hygrocybe russocoriacea (Berk. & Mill.{?}) P.D. Orton & Watling
Hygrocybe splendidissima (P.D. Orton) P.D. Orton & Watling
Hygrocybe virginea (Wulfen)Orton & Watling
Hygrocybe virginea var. fuscescens (Bres.) Arnolds 1986
If you would like to find out more about waxcap fungi, the following websites are of interest:
UK Biodiversity Action Plan for the pink waxcap (Hygrocybe calyptriformis)
University of Wales, Aberystwyth waxcap website
