Important fungi findings at Burton Dassett Hills

Following a request from our Grassland Specialist Ranger Ben, Warwickshire Fungi Group visited Burton Dassett Hills on November 3rd, 2024, to survey for grassland fungi, particularly those that indicate a high-quality grassland habitat. This was the first comprehensive survey of the site in over 40 years.

The group was amazed to find 23 CHEGD grassland indicator species. CHEGD stands for the key fungi groups present: Clavarioids (spindles, club and coral fungi), Hygrocybe (waxcaps), Entoloma (pinkgills), Geoglossum and relatives (earthtongues), and Dermoloma (crazed caps). The discovery of thirteen waxcap species makes the site nationally important and potentially one of the best sites for grassland fungi in the Midlands. Waxcaps are often brightly colored with waxy or slippery caps and thick gills. They are primarily saprophytic, feeding on dissolved organic matter, though some may be associated with mosses like Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata). Notably, the survey recorded Cuphophyllus colemanniana (Toasted Waxcap) for the first time in Warwickshire.

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  Golden Waxcap

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  Parrot Waxcap

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  Ivy Coral

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  Scarlet Waxcap

These "waxcap grasslands" have suffered significant losses across the UK due to agricultural intensification and nitrogen pollution. Almost 90% of waxcap species are listed as threatened in Europe, highlighting the importance of sites like Burton Dassett. Britain holds more of these valuable grasslands than any other European country, emphasising their conservation significance. These fungal communities thrive in grasslands that are not agriculturally improved (no fertilising or liming), often with abundant moss, particularly Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, and kept short in the autumn through grazing.

Given the remarkable results of the survey, efforts will be made to ensure the conservation of this precious habitat at Burton Dassett, protecting and enhancing this nationally important fungal assemblage.