A new fungus for Northern Ireland, originating in Madagascar, has been discovered in County Armagh.
The find was unearthed in December in Peatlands Park, outside Dungannon, by County Armagh Wildlife Society member Peter Guy.
The Northern Ireland Fungus Group has confirmed that the new fungus species is Orange Porecap: Favolaschia claudopus.
Originating in Madagascar, it then went on to colonise in New Zealand, having most probably transferred into the country with commercial timber.
The fungus has since spread rapidly across the globe, with sightings having been reported in places such as Devon, Cornwall and Cork.
To date, Peatlands Park is the most northernly location recorded in Britain and Ireland.
This type of fungus is described as saprophytic, meaning that it lives on dead wood.
It is most likely to be found in dark damp woodland places and the orange caps appear in late summer or autumn. It is not yet known how this newly introduced fungus will interact with our native fungal species.
It is one of many invasive alien species that have arrived recently in Northern Ireland and experts presume that this may reflect our modern high volume global transport systems and climate change.
Commenting on the discovery, Peter Guy said: “I found this fungus by pure chance. I’ve a good knowledge of most types of fungi occurring in Peatlands Park, so when I spotted the bright orange colour on some dead wood I knew this was one I hadn’t seen before. It was one of those ‘wow’ moments.”
