Canna an 'internationally important' island for fungi
13:52 10th November 2010
The National Trust for Scotland-owned island of Canna has been found to be an internationally important site for waxcap fungi.
It is nestled in the Inner Hebrides off the coast of the Scottish mainland and a recent survey turned up a total of 18 species of waxcap.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the discovery was made by trainee mycologist Ali Murfitt, who was taking part in a British Conservation Trust for Volunteers, NTS and Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh study of plant life on the island.
"The grasslands of Canna are extremely important because they have such a good selection of waxcaps," explained Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh spokesman Roy Watling.
"If you find 13 types of waxcap you've got a site of international importance, but Ali has found 18."
Other discoveries include the prevalence of the smut fungi Entyloma and coral fungi on the island, which is famed for its wildflowers and sea bird colonies.
Meanwhile, the RHS recently reported that a new study of England's wildlife reserves concluded that they are too small and isolated to be properly beneficial.
