Island of Canna internationally important for fungi

A small Scottish island has been found to be of international importance in terms of the fungi it supports.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), a British Conservation Trust for Volunteers, NTS and Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh study into Canna’s plant life uncovered some interesting findings.

Ali Murfitt, a trainee mycologist who was part of the team conducting the survey, recorded 18 different species of waxcap fungi during his expedition.

"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."

The Inner Hebrides island was also found to be home to coral fungi and the smut fungi Entyloma – both of which thrive in nutrient-stripped grasslands.

In other news, the RHS reported that human behaviour could be responsible for the decline in pollinators in the UK.