A fungus is unique in that it is neither a plant nor an animal – fungi are in a kingdom all of their own. Technically, they are more closely related to animals than to plants. 

There is an unknown and hidden world to fungi, which we are still discovering - there are thought to be over 15,000 species of fungi in the UK, of which only a third produce fruiting bodies (the visible, above ground part of the fungus). 

Underground is a whole hidden world and network of the fungi called mycelium which is structured similarly to roots, the individual strands (hyphae) reaching out through the soil.  You may have seen this part of the fungus before on mouldy food – as a fuzzy growth! Some fungi are also part of mutual underground networks with plants, called mycorrhizal fungi. These webs help plants to absorb water and nutrients into their roots which would usually be too far to reach!

They are vital to many ecosystems, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and breaking down organic matter, forming a key component of healthy soils. Some plants are also reliant on mycorrhizal fungi for accessing nutrients and water, alongside aiding better soil health and even carbon capture. They are also a food source for animals and people – for instance, yeast is a single celled fungus and is used as a basis for many of our everyday foods. Some have even been found to be able to break down plastics and hydrocarbons, with research being undertaken into their potential for cleaning up our messes including oil spills and plastic pollution.

We can help conserve and encourage fungi through several methods – 

• Avoid disturbing their habitat or removing them. Try not to remove deadwood or cause any damage to the surroundings when trying to identify fungi. If foraging, only do so responsibly.
• Leave parts of your garden undisturbed – leaf litter, deadwood and fallen twigs and logs make brilliant habitat for fungi as well as a large range of other species
• Reduce the use of chemicals and fertilisers in our gardens, parks and agriculture – many fungi thrive from unimproved and nutrient-poor soils.
• Join a local fungi group or citizen science group to identify and record fungi!

The best time to find fungi is usually in autumn or spring, as milder and wetter weather comes in, although there are species growing all year round. The two best habitats to explore are grassland and woodland. 

Kingcombe Meadows and Powerstock Common are stand-out nature reserves in Dorset for exploring and hunting for fungi – with a list of over 500 species recorded. The large variation in geology and habitat at Kingcombe Meadows encourages the growth of a wide range of different types of fungi – it’s especially good for finding waxcaps which prefer unimproved grasslands. 

Bracketts Coppice is a beautiful woodland reserve in West Dorset, perfect for spotting bracket fungi, fly agaric, puffballs and jelly ear. Kilwood in Purbeck also has a similar appeal, with dense woodland and damp unimproved grasslands. 

With its unique habitats and protected ecosystem, Brownsea Island is another brilliant place to spot fungi – but you’ll need to get your visit in quickly as boats to the island stop at the beginning of November! 

Interested in learning more about how to spot and identify different species of fungi? Why not sign up for our limited-time free seven-day course, delivered straight to your inbox?

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