Found by Keith Blackmore . Kew Accession Number K(M)165961. 16 May 2010 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Synonymns Clavaria vernalis, Clavulinopsis vernalis Fruiting Body Club shaped, slender, smooth, cream to bright orange, stem white, to about 2 cm tall. Specimens dry dark orange, with a small white spot at the tip. Flesh Firm, rubbery Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season Spring Distribution Very rare Habitat In large trooping groups on bare peaty soil with algae. According to the literature the species is normally restricted to arcto-alpine habitats. The other British collections are from the Shetland Islands, and the Outer Hebrides. Microscopic Features Spores sausage shaped, smooth (8-12) x (2.5-3.5) µm2. Basidia slenderly club shaped, sterigma prominant, 4 spored. Edibility Unknown Notes The specimens shown were found by Keith Blackmore of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust. They were formally identified by Dr. Brian Spooner at Kew, confirming this as the first English collection. I am grateful to Nick Legon who first suggested that the fungus shown might belong to the Multiclavula genus. 
16 May 2010 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
16 May 2010 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |