A Site Of Importance For Fungi

The embankments of Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoir are of special interest for their significant populations of grassland fungi, particularly the rare waxcaps and earthtongues.

Waxcap fungi thrive in short turf on undisturbed soils that are low in nutrients. They grow best on land that has not been ploughed or artificially fertilised and our reservoir embankments provide these ideal conditions. Waxcap fungi are very attractive and many of them are bright colours. In autumn you’ll see red, pink, yellow and green waxcaps gleaming like jewels, nestled in the grass. Over twenty-five species of waxcap have been found in the grasslands surrounding the reservoir.

Earthtongues really do look like a small tongue emerging out of the ground. They’re usually dark and earthy in colour, ranging from olive green to brown and black, and you’ll see them among the grass stems late in autumn, from November onwards. There are around thirty different species of earthtongues in the UK and we have at least seven here at Lisvane & Llanishen.

The fungi also prefer grazed meadows where the grass is short and so the relatively frequent mowing of the grass has a similar effect to grazing. Vegetation clearance has been undertaken across the site and most of it is now being managed by mowing. The reduction in shade and leaf-fall from removing the overhanging trees benefits the fungi near the fence.