Nature Conservation Agency reports that a new species of fungi was found in Slītere National Park – Irpicodon pendulus. This is the first time this species of fungi was found in Latvia.
Yellowish mushroom, reminiscent of a filigree jabbing with teeth, was found by Nature Conservation Agency specialists Ritvars Rekmanis and local resident Pēteris Dambergs. The species of fungi was confirmed by mycologists Ivars Leimanis and Diāna Meiere. For this new species of fungi to be included on the list of Latvian fungi, it is necessary to take a sample and deliver it to Latvian Museum of Natural History.
“I discovered the new species of fungi accidentally, while walking on the animal trail. Together with other participants, we noticed an unusual puffiness on the trunk of a pine on a bout 2 m height. I’ve never seen such a species of fungi, so I took multiple photos. We then searched for images of similar fungi on the internet, me and Pēteris Dambergs. I couldn’t find a Latvian name for it, so I thought it might be a species yet undiscovered in Latvia. I sent the photos to two mycology experts. They then identified the exact species of fungi that it is,” says Nature Conservation Agency Slītere National Park nature education specialist Ritvars Rekmanis.
This species was first mentioned by Czech mycologist Zdeněk Pouzar 1966. This particular species fungi is normally found in Scandinavian countries – Sweden and Norway. They have also been found in Canada, Scotland, USA, Russia, Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Switzerland and Poland. The number sightings in these countries in small, because this species of fungi usually form high on a tree trunk or its branches. It usually grows on dead common pine wood. It can be found on living trees as well, however.
According to reports on the internet,
it has been found in Estonia three times so far. No information is available for Lithuania.
Photo: Wolfgang Piepers, naturgucker.de/FlickrNature Conservation Agency reminds: although the protected territory’s total area has changed over the years, Slītere National Park celebrates on 100 year anniversary this year. This park is one of the oldest especially protected nature territories in Latvia.
Also read: Earthquakes in Iceland weaken but volcano warning remains
Follow us on Facebook and X!