Country diary: Fungi season is here, so I head – yes – to the beach | Nigel Brown
Fungi season has arrived in Anglesey, marked by a successful foray at Bangor University's Treborth Botanic Garden that identified over 200 species. The article highlights the ecological importance of fungi in the Aberffraw Dunes, where they assist marram grass in stabilizing sand and recycling nutrients. Additionally, the term 'funga' has recently gained official recognition in dictionaries and climate negotiations, reflecting the growing appreciation for fungal ecosystems.
- ▪A foray at Treborth Botanic Garden identified more than 200 fungal species in 90 minutes, including the rare orange ping-pong bat fungus.
- ▪Dune brittlestem fungi are essential for the survival of marram grass in the Aberffraw Dunes by decomposing roots and recycling nutrients.
- ▪The word 'funga' has been adopted by the Cambridge Dictionary and Cop17 negotiators as a term equivalent to flora and fauna.
- ▪Climate change is linked to the rapid global spread of the orange ping-pong bat fungus, which was first recorded in the UK in 2012.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — Science |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/12/country-diary-fungi-season-is-here-so-i-head-yes-to-the-beach |
| Publication time | Mon, 12 Oct 2026 04:30:45 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-10-12T05:08:14.496Z |
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Dune brittlestem fungi among marram grass at Aberffraw Dunes. Photograph: Caroline BrownView image in fullscreenDune brittlestem fungi among marram grass at Aberffraw Dunes. Photograph: Caroline BrownCountry diaryCoastlinesCountry diary: Fungi season is here, so I head – yes – to the beachAberffraw, Ynys Môn (Anglesey): Plenty of fungi can be found among the sand here; in fact it is vital to keeping the dunes at bayNigel BrownMon 12 Oct 2026 00.30 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleDapperlings and toughshanks, bonnets and brittlegills, bird’s nests and fairy clubs. Fungi season has begun, and for me it is heralded by the “fungus foray” held at Bangor University’s Treborth Botanic Garden.
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