Fungi / Fungais
Neither plant nor animal, fungi are in a kingdom of their own; but as they can’t make their own food, like plants do, they are more closely related to animals. The majority of the fungi is found in the soil, this is called mycelium and is a thread-like network which can spread for miles underground. Fungi form mycorrhizal associations with hosts (links between the fungi and plant roots to share nutrients). What we see above ground is the fruiting bodies of the fungus. In the right conditions toadstools and mushrooms break through the surface of the soil and release spores which allow the fungi to reproduce.
In Castlewellan there are grassland related species present. These fungi, known as Waxcaps are particularly sensitive to nutrient enrichment from agricultural practises. This also includes any disturbance of the soil through tillage. Once disturbance has occurred it can take many years for the fungi to recover, because of this there are very few areas left rich in Waxcap diversity. Within Castlewellan Forest Park the area of parkland South of the Castle has been described as at least Nationally Important, if not Internationally important for grassland fungi. Waxcap fungi produce brightly coloured mushrooms with wide spacing gills and a waxy/slippery cap.
