Fungi Friday 🍄

Dartmoor National Park, Devon, May 2023

To celebrate the 1-year anniversary of me seeing this lichen, well, here it is!

I was on a walk around the river Dart at the picturesque Dartmeet, feeling rather hangry actually, when we stopped by the river. Most people visiting the area don’t get beyond the car park and old bridge, such is honey pot life. Walking further into the woodland you can find scraggy oaks where the river widens.

This is a good place for small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies in June, and birds like pied flycatcher that favour these western oak woodlands.

It’s also very good for lichens!

I found this lovely clump of Usnea florida, one of the most striking beard lichens.

The habitat is really sensitive around here so tread as lightly as you can and avoid stepping on tree roots and bluebells.

It has that rather ‘alien’ look about it.

Thanks for reading.