The Violet Coral fungi, in line with its name, closely resembles underwater coral. Its branching, finger-like projections grow out of a thick stem. Each branch divides at the end into a shallow fork with blunt tips. The fruiting body ranges from 5 to 10 cm tall and is generally about 8cm across. Although generally a vibrant purple colour, the fungus does fade with age, becoming more grey-brown.
The UK has two known species of Violet Coral: Clavaria amethystina and Clavaria violaceopulchra. Until recently, the UK was believed to have a single Violet coral species (Clavaria zollingeri), however new DNA evidence showed that actually two species are present. Research is ongoing into the distributions of the two species across the UK.
Violet Coral fungi are rare species, with not many known sites in Scotland. They are typically confined to unimproved grasslands (i.e. haven’t been fertilised or ploughed) and are an indicator of a long-term healthy grassland habitat. To grow they needs old unfertilised grasslands in mycologically rich but nutrient-poor, acidic soil.
Photo: © Trevor Dines / Plantlife
Action Needed
Provide legal protections for the Violet Coral’s grassland habitat from inappropriate development and land use change.
The design of the agri-environment scheme being developed must provide targeted incentives and advisory support for more farmers and crofters to continue or adapt their management practices to support important fungi habitats.
Provide additional support and resources to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), to allow appropriate updates to SSSI criteria, monitoring of existing important sites, and designate new fungi SSSIs.
Threats
The destruction of habitat and decline of the Violet Corals habitat quality are major issues. The main causes are:
- Environmentally damaging agricultural practices through the use of fertilisers, pesticides, ploughing and agricultural intensification.
- Inappropriate development and afforestation can result in habitat destruction.
- Pollution from airborne nitrogen deposition and agricultural run-off can change a habitat’s structure and function, for example, through changes in soil chemistry.
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