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New mushroom discovered in ancient Danish forest
Christian Wenande
November 24th, 2015
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This article is more than 9 years old.
Entoloma pluteisimilis has been found growing in two forests in Zealand
Entoloma pluteisimilis is extremely rare in Europe (photo: Tobias Bøllingtoft)
The mushroom Entoloma pluteisimilis has been found growing in two separate locations in Denmark in the space of just two days, according to the University of Copenhagen (KU).
The mushroom, which is brown and grows to about 5 cm in height, was initially found in Gribskov Forest in north Zealand, before being documented growing in Suserup Forest in mid-Zealand, one of Denmark’s oldest and most untouched forests.
“The mushroom was found in an area of Gribskov which has birch trees dating back from 1778,” said Jacob Heilmann-Clausen, a professor at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at KU.
“It is known for growing on rotting trees in natural forests so it is fantastic that some our untouched forest areas in Denmark is now the home to such a rare species.”
READ MORE: It’s official: Denmark has a new mushroom
Warmer climate
Until now, the rare mushroom has only be reported in few areas in Europe, such as in Spain, Italy and Hungary.
It is yet unknown why the mushroom has suddenly appeared in the Danish landscape, but Heilmann-Clausen speculated that climate change could be at the heart of the reason.
“Many species are moving north in Europe as the climate is getting warmer, so that could be an explanation,” he said. “But the mushroom could have been in Denmark in the past and has returned as some parts of our forests have become wilder.”
It’s the second discovery of a new species of mushroom in Denmark in recent months following the discovery of Cortinarius Koldingensishas on the forest floor of Marieskovlunden near Kolding in southern Jutland.
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