Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Fungi season reveals the role of fungi in Anglesey’s dunes
Fungi season has begun in Wales, marked by an annual hunt at Bangor University’s Treborth Botanic Garden.
This year, 225 participants found more than 200 species in 90 minutes.
On Anglesey, fungi also grow in the sand dunes at Aberffraw, where some species are highly specialised.
Marram grass is the only plant that can stabilise sand and build tall dunes, but it needs fungi to help it draw nutrients from the sand.
Dune brittlestems grow among the marram and break down its dying roots, returning material the grass can use.
Other fungi help supply nutrients, and the term “funga” is gaining recognition alongside flora and fauna.
An annual fungus foray at Bangor University’s Treborth Botanic Garden found more than 200 species in 90 minutes.
On Anglesey, fungi grow in the island’s sand dunes, where they help marram grass access nutrients and recycle its roots.
At Aberffraw Dunes, recent finds included fairy rings of parasols and champignon, as well as dune brittlestems growing with marram.
The article says fungi are being recognised alongside flora and fauna through the use of the word “funga”.
- Who
- Nigel Brown writes about fungi found by forayers and on Anglesey.
- What
- The story describes the range of fungi in Anglesey’s dunes and their role in supporting marram grass.
- When
- Fungi season has begun; the article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Treborth Botanic Garden at Bangor University and Aberffraw Dunes on Anglesey, Wales.
- Why
- Dune fungi help marram obtain minerals and nutrients and decompose roots for recycling.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
At last, fungi are being given the status they deserve.
The annual fungus foray at Treborth Botanic Garden found more than 200 species in 90 minutes.
Brown and others found fairy rings and other fungi at Aberffraw Dunes.
The word “funga” was adopted by the Cambridge Dictionary and negotiating parties at the forthcoming Cop17 conference.
- Species at foray
- More than 200
- Foray duration
- 90 minutes
- Foray participants
- 225
- Dune location
- Aberffraw, on Anglesey’s west coast
- Marram grass
- Ammophila arenaria
- Dune brittlestem
- Psathyrella ammophila
Sources
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