A rare fungus has been spotted in an East Anglian park for the first time by a Suffolk woman.
Favolaschia Calocera also known as Orange Ping Pong Bat Fungus, was discovered by fungi enthusiast Astrid Ivy Martin, 44, whilst walking through Orwell Park.
The fungus originates from Madagascar and has been spotted in the UK on a number of occasions since 2012 where it was thought to have made the 9,000 kilometre journey on imported wood.
Ms Martin, a teacher from Ipswich, is the founder of The ReWilding Path, a group that supports free community nature workshops and walks amongst the Suffolk hedgerows.
It was on one of these walks where the 44-year old made the discovery.
"So whilst leading a fungi walk in my favourite woods, Orwell Country Park, we found a non native species of rare fungi that’s never been recorded in East Anglia before.
"I knew it was unusual as soon as I saw it but not that it was a first record.
"A sample was given to our local county recorder at the museum and hopefully time will tell how it fits into our environment."
The fungi is very small, with some spores only measuring a few millimetres, and fruits into a distinctive shape akin to a ping pong bat.
Wildlife Rangers from Ipswich Borough Council took a sample and recorded the specimen, which in some countries is seen to be invasive, but is hoped it will blend in with the existing fungal life in the area.
As the spores are so little, not much is known about nutritional value or the edibility of the fungi and it is not believed to be poisonous.
No fungi that grows in the UK is poisonous to the touch, poisonous fungus have to be ingested to cause harm to humans.
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