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Macrofungi of Coastal Sand Dunes

Prince Edward Island is blessed with many costal sand dunes. Dune plant species, such as beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) and woolly beachheather (Hudsonia tomentosa), often get all the attention and credit for dune stabalization, however these dunes are also home to a great diversity of fungi that make it possible for those plants to thrive. Non-descript, hard to identify and growing where you do not normally look for mushrooms has resulted in this group of fungi being under reported in North America.


Please remember sand dunes are fragile ecosystems that are easily disturbed. Please do not walk on dunes. Walking on the dunes in the National Park is prohibited and will result in a fine.



Inventory effort since the fall of 2021 has improved our understanding of the rich diversity of coastal sand dune macrofungi, documenting 81 different species to date. This number will likely change as DNA sequences for submitted specimens are recieved.

Highlights

  • Hygrocybe jackmanii was docummented at Black Pond and currently known from only one other location in Labrador
  • Melanoleuca cinereifolia was documented for the first time in Canada and seems common on the foredunes, though DNA indicates this is likely a different species.
  • An undescribed Russula species, previously only known from Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick, was found in Prince Edward Island National Park and Hog Island
  • Several species are likely undescribed, others are significant range or habitat extensions

Reports

A Provisional Survey of the Macrofungi on Sand Dunes in Prince Edward Island National Park - 2022 Research Report for PEI NP

Key Species

Hygrocybe jackmanii
This colourful waxcap was described in 2015 from a single site in Labrador. This species is now known from two more locations on PEI: Black Pond and Basin Head. It grows typically in a bouquet like form on heath and grey dunes, specifically associated with Empetrum sp. (Crowberries) and potentially other heath plants. The DNA sequence can be viewed here.
Coprinopsis sp.
This elusive inky cap was first found at the front of the foredunes on South Rustico beach in 2022. This is likely an undescribed species and has been tricky to document as it fruits at night for just 5-10 days at the end of June. Growing on buried stems and leaves of Ammophila breviligulata (American Marram Grass), this mushroom has cup like volva's that fuse together with one another forming a bulb shaped base. The DNA sequence can be viewed here.
Russula sp.
This undescribed Russula species was first observed at Kouchibouguac National Park in 1986, by Greg Thorn, and was only known from this location. It has since been found at three locations on PEI, all sites that also support populations of Lechea maritima (Beach Pinweed), though growing with Hudsonia tomentosa (Woolly Beachheather). This species is part of the yellow clade and similiar to R. versicolor. The DNA sequence can be viewed here.


For the purposes of this inventory the coastal sand dunes on PEI have been broken into different habitat types based on vegetation and fungal observations. These habitats often intermingle, specially around blowouts or other changes in dune morphology.

foredunes
Foredunes
The Foredune stretches from the shore to the first parallel dune ridge. Characterized by dynamic sand and exposure to salt spray, it's primarily vegetated by Ammophila breviligulata (American Marram Grass). Foredunes on the south side of PEI are different and need further exploration, they may just be White dunes.
foredunes
Yellow Dunes
Yellow dunes lie inland from the foredune, primarily vegetated by Ammophila breviligulata (American Marram Grass) and Morella pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry). These dunes signify a transition from the dynamic foredune environment to more stable inland areas.
foredunes
Green Dunes
Green dunes represent semi-stable dunes, regularly influenced by blowing sand. They are primarily vegetated by Hudsonia tomentosa (Woolly Beachheather). The parabolic dune at Greenwich is an example of green dune.
foredunes
Grey Dunes
Grey dunes are characterized by their stability and a dense cover of Cladonia (Reindeer) lichens, along with Hudsonia, Empetrum (Crowberries), and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry). Black Pond is an example of grey dunes.
foredunes
Heath Dunes
Heath dunes are dominated by heath-type plants like Empetrum (Crowberries), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Vaccinium (Blueberries), Corema conradii (Broom Crowberry), and Hudsonia ericoides (Pine Barren Goldenheather). The east end of Hog Island and Basin Head are examples of heath dunes.
foredunes
Dune Slacks
Dune slacks are depressions within the dunes, often moist, supporting diverse vegetation including Vaccinium oxycoccos (Bog Cranberry) and Morella pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry). These areas have been primarily observed on their peripheries during this inventory.
foredunes
Forested Dunes
Forested dunes are typically dune edges and much older dunes that have been covered in local forest. This inventory is not focusing on forested dunes except in passing.

NameFall 202120222023
Entoloma "dark and small"--X
Agaricus bisporusX--
Alloclavaria--X
Amanita cornelihybrida--X
Amanita muscaria guessowii-XX
Ascomycota "partial cup"--X
Astraeus smithiiXXX
Calocybe fallax--X
Clavulina coralloides--X
Clitocella popinalis--X
Clitocybe "big funnel"--X
Clitocybe "pink caps"--X
Collybia "in soil"--X
Collybia "no sclerotia"--X
Collybia cookei--X
Coltricia perennis-X-
Coprinellus-X-
Coprinopsis-XX
Cortinarius "like fallax"--X
Cortinarius "nipple"--X
Cortinarius "serated gills"--X
Cortinarius "shiny hog"--X
Cortinarius "sp-PEI01"-X-
Cortinarius "sp-PEI02"-XX
Cortinarius "wet area"--X
Cortinarius impolitus-X-
Cortinarius psammocola-XX
Crucibulum laeve--X
Cyathus stercoreus--X
Dermocybe "crowberry"--X
Entoloma "Basin-head 2023"--X
Galerina "bay berry"--X
Gyroporus subalbellus--X
Hebeloma sordidulum-XX
Hygrocybe conicoides-XX
Hygrocybe jackmanii-XX
Hygrocybe substrangulata--X
Hypholoma "pholiota"--X
Inocybe "brown capped"--X
Inocybe "sp-PEI01"-X-
Laccaria "forest"--X
Laccaria trichodermophora-XX
Laccaria trullisata-XX
Lactarius helvus--X
Lactarius pubescens-XX
Leccinum "brown arenicola"--X
Leccinum "cranberry"--X
Leccinum "on edge"--X
Leccinum arenicola-XX
LycoperdonX-X
Lycoperdon "tiny"--X
Marasmiineae "frilled"--X
Marasmius "ammophila stems"--X
Marasmius "spruce cones"--X
Marasmius "wide gills"--X
Marasmius oreades-XX
Marasmius wettsteinii--X
Melanoleuca "cinereifolia-PEI01"X--
Mutinus elegans--X
Mycena "2023-01"--X
Mycena "bay berry medium"--X
Mycena "bay berry tiny"--X
Mycena "black pond"--X
Mycena "FR grassy"--X
Mycena "griseoviridis-IN01"-X-
Mycena epipterygia--X
Paragymnopus perforans--X
Peziza ammophilaXXX
Phallus hadriani--X
Psathyrella "tiny"--X
Psathyrella arenulinaXXX
Rhodocollybia "sp-IN01"-XX
Rhodocollybia lentinoides--X
Rickenella--X
Russula "sp-IN118"-XX
Russula ventricosipes--X
Scleroderma septentrionale-XX
Suillus ampliporus--X
Thelephora terrestris-XX
Tricholoma equestre--X
Tulostoma brumale--X

Basin HeadBrackley BeachGreenwich
Amanita cornelihybridaAstraeus smithiiAlloclavaria
Astraeus smithiiClitocella popinalisAmanita muscaria guessowii
Cortinarius 'like fallax'Cortinarius impolitusAscomycota 'partial cup'
Entoloma 'Basin-head 2023'Hebeloma sordidulumAstraeus smithii
Gyroporus subalbellusLaccaria trullisataCortinarius 'sp-PEI02'
Hygrocybe jackmanii Cortinarius psammocola
Hygrocybe substrangulataCabot ParkCrucibulum laeve
Laccaria trichodermophoraAstraeus smithiiHebeloma sordidulum
Laccaria trullisataCalocybe fallaxHygrocybe conicoides
Marasmiineae 'frilled'CoprinopsisHygrocybe substrangulata
Mycena epipterygiaCrucibulum laeveLaccaria trichodermophora
Russula ventricosipesCyathus stercoreusLaccaria trullisata
Scleroderma septentrionaleEntoloma 'dark and small'Lactarius pubescens
Tricholoma equestreHygrocybe conicoidesLeccinum 'cranberry'
 Laccaria 'forest'Leccinum 'on edge'
Black PondLaccaria trullisataLeccinum arenicola
Amanita muscaria guessowiiLactarius pubescensMutinus elegans
Ascomycota 'partial cup'Leccinum arenicolaPsathyrella 'tiny'
Astraeus smithiiLycoperdonRickenella
Clavulina coralloidesMarasmius oreadesThelephora terrestris
Clitocella popinalisMelanoleuca 'cinereifolia-PEI01' 
Clitocybe 'big funnel'Mycena '2023-01'Hog Island
Clitocybe 'pink caps'Mycena 'black pond'Amanita muscaria guessowii
Collybia 'no sclerotia'Peziza ammophilaAstraeus smithii
Cortinarius 'like fallax'Psathyrella arenulinaClitocella popinalis
Cortinarius 'nipple'Rhodocollybia lentinoidesClitocybe 'pink caps'
Cortinarius 'serated gills'Thelephora terrestrisCollybia 'in soil'
Cortinarius 'sp-PEI02'Tulostoma brumaleCollybia cookei
Dermocybe 'crowberry' Coltricia perennis
Hygrocybe conicoidesCavendish SpitCortinarius 'shiny hog'
Hygrocybe jackmaniiAgaricus bisporusCortinarius 'wet area'
Hygrocybe substrangulataCoprinopsisCortinarius psammocola
Hypholoma 'pholiota'Crucibulum laeveHygrocybe conicoides
Inocybe 'brown capped'Melanoleuca 'cinereifolia-PEI01'Hygrocybe substrangulata
Inocybe 'sp-PEI01'Psathyrella arenulinaLaccaria trichodermophora
Laccaria trichodermophoraPeziza ammophilaLactarius pubescens
Laccaria trullisataConway IslandLeccinum arenicola
Lactarius helvusAstraeus smithiiMarasmius 'ammophila stems'
Leccinum 'brown arenicola'Cortinarius 'like fallax'Marasmius 'wide gills'
Leccinum arenicolaCortinarius psammocolaPhallus hadriani
Marasmius 'ammophila stems'Crucibulum laeveRussula 'sp-IN118'
Mycena 'bay berry medium'Galerina 'bay berry'Thelephora terrestris
Mycena 'black pond'Hebeloma sordidulum 
Paragymnopus perforansHygrocybe conicoidesSouth Rustico Beach
Rhodocollybia 'sp-IN01'Laccaria trullisataCoprinopsis
Rhodocollybia lentinoidesLycoperdonCrucibulum laeve
Russula ventricosipesMarasmius 'ammophila stems'Cyathus stercoreus
Scleroderma septentrionaleMarasmius 'wide gills'Melanoleuca 'cinereifolia-PEI01'
Suillus ampliporusMycena 'bay berry tiny'Peziza ammophila
Thelephora terrestrisPsathyrella arenulinaPsathyrella arenulina
Tricholoma equestreRussula 'sp-IN118' 
  Tracadie Harbour
Blooming PointDarnley PointAstraeus smithii
Marasmius 'wide gills'Laccaria trullisataCortinarius psammocola
Peziza ammophilaPeziza ammophilaCrucibulum laeve
Psathyrella arenulinaPsathyrella arenulinaCyathus stercoreus
  Hebeloma sordidulum
Bothwell BeachFrench River BeachLaccaria trullisata
Cortinarius 'sp-PEI01'CoprinellusLactarius pubescens
Mycena 'griseoviridis-IN01'CoprinopsisLeccinum arenicola
Russula ventricosipesCrucibulum laevePeziza ammophila
Scleroderma septentrionaleCyathus stercoreusPsathyrella arenulina
 Lycoperdon 'tiny'Russula 'sp-IN118'
 Marasmius 'ammophila stems' 
 Marasmius 'spruce cones' 
 Marasmius oreades 
 Marasmius wettsteinii 
 Melanoleuca 'cinereifolia-PEI01' 
 Mycena 'FR grassy' 
 Peziza ammophila 
 Psathyrella arenulina