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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.



Coastal sand dunes might not look like much, but beneath the surface lies a hidden world. Since fall 2021, our ongoing inventory has uncovered species of macrofungi thriving in these dynamic dune ecosystems, with more to come. Dive deeper by exploring the habitat breakdown, species list, and site-by-site findings in the tabs above, or browse the full photo collection on iNaturalist.

Highlights

  • Hygrocybe jackmanii was docummented at Black Pond and currently known from only two other locations in Labrador and Quebec.
  • 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.
  • An undescribed Inocybe found on PEI coastal dunes, NY and Texas is currently being described using our specimens.
  • 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

A Provisional Survey of the Macrofungi on Sand Dunes in Prince Edward Island National Park: Three years of observations - 2024 Research Report for PEI NP


Species of Interest

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.