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Rare Blue Fungus Appears on Isle of Man After 50 Years
1 Feb
Summary
- A rare blue fungus, Cobalt Crust, was sighted on the Isle of Man.
- This fungus aids in breaking down organic matter and has medicinal uses.
- Increased sightings are attributed to more searches and favorable weather.
A rare blue fungus, Terana caerulea, commonly called Cobalt Crust, has been observed on the Isle of Man for the first time in more than fifty years. This distinctive fungus, typically found on the undersides of dead wood and branches in warm, damp forests, was recently spotted in Onchan.
Cobalt Crust is beneficial as it helps decompose organic matter. It is also utilized in medicine to produce antibiotics that can treat infections like strep throat and scarlet fever. The species was first recorded near Lezayre on the island in 1976.
According to Liz Charter of the Isle of Man Fungus Group, increased sightings are due to heightened public interest in searching for fungi and suitable weather patterns. She emphasized the crucial role diverse fungi play in the environment, aiding in the breakdown of various materials, from dead insects to plant matter.
Charter noted that three sightings of Cobalt Crust have occurred this year, highlighting its rarity in the British Isles, where the Isle of Man represents a northern limit for its distribution. The exact method of the fungus's transportation remains a mystery, with possibilities including human footwear or wind currents.
