Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve has become the site of a remarkable botanical first, after a rare fungus never before recorded in Britain was identified by a local enthusiast. The species, known as Microglossum cyanobasis, or the blue-based earthtongue, was discovered by Liz Frost during a walk through the reserve, located near Chichester. She described the moment as an exciting and unexpected find, having stumbled upon the delicate, tongue-shaped organism while exploring the woodland.
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Initially spotting six specimens, Ms Frost returned the following day to find a further 12 emerging from the ground. The fungus, first documented in Spain nearly two decades ago, had never previously been recorded in the UK.
Typically reaching just 4.5 to 5cm in height, the fungus features a fragile stem and a distinctive bluish-green tint near its base — a characteristic that helps distinguish it from similar species.
Following the discovery, images were shared with the British Mycological Society, where initial identification was supported by the same expert who first recorded the species in Spain. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed a 99 per cent match, verifying the find as the first of its kind in Britain.
The reserve itself, situated within the South Downs, is renowned for its ancient yew woodland, with some trees believed to be more than 500 years old. Conservationists say such environments provide ideal conditions for rare fungi to thrive.
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Rachel Guy, site manager for Natural England, said the discovery highlights the ecological importance of protected areas. She noted that the presence of earthtongue fungi is often an indicator of undisturbed, nutrient-poor soils — habitats that are increasingly scarce due to modern agricultural practices and land-use changes. The find has been welcomed by both scientists and environmentalists, who see it as evidence of the continued ecological value of Britain’s remaining natural landscapes.
