Hypocreopsis rhododendri - Hazel Glove Fungus

Hypocreopsis rhododendri - Hazel Glove Fungus

During November 2015, I received a pleasant email from a lady who had discovered my website.  She very kindly sent me some photographs of a fungus called Hypocreopsis rhododendri - Hazel Glove Fungus.  Aptly named as it resembles tiny rubber gloves.

This fungus is most likely to be seen on the west coast of Ireland, Scotland and possibly Devon and Cornwall in the UK, but also in South West France and the Appalachian Mountains in the US.  The lady who sent me the photographs found this one on the West Coast of Mull.  It grows on Hazel trees. It can be found between August and March and reaches a diameter of 4-8cm.  It is classed as rare and threatened.  
Facts extracted from: Scottish Fungi.

Photograph kindly supplied by Sue Wilson.


I have been prompted to write this blog as I read an article over the Christmas period about a fungus called Willow Glove Fungus, the Latin name being Hypocreopsis lichenoides.  This was found in April 2015 at Gordon Moss, Scottish Borders on a willow bush.  The Willow Glove Fungus is even more rare and is classed as critically threatened and is listed in the Red Data Book.  This fungus apparently "resembles a tiny hand with gloved fingers clasping a stem".  Source: The Berwickshire News.

Hazel Glove Fungus will feature on www.fungiworld.co.uk in the future.