A rare and protected fungus has been found at a nature reserve in Canterbury.

The Hericium erinaceus, or lion’s mane fungus, has the highest level of legal protection in the UK due to its scarcity. Kent Wildlife Trust said it had been spotted by a visitor.

It is illegal in the UK to collect, uproot or destroy the fungus and anyone doing so could face six months in prison or a £5,000 fine.

  • Uranium 🟩@sh.itjust.works
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    1 month ago

    I found one of these in Warwickshire, let my mycology society know, they collected a sample and it’s now in the fungarium in my local town museum.

    Apparently it was the first recorded instance of it in
    Warwickshire.

    It always makes me smile when I see news articles on it.