Eden Project

Today’s Plant Record: ‘Kaap’ren Varen’, by Fungus

‘Kaap’ren Varen’ – Fungus

For a bit of fun on Fridays Chris Bisson, the guy who maintains all the recorded information on Eden’s plant collection as our Plant Records Manager, recommends his favourite “plant records” – that is, songs that are in some way linked to a plant.

Fungus, a Dutch Folk Rock band from the early 1970s performs this traditional Dutch sea shanty about ‘what it takes’ to sail on the Kaap’ren, a type of boat. It seems to me that, whatever you do, the main requirement is a beard – which reminds me of our dear old friend the Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare).

We’re excited that lots of different fungi have been literally mushrooming here at Eden since we took over the disused clay quarry. We’ve recorded over 145 types of naturally occuring fungi at Eden - in the gardens, biomes, carparks and the wilder areas on the rim of the clay pit.

Recording fungi is a good way of us monitoring the health of our estate. Some in particular are indicative of healthy native ecosystems, such as the beautiful Parrot Waxcap (Hygrocybe psittacina), which is found in thriving grassland. Have any of you found interesting fungi when you’re out and about?

Note: if you try this at home, be careful to not eat anything you can’t clearly identify as edible, and wash your hands after handling fungi. I know you know this already. Have a great weekend…

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Environment, Music

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plants