Species Focus - Bracken Map (Rhopographus filicinus)

North Wales is fortunate to host a number of genuinely rare fungi—not merely species that appear rare due to under-recording, but taxa that have been recorded only once in the UK. Alongside these are species that are statistically rare or uncommon on paper, yet in reality are widespread and abundant once you know to look for them. In many cases, the limiting factor is not their presence, but a lack of awareness among naturalists that these species exist at all. With that in mind, I would like to introduce the Bracken Map (Rhopographus filicinus), a fungus that may well be one of the commonest in North Wales.

As its name suggests, Bracken Map is most commonly found on old bracken stems, typically from late summer through to winter. In my experience, when surveying extensive stands of bracken in winter, it is almost impossible not to encounter it. This ascomycetous fungus forms distinctive black markings on the stems, often covering large sections rather than appearing in isolated patches. The resulting pattern is striking and diagnostic. Importantly, this is not a species that requires close scrutiny with a hand lens or time spent searching on hands and knees - it is conspicuous, accessible, and easy to record.

A brief look at the NBN Atlas highlights the scale of under-recording. While there are over 144,000 records of bracken, there are just over 2,000 records of Bracken Map. In reality, these figures should be far more closely aligned. In North Wales in particular, the distribution of records is surprisingly sparse, with large areas showing no records at all. This month, I am setting myself the challenge of recording Bracken Map in 20 previously unrecorded 1 km squares. If others were to record it even once during the same period, together we could go a long way towards filling some significant gaps on the map.

So give it a go, it may not be the most colourful or flamboyant of species, but why not set yourself the challenge of finding it this month? Please submit your records, preferably with photos, using the Cofnod ORS or the LERC Wales app.