Bracken Map (
Rhopographus filicinus) is a common and widespread species of fungus that is mainly found in the UK, with some records from mainland Europe, including France, Sweden, Germany, and north to Scandinavia.
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| UK distribution map of Rhopographus filicinus © NBN Atlas |
Not much is known about the fungus, but it is characteristic in its appearance as it forms linear black marks on the petioles (stem) of living Bracken (
Pteridium aquilinum) plants and becomes more obvious once the plants have died. As such, it is most noticeable in autumn when the Bracken plants turn brown and die.
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| Rhopographus filicinus on the stem of a Bracken plant on the UEA campus. |
Unfortunately I couldn't find any more information about the ecology of Bracken Map Fungus, so that'll have to do.
