MACROFUNGI IN THE HISTORICAL “HANBURY” BOTANICAL GARDENS (LIGURIA, NW ITALY): A PRELIMINARY CHECK-LIST

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the study on the mycoflora of a botanical garden located in Liguria (NW Italy). Mycological investigations were performed to list the presence of both epigeous and hypogeous macrofungal species in the historical Hanbury Botanical Gardens. The results show that several interesting and uncommon species, especially among hypogeous fungi, occur in the site. Ectomycorrhizal species and soil saprotrophs were more numerous than woody decaying and parasite fungi. This site, declared a Regional Protected Area and a Site of Community Importance for its high plant biodiversity, also constitutes an interesting area from a mycological perspective. Due to the importance of fungi in terrestrial ecosystems functioning and their potential interactions with plants, further studies should be planned in order to increase knowledge on the fungal components that can are present in botanical gardens.