Rare tongue-shaped fungus discovered in nature reserve in West Sussex

Microglossum cyanobasis - or blue-based earthtongue - is only the second such specimen ever to be found in Europe

The discovery of a rare, tongue-shaped fungus is being hailed as a sign of the crucial ecological value of England's national nature reserves.

Never before recorded in the UK, the blue-based earthtongue, also known as Microglossum cyanobasis, was found sprouting at the Kingley Vale national nature reserve in West Sussex.