UK Scientists Identify New Fungus Killing Invasive Heath-Star Moss, Raising Hope for 1,000 Native Mosses
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 30
UK Scientists Identify New Fungus Killing Invasive Heath-Star Moss, Raising Hope for 1,000 Native Mosses
1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 30
A newly identified British fungus is killing invasive heath-star moss across UK sites, offering a potential natural way to restore habitats where native mosses have been pushed out.
Dr. George Greiff first spotted the die-back on the Isle of Wight four years ago; DNA sequencing with UK and French researchers confirmed the culprit as a previously unknown fungus.
Field evidence in south Wales shows brown "rings of death" where the moss has decayed and native plants such as young heather are already reappearing in the gaps.
Greiff says the fungus appears largely specific to heath-star moss—affecting only one other moss to a limited extent so far—though more work is needed to confirm its range.
The finding matters because Britain has more than 1,000 moss species, while one in six UK species is at risk of extinction and invasive heath-star moss has spread widely since arriving around the 1940s.
A fungus is now fighting Britain's invasive moss. How soon can this natural weapon be deployed across the country?
This 'killer fungus' is related to the one destroying ash trees. Could it become Britain's next ecological disaster?
Bryoscyphus granulosus vs. Campylopus introflexus: A New Fungal Ally in the Fight Against Invasive Moss in Europe
Overview
In 2025, researchers G. Greiff, M. Hairaud, and H.O. Baral formally described a new fungal species, Bryoscyphus granulosus, after a significant collaborative effort. This fungus was identified from many collections across western Europe. Its identity was confirmed using detailed molecular data and culture characteristics, ensuring accurate classification. The rigorous scientific approach taken by the team provides a strong foundation for future research into the fungus’s biology and ecological role. This discovery marks an important step in understanding natural solutions for managing invasive species and highlights the value of international scientific collaboration.