April Pinkgill – unexpected relationships beneath the ground
An article from the series “News from the Kórnik Gardens,” authored by Marta Kujawska and Tomasz Leski, was published in Kórniczanin (No. 8/2026, pp. 12–13) .
The text takes the reader from the visible signs of spring renewal to the hidden world of soil—one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth, where microorganisms play a key role in plant life. Special attention is given to pinkgills (Entoloma), a highly diverse group of fungi with varied ecological strategies, ranging from beneficial symbionts to parasitic forms.
The most important finding is the identification of pseudomycorrhiza formed by the April pinkgill (Entoloma aprile) on elm roots in the Kórnik Arboretum. The study revealed that, instead of supporting the tree, the fungus may damage root tissues, triggering plant defense responses and potentially weakening its condition.
This discovery is particularly significant in the context of elms threatened by Dutch elm disease and highlights how complex—and still poorly understood—soil interactions are. The article invites readers to look at spring nature not only above ground, but also beneath their feet.