If it’s not abandoned furniture then it’s fungus that catches my eye. It must be the weather but so many varied species appear. These tiny mushrooms, at the base of a friend’s neighborhood tree, were there in abundance, looking at me as I got out of my car Sunday afternoon.
They are called coprinellus disseminatus or Fairy Bonnets
“Polyporus squamosus, commonly referred to as Dryad’s Saddle” it’s edible but I’m going to pass.
Here’s more information about this fungi
Dryad-a tree nymph or tree spirit
Fungi. There are so many different types. Yes, there are many that are edible. But there are others that are poisonous. The one in the photo did not tempt me. I can’t picture it on a plate. Perhaps you know what it is.
I couldn’t identify this growth even with all the photos-there are so many interesting names of Fungi – from Milky Caps to Hairy Cushion. There are corals,hoofs, shelfs and caps. There are fungi named Hedgehogs or Turkey Tail. Even a false morel.
The authors say in their guide “Although we provide information about edibility in this guide, DO NOT eat any mushroom unless you are absolutely certain of its identity: many mushroom species look alike and some species are highly poisonous.”
Here’s a comprehensive publication from the USDA with photos. Field Guide to Common Macrofungi in Eastern Forests and Their Ecosystem Functions
Michael E. Ostry Neil A. Anderson Joseph G. O’Brien
“Oetzi, the 5000-year-old “Iceman” who was found in possession of this fungus(Fomes fomentarius) and perhaps used it to start fires.”
Fomes fomentarius
A week’s difference between the photographs.
It’s a big flowerpot on the back deck. Has a hibiscus tree growing in it.
This weekend I watched Maura (almost 4) while her family went to a swim meet with her brothers and sister. She saw me outside and asked, “Granma, Why are you in the bushes?” When she came over to see what I was doing, she said she liked the Fairy Godmother. One shot of each on the iPhone and then she and I played. I’d been sorting toys in the playroom. Saw the toadstool and went and got the two figurines.
Today’s photos? Just for fun. The fungus was enormous. And I had just been reading an article telling of the two cousins Frances and Elsie photographs with the Cottlingley Fairies. (1917)
Thanks to Annette who wrote and said that “ the blog is a daily vitamin for the creative soul.”
