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squawking.bsky.social
Squawking
@squawking.bsky.social
250 followers 170 following 26 posts
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

South Devon
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Wrinkled Crust (?)
Phlebia radiata

Found this crust on oak today.
Like sunshine on a foggy day.

#fungifriends

www.first-nature.com/fungi/phlebi...
A large moss-covered fallen oak branch hosts two circular patches of fungal growth, each about 6 cm wide. Both patches have bright orange edges that sharply contrast with the moss and warm grey centres. One patch is flat, with a wrinkled, lumpy surface marked by vein-like lines radiating outward from the centre. The other patch is more textured, featuring small, finger-like structures up to 1 cm tall that give it a spiky, uneven look. A large moss-covered fallen oak branch hosts two circular patches of fungal growth, each about 6 cm wide. Both patches have bright orange edges that sharply contrast with the moss and warm grey centres. One patch is flat, with a wrinkled, lumpy surface marked by vein-like lines radiating outward from the centre. The other patch is more textured, featuring small, finger-like structures up to 1 cm tall that give it a spiky, uneven look.
January 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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Pink polypore mould (?)
Hypomyces rosellus

The crust is eating the trunk, now it looks like the mould is eating the crust.

#fungifriends
A close-up view of Hypomyces rosellus, also known in the U.K. as pink polypore mould is growing on a crust fungus on a fallen tree trunk. The crust fungus forms a thin, pale layer on the wood, while Hypomyces rosellus appears as small, deep pink dots scattered across its pale pink surface. These dark pink structures are the spore-producing parts of the parasitic fungus. The texture of the crust fungus is slightly uneven, and the surrounding wood is aged, with cracks and a rough surface. A close-up view of Hypomyces rosellus, also known in the U.K. as pink polypore mould is growing on a crust fungus on a fallen tree trunk. The crust fungus forms a thin, pale layer on the wood, while Hypomyces rosellus appears as small, deep pink dots scattered across its pale pink surface. These dark pink structures are the spore-producing parts of the parasitic fungus. The texture of the crust fungus is slightly uneven, and the surrounding wood is aged, with cracks and a rough surface.
January 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
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Chocolate Tubes Slime Mold (?)
Stemonitis splendens

for #hotsticksaturday

(Yorkshire, 2021)
A tight cluster of Stemonitis splendens (Chocolate Tubes Slime Mold) in its 'Chocolate Tubes' phase, growing on a small decaying log. The slender, tube-like structures fan outward at the top, resembling the tentacles of a sea anemone. They are joined together at the base, creating a dense, cohesive bunch. The tubes are smooth and rich brown.
December 7, 2024 at 9:25 AM
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Rosy Bonnet (?)

Came across these a couple of days ago.

Their delicate pink was reminiscent of springtime, yet these may be with us until the hard frosts reach them.

Said to be bioluminescent, emitting a weak green light.

#fungifriends
www.first-nature.com/fungi/mycena...
Two rosy bonnet mushrooms sit beside a small log in the brown autumn leaves beneath an oak tree. Their almost flat caps range in colour from nearly white at the slightly raised centers to a deep pink. The edges of the caps show a hint of pale pink gills underneath, which are crowded together and curve in deep, wavy lines. The stems are pale pinkish-white, smooth with faint lines running along them. The mushrooms stand out with their soft and vibrant pink hues against the earthy tones of the forest floor. One of the rosy bonnet mushrooms has fallen over, showing its pale pink gills. The edges of the caps show a hint of pale pink gills underneath, which are crowded together and curve in deep, wavy lines. The fallen mushroom rests on oak leaf litter, its soft pink tones standing out against the autumnal colours.
December 5, 2024 at 1:59 PM
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Coral Spot (?)

Nectria cinnabarina

Saw this fungus on yesterday’s walk.

It can weaken trees over time and may become a contributing factor to their death. Usually hardwood trees. The red dots are fruiting bodies that produce spores.

#fungifriends

www.first-nature.com/fungi/nectri...
A close-up of a fallen branch shows a patch of dark brown gnarly, raised lumps approximately 3mm across. Within the patch, some lumps have clusters of 5-30 tiny, vivid red dots, which are the spore-producing bodies of the coral spot fungus. A fallen branch about 1.5 inches in diameter and 2 feet long lies on the leaf litter. Its surface is rough and weathered, with occasional patches of dark-brown, gnarly, raised lumps scattered along its length. Bright red, spore-producing dots appear in clusters on some of the lumps, contrasting with the branch's muted bark.
December 4, 2024 at 9:35 PM
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Funeral Bell (?)
Galerina marginata

Found these yesterday.

Annually, globally, it is estimated that eating them causes 50–100 poisonings, some resulting in serious organ damage.

An estimated 5–20 cases result in death.

www.first-nature.com/fungi/galeri...

#fungifriends
A small, pale-brown mushroom is growing amid a patch of vibrant green moss on the side of a fallen log. The mushroom has a smooth, helmet-shaped cap with a slight point at the top and a light brown colour that darkens toward the center. The gills underneath the cap are visible in the reflection of a mirror placed beside the mushroom, showing thin, closely spaced lines. The mushroom has a dark stem at attachment and a dark ring.
December 4, 2024 at 10:13 AM
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Noticed today that (in two places) the Cobalt Crust instead of going flat across a dead branch has half enveloped a Hazel twig, firmly attaching the twig to the branch that the crust resides upon.

Just like Hazel Glue fungus does.

Looks like the crust wants to go up in the world.

#fungifriends
A strikingly deep blue velvety crust fungus is on dry branches stacked in a hedge. It has wrapped around a Hazel twig, half enveloping it and has firmly attached the twig to the branch that the crust resides upon.
December 3, 2024 at 6:44 PM
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Oak Crust (?)
Peniophora quercina

This fungus caught my attention today.
Along the length of a fallen branch beneath an oak tree.

#fungifriends
This oak crust is growing on a damp branch lying within the leaf mold. The surface is waxy and lilac, sticking tightly to the wood. Where it has dried, the edges of the crust curl up, revealing a dark, rough underside. This oak crust is growing on a damp branch lying within the leaf mold. The surface is waxy and lilac, sticking tightly to the wood. Where it has dried, the edges of the crust curl up, revealing a dark, rough underside. The crust follows the shape of the branch, spread out along its length, blending into the damp environment of bramble, decaying leaves and other organic matter.
December 3, 2024 at 4:16 PM
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Collared Earthstar (?)
Geastrum triplex

This morning found this on sloping ground beneath an oak.

Remarkably still “juicy” for December.

#fungifriends
A star-shaped fungus found on sloping ground beneath an oak tree. It is approximately 6cm across. The beige, smooth spore sac sits prominently in the center, surrounded by broken and weathered rays that from above resemble a flower. The rays are joined at the base, forming a saucer-like collar around the sac. Despite being December, the fungus appears surprisingly fresh, with a pale beige color and an earthy look. It is set amongst twigs, fallen oak and Hazel leaves in a natural, woodland setting.
December 3, 2024 at 2:20 PM
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Last week saw an upright dead tree covered in little darkish bumps, looked on the other side and saw them shell-shaped, realised they were small (to approx 1.5cm) oysterlings, never seen so many all at once!

Perhaps immature Resupinatus trichotis?

#fungifriends
A bare, upright dead tree trunk, about 3 inches diameter and 5 feet tall, is loosely covered with hundreds of tiny (to approximately 1.5cm width) mushrooms. The mushrooms have grey-brown, shell- or hoof-shaped caps, with the tops dark near the attachment to the wood and the bottoms fading into a pinkish-brown hue. They are spaced apart across the trunk, not overlapping, and their smooth, velvety texture is visible. The undersides have widely spaced gills and look fan-shaped, they are also pinkish-brown in colour, darker near the centres. The mushrooms cover the trunk in a scattered pattern. A bare, upright dead tree trunk, about 3 inches diameter and 5 feet tall, is loosely covered with hundreds of tiny (to approximately 1.5cm width) mushrooms. The mushrooms have grey-brown, shell- or hoof-shaped caps, with the tops dark near the attachment to the wood and the bottoms fading into a pinkish-brown hue. They are spaced apart across the trunk, not overlapping, and their smooth, velvety texture is visible. The undersides have widely spaced gills and look fan-shaped, they are also pinkish-brown in colour, darker near the centres. The mushrooms cover the trunk in a scattered pattern.
December 2, 2024 at 4:38 PM
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Toothed crust (?)
Basidioradulum radula

The recent storms brought down a big branch swathed in white, and a closer look revealed curtains of this intricate and lovely white crust.

#fungifriends
A close-up view of a delicate white crust fungus covering the surface of a fallen tree branch. The fungus forms dense, cascading curtains of tiny tooth-like projections, creating a textured, almost coral-like appearance. A close-up view of a delicate white crust fungus covering the surface of a fallen tree branch. The fungus forms dense, cascading curtains of tiny tooth-like projections, creating a textured, almost coral-like appearance. A view from beneath the white crust fungus, revealing its intricate, maze-like structure formed by the dense rows of tiny, tooth-like projections.
November 30, 2024 at 8:16 AM
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Tripe fungus (?)
Auricularia mesenterica

Fascinated to find this fungus! I first noticed the gelatinous, wrinkled underside and later realised it was actually the spore-producing part of a bracket-like fungus.

Related to the Jelly ear fungus (wood ears) that are abundant just now.

#fungifriends
A close-up of a fungus showing its underside, with a gelatinous, wrinkled texture resembling the folds of a brain. The moist, translucent surface is part of a larger bracket fungus growing on wood. A close-up of the fungus's upperside, showing a harder, velvety, textured surface with shades of gray and brown. It appears dry and slightly rough, contrasting with the gelatinous underside. The bracket shape fans out from the wood it’s growing on.
November 29, 2024 at 9:23 PM
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Lemon Disco (?)
Bisporella citrina

Glimpsed a cluster of tiny dots of lemony yellow, turned the log and it was covered with a stunning mosaic of these little fungi cups.

Like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day.

#fungifriends

www.first-nature.com/fungi/bispor...
A close-up of a cluster of tiny, lemon-yellow fungi covering the surface of a decaying log. Each fruit body, measuring about 1–3 millimeters across, is shaped like a delicate, mostly round, shallow cup or disc, differing from the typical cap-and-stalk structure associated with most mushrooms. These fungi form a stunning mosaic across the underside of the log, with clusters approximately 5–7 millimeters in size, creating a burst of sunshine-like yellow against the dark, wet wood.
November 29, 2024 at 7:18 AM
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#fungifriends #lichen
A variety of lichen growing on a stick, showing different textures and colours. Some lichen are smooth and velvety, while others are rough and crusty. There are also leafy forms, with small spore capsules visible on some. The colours range from green to pale white, highlighting the diversity of these organisms in a beautiful natural arrangement.
November 28, 2024 at 10:40 PM
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Wrinkled peach (?)
Rhodotus palmatus

Saw the cap and thought must be wrinkled peach (it’s the right sort of woodland to have old elm) then went through photos of the more spectacular phases of the Rhodotus and was not sure.

Thoughts welcomed…

#fungifriends

www.first-nature.com/fungi/rhodot...
Mature pale peach-colored mushrooms growing on a decayed log. The (5-7cm width) caps are large and smooth, with few wrinkles and a uniform shape. They have a soft, rubbery texture. The fungus has a short, stubby stem that connects the cap to the log. The gills do not all reach the stem from the cap edge, nor are they fully attached to the stem. The log has no bark left and is slightly elevated off the ground. Mature pale peach-colored mushrooms growing on a decayed log. The (5-7cm width) caps are large and smooth, with few wrinkles and a uniform shape. They have a soft, rubbery texture. The fungus has a short, stubby stem that connects the cap to the log. The gills do not all reach the stem from the cap edge, nor are they fully attached to the stem. The log has no bark left and is slightly elevated off the ground. Mature pale peach-colored mushrooms growing on a decayed log. The (5-7cm width) caps are large and smooth, with few wrinkles and a uniform shape. They have a soft, rubbery texture. The fungus has a short, stubby stem that connects the cap to the log. The gills do not all reach the stem from the cap edge, nor are they fully attached to the stem. The log has no bark left and is slightly elevated off the ground. Mature pale peach-colored mushrooms growing on a decayed log. The (5-7cm width) caps are large and smooth, with few wrinkles and a uniform shape. They have a soft, rubbery texture. The fungus has a short, stubby stem that connects the cap to the log. The gills do not all reach the stem from the cap edge, nor are they fully attached to the stem. The log has no bark left and is slightly elevated off the ground.
November 28, 2024 at 10:27 PM
squawking.bsky.social

Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) signals ancient woodland.

A few days ago, I saw a berry far from its tree and wondered.

Today, I found a stash of berries hidden in a stump—mouse or vole?

Spindle’s dense wood was once used for making wool spindles for spinning and knitting needles, hence the name.
Clusters of vivid pink Euonymus europaeus berries cling to bare, leafless twigs, stark against a brilliant blue sky. The smooth, unbroken shells gleam in the sunlight, their bold hues contrasting with the skeletal branches and the crisp clarity of the autumn day. At the base of a rotted tree stump, a fist-sized hole is partly obscured by a green moss overhang. Inside, there is a tidy pile of about 20 vivid pink spindle berries, likely a stash carefully gathered by a mouse or vole and tucked away into this sheltered spot.
November 27, 2024 at 5:07 PM
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Dyer’s Mazegill (?)
Phaeolus schweinitzii

A bright and unexpected splash of velvety yellow at the base of the largest Scot’s pine I have ever stood beside.

Though it looks small against that massive tree, the fungus was about 7 inches across.

www.first-nature.com/fungi/phaeol...

#fungifriends
This dyer’s mazegill stood out vividly, a bright and unexpected splash of color near the base of a towering, ancient Scot’s pine. Its vibrant yellow edges glowed even in the woodland’s shadow, transitioning smoothly into rich brown zones at the center of its velvety cap, which measured about 7 inches across—a striking contrast to the rough, weathered bark. Growing about three feet from the ground, the fungus’ once spongy texture was beginning to dry and harden. Beneath, its maze-like gills were visible as the cap’s edges started to curl.
November 26, 2024 at 10:26 PM
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Purple Jellydisc (?)
Ascocoryne sarcoides

The sun today vibrantly contrasted the colour of the Jellydisc against the moss.

Then I noticed a tiny 1.5mm width mushroom (?) alongside a jelly cluster. Very curious as to what one that is.

www.first-nature.com/fungi/ascoco...
#fungifriends
Clusters of shiny, purple jelly-like discs are scattered along much of the length of a moss-covered fallen tree trunk. Some groups look like little tongues, while others resemble miniature, squishy brains. The largest cluster is about 2 cm across, with a soft, pinkish-purple, translucent appearance. The trunk is damp but bathed in sunlight, adding a vibrant contrast to the lush green moss and the unusual shapes of the fungi. A tiny mushroom (or something like one) about 1.5 mm wide, with a pale, slightly tapered stem that is wider at the top, resembling an ice-cream cone shape. The cap is grayish-brown and slightly convex, the surface is not stretched smooth. The mushroom is growing near a cluster of purple jelly-like discs on a mossy fallen tree trunk, bathed in sunlight. A tiny mushroom (or something like one) about 1.5 mm wide, with a pale, slightly tapered stem that is wider at the top, resembling an ice-cream cone shape. The cap is grayish-brown and slightly convex, the surface is not stretched smooth. The mushroom is growing near a cluster of purple jelly-like discs on a mossy fallen tree trunk, bathed in sunlight. On this image a tape measure shows how tiny the mushroom is.
November 26, 2024 at 6:13 PM
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Hazel Gloves (?)
Hypocreopsis rhododendri

A large branch with Hazel Gloves had landed on the path in the storm, revealing another tree with it, there are several of them in this little woodland.

www.first-nature.com/fungi/hypocr...

#fungifriends #mushroommonday
Hazel Gloves is a rare and striking fungus that grows on old hazel trees, often in ancient woodlands. This particular woodland includes remnants of hazel trees once coppiced long ago for lime making. This cluster, measuring about 6 cm wide and 8 cm tall, spreads across mossy bark, with soft, finger-like shapes resembling the delicate fingers of a glove. The fungus shows a mix of pale orange, deep orange, and tan, standing out vividly against the green moss and rough tree bark. Each finger is smooth and rounded, about 1–2 cm wide and tapering upward, giving the cluster a graceful, glove-like appearance.
November 25, 2024 at 7:20 PM
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Cobalt Crust (?)
Terana caerulea

A delight to see this strikingly deep blue crust fungus today.

www.first-nature.com/fungi/terana...
#fungifriends #mushroommonday
A strikingly deep blue crust fungus is spreading across dry branches stacked in a hedge. The fungus forms very thin, irregular patches, less than 1 mm thick, with a velvety surface that sometimes appears slightly bumpy or warty. Its rich, intense blue color dominates contrasting beautifully with the pale fringed edges that may whitish. The texture is soft and waxy when fresh, accentuating its vivid color against the dry, textured wood.
November 25, 2024 at 7:01 PM