Frozen Fungi

This is my series on all the fungi I find in my containers and on hikes. Some of it may be edible. This is one of the few interesting things that continues throughout the year. Some would even argue that fungi is at it's best in the winter.

Recently, I went to nobscot (January 13). I found 3 examples of fungi I had not seen before. I found all of these just west of Nupsee Pond.

The second 2 fungi above were challenges to identify and the second one could be a very white, dry, Turkey Tail Fungus

January 16th Update: Our "Back to the roots" oyster mushroom growing kit has been sitting there, unopened for days. I finally got around to opening it today, and I saw that it had already exploded free, busting through the plastic that held the mycelium together. Picture below!

It had everything it needed. Humidity, Darkness, and food. I also went for a bike ride to Carol Getchell Reservation. It is a flooded area that includes a flooded forest, a beaver pond, and the sudbury river. I found plenty of fungi worthy of this series and more.

Below, you can see a "Black Jelly Roll" - Exidia Plana. What a strange mushroom.

Last, Growing on some beech leaves and birch logs were several "Cinnabar Red Polypores" - pycnoporus cinnabarinus. I am not sure though. I am really stumped by this. Look at how it acts as a sponge, I mean, water will OOZE out as soon as i touch it.

January 17th Update: This morning, I went back to the site of the camera. I literally got zero pictures that were not of me pouring the bait. I found another Turkey Tail Polypore.

The thing below not a fungus technically, but it looks like one. That is the fruiting body of Physarum Polycephalum. This is how the Physarum makes spores... Read More

January 19th Update: Today, I walked into Carol Getchell Reservation. One of the only things worth noting for this series is my discovery of some Reindeer Lichen. The lichen favors dry, sunlit areas. This organism is taking advantage of the unblocked sunlight provided by humans clearing the power lines of trees. Turns out that some things benefit from human activity.

I also saw other lichens today like British Soldier Lichen and Pixie Cups.

January 20th Update: The oyster mushroom from the kit is sprouting now and looks much better than the first one. this is due to more moisture.

January 25th Update: I know that I have not updated on this topic lately. Last night, I was at Juniper Hill and saw violet toothed polypore along with Black witches butter.