We spotted a pom-pom of (edible, medicinal) lion’s mane fungus high in the crook of an oak tree.
Tag: fungi
Omphalotus olivascens
We saw these huge, gorgeous, rich orange-gold mushrooms growing among the roots of a coast live oak. Apparently this species is bioluminescent! And poisonous. Says Wiki: ”while not lethal, consuming this mushroom leads to very severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.”
itty-bitty
We had 200mm (8 inches) of rain over a couple of days. Mushrooms are, well, mushrooming everywhere!
Astraeus
I’m always happy to come across an earthstar, especially in my own backyard.
Suillellus amygdalinus
Fungi season has begun.
under the oaks
I spent much of the day at beautiful King Gillette Ranch, both staffing a booth for Malibu Creek State Park, and enjoying the music of the annual Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest. I plucked this mushroom from under the nearby valley oak and was intrigued by its strong smell, so I asked a few people to sniff and describe. We settled on soy saucy chocolate. Later I found fresh specimens of the same species; their aroma was much milder. No, we were not tempted to taste them.
under oak
Fun outing with the Channel Islands Nature Journalers. It was my first time seeing an elfin saddle (Helvella dryophila)! What an interesting-looking fungus.
Anthracobia
I went off trail, down by the creek, and watched the little fishies, while listening to birdsong. Then I noticed this interesting fungus that reminded me of confetti sprinkles. iNaturalist tells me it’s in the Anthracobia genus.
fungi
Found in the fruit bowl. Mm mmm, mouldy lemon 🥴
early blight
I was late planting tomatoes this year. There’s been a lot of rain, which I thought they’d appreciate, but they seem to be afflicted with some kind of fungus, most likely “early blight”. The remedy for all the fungal afflictions seems to be the same, a copper-based spray applied every 7 to 10 days. Continuing research over here …
hashiworks 