Changes

[goosey]

Fungi is quite unfathomable some times (most times ).

One of the things that fascinates me is the speed things appear or change appearance so dramatically over night or more likely eaten. This is very frustrating if I have messed up on the photo's and I go back to try again.

Then again on my regular trips out I see the same Hoof fungus -Formes formentarius and Phellinus igniarius that I first noticed a year ago still there looking the same but slowly growing.

Honey fungus - Armillaria mellea. Image 1. Taken 10th October Image 2. 16th October.





Geastrum Sp. image 1. Taken 9th October Image 2. Taken 16th October




Coprinus lagopus – this is an overnight change.



I can guarantee that the second image of each fungi is of the same fungi.

[goosey]

These aren't all the same fungi obviously, but all the same I want to show different stages of Coprinus comatus. They were all taken at the same spot October 2008.

[Cybershot]

Stages of development of Geastrum triplex - Collared Earthstar:



I have extended Shirley's example of Geastrum development to show the initial bulb-like emergent stage and the final two stages which depict the formation of the basal 'collar' and its eventual disappearance.

[bulbosa]

How long between first and last?

[Cybershot]

A very good question and not one that has a ready made answer I'm afraid. In the past monitoring, by various members here and on WAB, of the life cycle of the fruiting bodies of both Geastrum triplex and Phallus impudicus has resulted in quite different time scales, even within the same species. The former may span many months and linger long in maturity whereas the latter can appear to develop overnight and be ephemeral by comparison. Even the emergent stage varies quite considerably: Some have witnessed quite rapid development from the 'bulb' or 'egg', whereas others have had to wait some weeks (on occasion never seeing a progression past this stage in the case of the Stinkhorn). Like so many natural phenomena it would seem prevailing conditions and environment, not to mention physiology, greatly effect what happens and when.

The following threads on WAB may give some indication:

Geastrum triplex - Collared Eathstar - Wildlife and Environment Forums

Stinkhorn - Wildlife and Environment Forums

I would be interested to hear the views and experiences of others.

Cheers

David

[Cybershot]

Originally Posted by Cybershot

A very good question and not one that has a ready made answer I'm afraid. In the past monitoring, by various members here and on WAB, of the life cycle of the fruiting bodies of both Geastrum triplex and Phallus impudicus has resulted in quite different time scales, even within the same species. The former may span many months and linger long in maturity whereas the latter can appear to develop overnight and be ephemeral by comparison. Even the emergent stage varies quite considerably: Some have witnessed quite rapid development from the 'bulb' or 'egg', whereas others have had to wait some weeks (on occasion never seeing a progression past this stage in the case of the Stinkhorn). Like so many natural phenomena it would seem prevailing conditions and environment, not to mention physiology, greatly effect what happens and when.

The following threads on WAB may give some indication:

Geastrum triplex - Collared Eathstar - Wildlife and Environment Forums

Stinkhorn - Wildlife and Environment Forums

I would be interested to hear the views and experiences of others.

Cheers

David

I have looked up my photo archive and established that the bulb stage of the Geastrum was seen on 18/08/2007 and the mature collared specimen from the same collection was captured on 30/09/2007. The final stage showing specimens during the same season from another site in the same wood were captured after 'overwintering' on 20/01/2008 and were different in many respects not the least being size and habitat. I hasten to add that the first specimens never displayed the 'stalk' characteristic

I recall the development at the same patch in 2008 was noticeably longer, probably, I'm guessing, owing to very different climatic conditions.

David

[bulbosa]

David
The reason there was no stalk is because photo 5 is a different species. As far as I know triplex will never develop into this. I will try and find which one it is likely to be.

[Cybershot]

Originally Posted by bulbosa

David
The reason there was no stalk is because photo 5 is a different species. As far as I know triplex will never develop into this. I will try and find which one it is likely to be.

We established identity from sending less mature specimens of these very large G. triples for analysis to Michael Jordan (ABFG) before they were monitored through to this stage. The occurrence of the 'collar' disappearing and the stalk effect were discussed on WAB because I questioned the ABFG verification on finding the later development.

Monster Earthstars - Wildlife and Environment Forums

It's so difficult to establish conclusive evidence in these situations and I would be only too happy to consider a different prospective, with every chance, that having appeared under the same Giant Redwood two years running, I may well be able to undertake further observations and submissions for analysis next year.

These are images of the collections in their prime:


2007 collection sent to ABFG for confirmation of ID


2008 collection from under the same Redwood

[bulbosa]

Originally Posted by Cybershot

We established identity from sending less mature specimens of these very large G. triples for analysis to Michael Jordan (ABFG) before they were monitored through to this stage. The occurrence of the 'collar' disappearing and the stalk effect were discussed on WAB because I questioned the ABFG verification on finding the later development.

Monster Earthstars - Wildlife and Environment Forums

It's so difficult to establish conclusive evidence in these situations and I would be only too happy to consider a different prospective, with every chance, that having appeared under the same Giant Redwood two years running, I may well be able to undertake further observations and submissions for analysis next year.

These are images of the collections in their prime:


2007 collection sent to ABFG for confirmation of ID


2008 collection from under the same Redwood

David
I would certainly be interested in this years finds. Looking at your photos and revisiting the threads I can see that the thick "internal" portion of the bulb that goes to make up the collar has gone not only from there but from the equivalent part on the rays. Sorry to have questioned your id's I have a regular site and have never seen them "weather" this way even the following year so felt it must be a different species.
See if that phenomonum is mentioned in your new books.

[Cybershot]

Originally Posted by bulbosa

David
I would certainly be interested in this years finds. Looking at your photos and revisiting the threads I can see that the thick "internal" portion of the bulb that goes to make up the collar has gone not only from there but from the equivalent part on the rays. Sorry to have questioned your id's I have a regular site and have never seen them "weather" this way even the following year so felt it must be a different species.
See if that phenomonum is mentioned in your new books.

It's a development in the morphology I can't quite believe either and remain unconvinced save for having very probably witnessed it myself and having it endorsed by Fungus Ken (Ken Burgess) on WAB:

"On old specimens the collar of Geastrum triplex can decay and fall off, leaving a neck visible below the spore sac."

I will be investigating these fascinating species further this year!

Cheers

David

[Cybershot]

Today's situation report can be seen on WAB:

Emerging Geastrum.sp - Wildlife and Environment Forums

Cheers

David

[goosey]

This shows a great change in Oudemansiella Mucida - Porcelain Fungus, you would hardly think it was the same fungi.

Image 1. Was taken 25-09-2008



Image 2. Was taken 03-10-2008, quite a few of these were already past it, fallen or had been knocked over. I am 99% sure this was the same group, there were lots of groups on both days all at the same stage on this fallen tree.

[goosey]

I am not really sure if this is really a giant puffball or just a large puffball, but measuring 13cm in diameter it is the largest I have ever seen.

Image 1. was taken 17-11-2008.

Image 2. today, 19-02-2009. It is now totally hollowed out and smooth inside.

1. 2.

[bulbosa]

Goosey
This is Lycoperdon utriforme rather than the Giant Puffball.

Mal

[goosey]

Thank you Mal - I will edit the image accordingly .

[goosey]

This sole Verpa conica - Thimble Morel has changed alot since the first time I saw it, not only in colour but size having shrunk by I would guess almost half its size.(It was only 3cm fully grown.)

Image 1. 10-04-2009
Image 2. 14-04-2009
Image 3. 15-04-2009
Image 4. 20-04-2009

1. 2. 3.
4.

[Cybershot]

Interesting to see the rise and fall of Verpa conica over a period of 10 days. One reference has the following vital statistics: 30-130mm tall x 5 -15mm.

[goosey]

A week ago 10-08-2009 I found this Fistulina hepatica (beefsteak fungus) on an oak. It measured 11cm high and the base of it was 9x12cm.
Today it looked rather different. It was still 11cm high but the base is now 22x31cm. The base has changed from the palest tone of orange to white (the orange on the freshly erupted fungus gradiated from deep orange at the top to pale at the bottom).

1. 2.


Image 1. 10-08-2009
Image 2. 17-08-2009

[Cybershot]

This weekend I was in the 'Summer fungi in North Holland' thread with my finger poised about to ask whether you had followed up on your original post of the emergent fruitbody. Glad to see you anticipated my query and have demonstrated what a transformation this, and other bracket species undergo. In another week I suspect it will have grown slightly more (max 30cm) and darkened considerably. This bracket causes a rot which discolours wood a rich dark brown: "Brown Oak" was much sought after by furniture makers.

David

[Cybershot]

A comment by Shirley prompted me to go out yesterday and try and find the Dyer's Mazegill - Phaeolus schweinitzii which I posted in early August. It was then a newly emerged specimen. Yet another example of how a bracket fungus transmogrifies from almost unrecognisable blob to a large exotic looking floret (and eventually blackens):


4 August 2009


18 August 2009


16 September 2009

The following images of another find show immature and mature specimens taken on the same day which demonstrate the extremes of the development:





The mature specimen of Phaeolus schwienitzii found on 15 August 2009 (see above) now looks like this:



This species does in fact fully mature into a black mass, lumps of which can often be seen scattered around sites of new finds:

[goosey]

Not a very successful fungi day again, I couldn't get to where I wanted because of Highland cattle blocking my path so I went to check on this .
From a distance there didn't look to be a difference but close up I could see how the edge had thickened and in several more places had started to dip downwards (last week there was only one spot that did this).
The base had changed colour yet again from white to a creamy yellow.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Image 1. 10-08-2009
Image 2. 17-08-2009
Image 3. + 4. 25-08-2009
Image 5. 04-09-2009
Image 6. 11-09-2009

[goosey]

Another great example of changes in fungus, this time Laetiporus sulphureus - Chicken of the Woods.

1. 2.


Image 1. 18-06-2009
Image 2. 25-08-2009

[Cybershot]

Originally Posted by goosey

These aren't all the same fungi obviously, but all the same I want to show different stages of Coprinus comatus. They were all taken at the same spot October 2008.

Like Shirley I am also intrigued by the changes in physical appearance of many species as they develop from their emergent state through to maturity. One of the most striking, as already documented by her images here, is that of Coprinus comatus (Shaggy Inkcap, Lawyer's Wig or Shaggy Mane depending on your geographical location). Within the space of 24 hours this fungus has the ability, after releasing its spores, to destroy parts of itself through a process of autodigestion which causes the cap and gills to deliquesce into a black liquid. (Further reading: The Dish on Deliquescence in Coprinus Species :Cornell Mushroom Blog )

My 2009 finds of this species further illustrate this phenomena:





As shown by Suzanne's image other species of Inkcap also display this characteristic:



Their mass rotted off them flake by flake
Til the thick stalk stuck like a murderer’s take,
Where rags of loose flesh yet tremble on high
Infecting the winds that wander by.
from “The Sensitive Plant,” Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1820
(inspired by his visions of Inkcaps)

Cheers
David

[Cybershot]

Originally Posted by Cybershot

It's a development in the morphology I can't quite believe either and remain unconvinced save for having very probably witnessed it myself and having it endorsed by Fungus Ken (Ken Burgess) on WAB:

"On old specimens the collar of Geastrum triplex can decay and fall off, leaving a neck visible below the spore sac."

I will be investigating these fascinating species further this year!

Cheers

David

I fear that the less numerous and impoverished crops of Geastrum triplex at the Minley sites will make monitoring the developments less successful and inconclusive this year. The current situation is posted here at WAB:

Emerging Geastrum.sp - Wild About Britain

[goosey]

I think that these are Agaricus silvicola, found under oak.
Image 1 +2. were taken 08-10-2009
Image 3. was taken 12-10-2009
I think it is strange that the two less developed of the three fungi aged at the same rate as the large one!

1. 2. 3.

I looked today to see if there was any change and there wasn't really, just the caps were a bit more wrinkled, so I think this is the extent of the change.