Cultivate knowledge from the forest floor. Learn about the adaptations that has lead to this species global distribution.
Many of the most bizarre mushrooms on the planet are extremely elusive. Here's something you probably didn't know: fungi are the unsung heroes of tree and plant care. One specific type of fungus, the Mycorrhizal fungus, (say that three times fast!) forms an essential symbiotic relationship with plant roots. Mycorrhizal fungi help tree and shrub roots find water and nutrients. In return, the roots give the fungi carbon, carbohydrates, and other nutrients. Want to learn more about fungi? Here are 16 of our favorite fungi facts.
Mushrooms - There are about 10,000 named species in North America, which comprise only a third or a fifth of all existing mushrooms. Some are edible, while others are considered poisonous and some other species
From a 'bleeding tooth' mushroom to one that appears to wear a veil, here are the world's weirdest, rarest, and most beautiful mushrooms.
patriciaouukevineu38
According to Wikipedia the Common Split Gill (Schizophyllum commune) is the world's most widely distributed mushroom, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. It is found predominantly from autumn to spring on dead wood, in coniferous and deciduous forest. Often when fungi appear to be similar but occur on widely separated continents, DNA analysis shows that their genetic separation is so great that they should be classified as distinct species. Thanks to the work of John Raper and colleagues at Harvard University over two decades from the 1950s to the 1970s we know that Schizophyllum commune is one species worldwide. Roper and friends collected Split Gill mushrooms from all over the world. From germinated spores they grew mycelia and showed that as two strains are of different mating types they were able to mate with one another. They also discovered that Schizophyllum commune has more than 28,000 sexes, an adaptation that minimizes the risk of siblings mating and hence maximizes the genetic diversity by achieving nearly 100% outbreeding with new genetic stock. Although European and US guidebooks list it as inedible, this is apparently due to differing standards of taste rather than known toxicity, being regarded with little culinary interest due to its tough texture. S. commune is, in fact, edible and widely consumed in Mexico and elsewhere in the tropics.
From a 'bleeding tooth' mushroom to one that appears to wear a veil, here are the world's weirdest, rarest, and most beautiful mushrooms.
A lichen is a composite organism consisting of a fungus and an alga functioning in a symbiotic relationship.
Mushrooms - There are about 10,000 named species in North America, which comprise only a third or a fifth of all existing mushrooms. Some are edible, while others are considered poisonous and some other species
Many outdoor photographers will often see a great opportunity for an interesting foreground when they come across a patch of moss (as you can see from the images below). But moss or lichen can also be great subjects themselves. These 50 photos of moss and lichen show what can be done with a little imagination when you're in the great outdoors. Smurf House by Vik Nanda, on FlickrMisty Moss by me'nthedogs, on Flickr Study of the Moss by mysza831, on Flickr Green by Desmond Kavanagh, on Flickr Untitled by isado, on Flickr Civilization's End by Kansas Poetry (Patrick), on Flickr
Explore Emma_Seward's 1329 photos on Flickr!
Types of trees with fungi, moss and lichen on them. (all credit goes to the owners of these photos)
Lichens are an association between various species of fungi and algae. The orange mushroom-like growths here are apothecia, fruiting bodies of the fungus. This may be a Teloschistes species. It's growing on a dead misquite twig. Onion Creek Greenbelt, Austin.
Cladonia lichen and Polytrichum piliferum, Bristly Haircap moss Photo courtesy Sonia Allen I f it can be said that mosses are the car...
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Part of 2 meter x 1 meter patch on ground Wildsumaco, Ecuador, 6/2012
Parmotrema species. Lichens are essentially fungi that incorporate algae or cyanobacteria to provide energy--or as lichen biologist Trevor Goward puts it, "Lichens are fungi that have discovered agriculture." Onion Creek Greenbelt, Austin.
At the "Sand" site at the Slaughtering Ground Barrens in Clinton County. With an unidentified moss.
Explore Michiel Thomas' 15874 photos on Flickr!
Cultivate knowledge from the forest floor. Learn about the adaptations that has lead to this species global distribution.
Australia-based photographer Steve Axford loves to travel to the remotest corners of the earth, capturing the lives of people, animals, and most importantly, fungi. His fascinating photographs of the diverse world of fungi seem to picture a fantastic expedition to some distant alien world.
From a 'bleeding tooth' mushroom to one that appears to wear a veil, here are the world's weirdest, rarest, and most beautiful mushrooms.
Nấm lỗ chó có hình thù như bạch tuộc, nấm phát ánh sáng xanh trong bóng tối hay nấm răng chảy máu là những loài nấm kỳ dị trên thế giới.
Cribraria cancellata
These weird mushrooms are so bizarre, you might wonder if they’re from this planet. Here are 9 of the funkiest fungi and their fascinating natural powers.
patriciaouukevineu38
Explore Furious purpose's 7036 photos on Flickr!
From a 'bleeding tooth' mushroom to one that appears to wear a veil, here are the world's weirdest, rarest, and most beautiful mushrooms.
Mushrooms - There are about 10,000 named species in North America, which comprise only a third or a fifth of all existing mushrooms. Some are edible, while others are considered poisonous and some other species
Most people consider mushrooms to be the small, ugly cousins of the plant kingdom, but theirs is a surprisingly beautiful and wonderful world waiting to be explored. These beautiful mushrooms, captured by enthusiastic nature photographers, are a far cry from the ones you find in the woods or your local grocery store.
From a 'bleeding tooth' mushroom to one that appears to wear a veil, here are the world's weirdest, rarest, and most beautiful mushrooms.
I found some wonderful fungi on a dead branch that fell out of a Tuliptree. This is a Common Split Gill Fungus, Schizophyllum commune. The literature describes it as a common fungus of worldwide distribution, but it’s something that I rarely encounter here. The Split Gill Fungus is a type of shelf fungi. The fruiting body emerges from dead wood and develops into a horizontal fan. The gills on the lower side of the fan produce the spores. In some places the fungi emerged as scattered individuals. In other locations, a tight mass was produced. It may just be my mood of the season, but when I see this I can’t help but think of some date based confection covered in powdered sugar. One of the defining characters of this fungus is the thick layer of white hairs covering the upper surface. At first glance, I thought these were still wearing a covering of frost. Even when packed tightly together, the individual fungus will spread itself in a way that facilitates the spread of the spores. They look like something you should be seeing on a coral reef instead of a dead branch. I might have named these the Cat’s Paw Fungus. It’s not hard to imagine a cat reaching out to grab you. I’m not sure how well these fungi will fare at ground level, but their plummet from the tree certainly afforded me several moments of pleasurable observation.
