Douglas County, Missouri
September 7, 2020
Over the past few weeks we have had an unexpected amount of rainfall — not the flooding type, just a good soaking rain almost every day for about 10 days. On a recent morning walk I encountered several different types of fungi. Ahhh! A bucket full of mushrooms and other fungi is in the works!
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Most of the fungi I saw today were growing on tree trunks and boughs — most of which were fully alive, such as this Jelly (or wood) Ear Fungus:
Auricularia auricula-judae, known as the wood ear, jelly ear, or by a number of other common names, is a species of edible Auriculariales fungus found worldwide. The fruiting body is distinguished by its noticeably ear-like shape and brown coloration; it grows upon wood, especially elder.
Jelly Ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae) growing on a living tree bough (bigger)
Not far from that tree, I saw this large fungus on the side of another tree trunk. I have done my best to try to identify each of these different species, but I could very well be wrong on any of them, so let me know what your verdict is. My best guess for this one is Dryads Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus):
Family: Polyporaceae
Description: Large, fleshy, scaly, yellowish tan bracket fungus; large, yellowish white pores; short stalk; smells like watermelon rind. Grows singly or in layers, on living or dead deciduous wood. May–October. Cap circular to fan-shaped; yellowish tan; covered with dark, hairy scales. Pores large, angular; yellowish white. Stalk stublike; blackish at base; off-center, tough. Spore print white. Spores magnified are oblong, elliptical, smooth.
Dryads Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) — my best guess — any suggestions? (bigger)
But I am fairly sure that the next photo is correctly identified. These Fairy Parachutes (Marasmiellus candidus) are growing on the side a small tree, and they are tiny!
Fairy Parachutes (Marasmiellus candidus) — growing on a small tree (bigger)
I thought I had identified this next type last year, but according to FungusID I was wrong. This may be Macrolepiota procera, the parasol mushroom:
Macrolepiota procera, the parasol mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungus with a large, prominent fruiting body resembling a parasol. It is a fairly common species on well-drained soils. It is found solitary or in groups and fairy rings in pastures and occasionally in woodland. Globally, it is widespread in temperate regions.
Macrolepiota procera, the parasol mushroom (bigger)
Earlier this year I came across the following cluster of mushrooms, which was identified by FungusID as possibly being Galerina marginata:
Galerina marginata, known colloquially as the funeral bell or the deadly skullcap, is a species of poisonous fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae of the order Agaricales.
Galerina marginata, known colloquially as the funeral bell (bigger)
And this is a Chanterelle — although one site says “Golden Chanterelle” the other says “Smooth Chanterelle”:
Cantharellus lateritius, commonly known as the smooth chanterelle, is a species of edible fungus in the mushroom family Cantharellaceae. A ectomycorrhizal species, it is found in Asia, Africa, and North America.
Golden Chanterelle growing in our woods (bigger)
And another polypore fungus:
Hapalopilus nidulans is a species of polypore fungus in the family Polyporaceae. Officially described in 1821, it was transferred to its current genus Hapalopilus six decades later. It is commonly known as the tender nesting polypore, purple dye polypore, or the cinnamon bracket.
Hapalopilus nidulans is a species of polypore fungus in the family Polyporaceae. (bigger)
Then there was this brightly colored mushroom:
Russula emetica, commonly known as the sickener, emetic russula, or vomiting russula, is a basidiomycete mushroom, and the type species of the genus Russula. It has a red, convex to flat cap up to 8.5 cm in diameter, with a cuticle that can be peeled off almost to the centre.
Russula emetica, commonly known as the sickener (bigger)
And then there is the one I can’t find! I know I took photos this spring when we found the morels! But I have looked through all my February, March and April photos to no avail. Oh well, I guess I can embed a link to the MDC web page: Morels: Morchella species
I will leave you with one more that I have no clear idea of its identity. FungusID says 28.82% Lepiota castanea, 20.79% Laccaria laccata, and 20.59% Leratiomyces ceres. iNaturalist also offers Laccaria laccata (the Deceiver) and Cantharellus cinnabarinus (Red Chantarelle). I guess I’ll vote for the one that is on both lists, the Deceiver.
Laccaria laccata, commonly known as the deceiver, or waxy laccaria, is a white-spored species of small edible mushroom found throughout North America and Europe. It is a highly variable mushroom, and can look quite washed out, colorless and drab, but when younger it often assumes red, pinkish brown, and orange tones.
is this tiny mushroom Laccaria laccata (the Deceiver) — or is it something else? (bigger)
Now that I am totally confused and unwilling or unable to come to a decision on what most of these actually are, I will turn this over to you!
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Now It's Your Turn
Do you have any interesting mushrooms, toadstools or other fungi growing in your area? What have you noted happening in your area or travels recently? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.
