We hope you have enjoyed the SRGC Forum. You can make a Paypal donation to the SRGC by clicking the above button

Author Topic: Are there any fungus experts out there?  (Read 3063 times)

annew

  • Daff as a brush
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5423
  • Country: england
    • Dryad Nursery: Bulbs and Botanic Cards
Are there any fungus experts out there?
« on: October 26, 2008, 09:37:56 AM »
A friend found these earthstars growing in the bottom of her hedge near the bottom of an old tree stump (probably Ash) in North Yorkshire. I can't find anything to match in any of our fungus books or on Google. Any ideas anyone?
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

www.dryad-home.co.uk

David Nicholson

  • Hawkeye
  • Journal Access Group
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 13117
  • Country: england
  • Why can't I play like Clapton
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2008, 09:49:45 AM »
Anne, are you sure it's not ET back for a visit ;D
David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

David Shaw

  • SRGC Publications Manager
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1228
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2008, 11:49:17 AM »
Are you sure that he neighbours children didn't make those at playgroup, Anne ;) Two separate pieces of fungus and a match stick.
David Shaw, Forres, Moray, Scotland

David Pilling

  • Computer Guru
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 459
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2008, 11:51:20 AM »
I only know what Google suggests - "Geastrum fornicatum"

David Pilling at the seaside in North West England.

annew

  • Daff as a brush
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5423
  • Country: england
    • Dryad Nursery: Bulbs and Botanic Cards
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2008, 12:19:31 PM »
G. fornicatum doesn't seem to have the pointed opening to the spore capsule. Also the 'arms' are very thin and papery on this specimen, and the whole thing is completely detached from the ground.
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

www.dryad-home.co.uk

Ulla Hansson

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 198
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2008, 10:13:13 PM »



Hi Anne,
I think your fungus can be a Geastrum pectinatum.
Ulla Hansson 45 kilometers east of Gothenburg

David Lyttle

  • Mountain Goat
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 998
  • Country: 00
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2008, 09:36:35 AM »
Hi Anne,

I can not suggest a species name for your Geastrum but they look a bit past their best. Here are two New Zealand examples of the genus.
David Lyttle
Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, South Island ,
New Zealand.

annew

  • Daff as a brush
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5423
  • Country: england
    • Dryad Nursery: Bulbs and Botanic Cards
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2008, 11:58:26 AM »
Thanks, folks. Still not convinced! It's the papery 'arms' that seem to distinguish this one from any I've looked at so far.
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

www.dryad-home.co.uk

Maggi Young

  • Forum Dogsbody
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 44777
  • Country: scotland
  • "There's often a clue"
    • International Rock Gardener e-magazine
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2008, 12:11:25 PM »
Okay... what about Geastrum striatum, then??
see this pic....     http://www.grzyby.pl/foto/kk/kk-DSCF1209.jpg  ( Edit: this  link may only work if you copy and paste the link into another open browser page)


I think the paperyness comes as the thing ages, though.... the G. pectinatum "arms"  get thinner and more papery as they age and detach from the ground, too, I think... ???
« Last Edit: November 06, 2008, 11:28:29 AM by Maggi Young »
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

annew

  • Daff as a brush
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5423
  • Country: england
    • Dryad Nursery: Bulbs and Botanic Cards
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2008, 09:51:55 AM »
Can't open that link, Maggi.
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

www.dryad-home.co.uk

Maggi Young

  • Forum Dogsbody
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 44777
  • Country: scotland
  • "There's often a clue"
    • International Rock Gardener e-magazine
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2008, 11:23:22 AM »
Sorry, Anne, try this one: http://www.grzyby.pl/gatunki/Geastrum_striatum.htm

or this one: http://www.grzyby.pl/foto/06-060627-8246.htm


I cannot open the first link I gave in my post above ( November 04, 2008, 12:11:25 PM) either, though I can if I copy and paste it into another browser page ...... strange.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2008, 11:26:52 AM by Maggi Young »
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

annew

  • Daff as a brush
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5423
  • Country: england
    • Dryad Nursery: Bulbs and Botanic Cards
Re: Are there any fungus experts out there?
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2008, 08:34:25 AM »
I've sent a specimen to our local fungus recorder to look at. Watch this space!
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

www.dryad-home.co.uk

 


Scottish Rock Garden Club is a Charity registered with Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR): SC000942
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal