Unknown Coprinus and Brackets

[flaxton]

I am maybe not finding THE current favorite but still plenty to keep me occupied. These three are the ones I need help with. The first is a bit past its best but superficially looks like the Dichomitus in another thread. The second a large (up to 12" across) hard surfaced bracket growing on a dying oak. The surface of the new growth is a distinctive red. The final one a coprinus of some sort.
Thanks

Mal

[NickCantle]

You're right about the Dichomitus looking one. It's got the characteristics of D. campestris.

[mykonik]

Originally Posted by flaxton

I am maybe not finding THE current favorite but still plenty to keep me occupied. These three are the ones I need help with. The first is a bit past its best but superficially looks like the Dichomitus in another thread. The second a large (up to 12" across) hard surfaced bracket growing on a dying oak. The surface of the new growth is a distinctive red. The final one a coprinus of some sort.
Thanks

Mal

Hi Mal,

The first could be (tentatively !) Dichomitis campestris (but is a bit far gone by the look of it ! ). However there is a blackish band at the point of attachment so I won't argue too much about this one !

The second is definitely Heterobasidion annosum. Even though it is on oak I might add - it is thought that H. annosum may be a 'species complex', the 'species' in it delineated by the host species on which they grow, since they exhibit different mating characteristics to the 'classic' taxon, on conifer stumps (and even those might be part of the 'complex' !) - however 'they' are not yet worked out (and probably won't be for years !) - but it most definitely does occur on various broadleaved trees !

And the third is ...................................????????????? - Maybe old Coprinellus (Coprinus) micaceus ??


Nick

[flaxton]

Nick
Thanks for Heterobasidion and micaceus - there were lots of micaceus about but they were all a bit lighter in colour. Dichomitus has not been registered for Yorkshire. Would Kew be able to make a positive ID if I dried the specimen and sent it off? Is there any other examination I could do to eliminate anything similar.
Thanks

Mal

[mykonik]

Originally Posted by flaxton

Nick
Thanks for Heterobasidion and micaceus - there were lots of micaceus about but they were all a bit lighter in colour. Dichomitus has not been registered for Yorkshire. Would Kew be able to make a positive ID if I dried the specimen and sent it off? Is there any other examination I could do to eliminate anything similar.
Thanks

Mal

Yes, I am sure (well, I would hope !) that they would look at it if you sent them the dried specimen and habitat notes, location, date of collection - how long it takes to get an answer would be be another matter, so you might have a long wait (you could always address it to Peter Roberts so it got personal attention !)
But if you say in the letter that Dichomitis is what you think it is AND that it would be a new record for Yorkshire it might speed things up !

Nick


Send it to Mycology Dept, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB

[flaxton]

Thanks for that Nick I will do that.
Mal

[flaxton]

email arrived from Kew about this bracket

"Yes, your collection is Dichomitus campestris - albeit sterile. It has the distinctive binding hyphae also found in Polyporus spp"
first for Yorkshire

and here is another from today



Could it be Phellinus? pointers please

Mal

[NickCantle]

That's great news Mal, well done mate Who needs Morels anyway

[mykonik]

Originally Posted by flaxton

email arrived from Kew about this bracket

"Yes, your collection is Dichomitus campestris - albeit sterile. It has the distinctive binding hyphae also found in Polyporus spp"
first for Yorkshire

and here is another from today



Could it be Phellinus? pointers please

Mal

I won't be smug and say 'see I told you so' but congratulations Mal on the Dichomitus find and the fact that (even though sterile) that is a good, VALID and VERIFIABLE record for Yorkshire ! {See, the benefits of herbarium material - no one can argue with that record since it isn't just a paper one !)

The fungus in your second picture is old Datronia mollis by the look of it, rather than Phellinus punctatus (unfortunately !) which would be a pale cinnamon-brown colour amongst other things !

A handy tip - if you ever find a pale brown resupinate Phellinus you can always separate P. punctatus from the similar looking P. ferruginosus or P. ferreus but microscopically examining the edge of the basidome and a squash of the pore wall - even if sterile P. punctatus COMPLETELY lacks any thick walled hairs (setae) ANYWHERE in its basidiome whereas the other two ALWAYS have them somewhere in the basidiome (usually numerous and easily found as well !)


Good find !


Nick