Help with fungi ID needed :)

[cutecoot]

Just going through all my fungi pix and labelling up, but can't seem to find this one in my pocket guide .. (I'm sure I found it before!) It's quite unusual and distinctive looking, so I'm sure someonewill know the answer straight away - I'm a bit of a novice at this at the moment (hence will probably be uploading a few more pix later on for help on ID as I go through them ...!)

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by cutecoot

Just going through all my fungi pix and labelling up, but can't seem to find this one in my pocket guide .. (I'm sure I found it before!) It's quite unusual and distinctive looking, so I'm sure someonewill know the answer straight away - I'm a bit of a novice at this at the moment (hence will probably be uploading a few more pix later on for help on ID as I go through them ...!)

Most likely the Common Earthball - Scleroderma citrinum

John

[Fungalpunk]

Distorted Scleroderma sp methinks. Aerolatum or citrinum...

[cybershot]

An Earthball splitting open to disperse its spores no doubt.
David

[cutecoot]

Oh, thanks for that all, gets so confusing with these things because they look so different at each stage of their lives ..! (Bit like how confusing it can be with birds when you have to take into account juvenile plumage, winter plumage, etc, etc !)

OK, can label that one up now ... will no doubt be back with more later!

[cutecoot]

Oh, now the question is ... is it a common or a smooth earthball ...?

[cutecoot]

Bit confused with this one too:



I thought immediately Birch Polypore, but then my other pix of Birch Polypore have zones near the outer edge and is paler in colour:



I thought the first one could be a beefsteak fungus, but then my reference book says that grows on oak and sweet chestnut, and not birch.

(I know these fungi IDs are probably a bit basic, but I guess we all have to start somewhere, and what better place than with you guys in WAB! )

[CapAndBracket]

Both your images are Piptoporus betulinus (birch polypore), they vary due
to age and weathering just like us.

I is always helpful if you turn one of the speciemens upside down so the
pores/gills can be seen, you are right to mention substrate which can be
a big hint (though sometimes fungi jump host).

These are a good example of how easy/difficult fungi can be, pore surface
a fairly smooth of white all over, easy, well yes but now we are getting to
the time of year when P.betulinus is worth more than a cursory glance, as
they are getting old so they get attacked by other fungi, so you can find
them with pore surfaces covered in other fungi, when you find one covered in little red dots confusion can ensue (that was me until recently).

Cheers J.P.

[KeenTeen17]

they are birch polypore all right. It also confuses things when a dead one turns up covered in moss

[cutecoot]

Thanks JP 'tis all very confusing! (and glad to hear it is even for those a bit more expert at it! ) I really thought they were two different things as they looked so different.

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

... they vary due to age and weathering just like us ..

Speak for yourself, JP ..