Kretzschmaria Question

[KeenTeen17]

Is kretzschmaria deusta the same as ustulina deusta? Also how do I tell it from a young peniophora quercina?



My philips says that they both grow on discarded branches but my K. deusta is growing where an old branch was cut off the main tree,

[NickCantle]

Hi matey,

If you look at Kretzschmaria deusta in your Phillips, just under it in Italics, you should see 'Ustalina deusta'. If there's an Italicised name just under the name in bold, it means that it is a previous synonym- a name that it may be recognised by but is not in use in current and up to date literature.

About telling the difference- the tell tale thing is the feel of the thing, which means you'll have to interact with your subject somewhat. Have a good feel! Kretzschmaria deusta is hard and has a texture almost like that of honeycomb. At the end of its life cycle, it will go very brittle and if you apply pressure to it with something like a stick or a stone, it'll crumble up! On the other hand, Peniophora quercina is described as somewhat gelatinous (though the word brittle is applied, so it may get quite complicated).

All good fun

[KeenTeen17]

thanks. Nick!