A crust for ID

SheffieldLass · #1 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 09:20 PM

This was found on oak (I think) today. The way it has cracked looks as if ought to be a distinguishing feature, particularly as it was seemingly fresh rather than dried out.

Melanie

FungiJohn · #2 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 10:40 PM

Hi Melanie

Could it possibly be a Athelia sp.

It looks familiar but I can't think to what!

John

mollisia · #3 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 11:19 PM

Hallo John,

no, not at all. Athelias are all white and very thin and like a spider web. They never make such crusts.

best regards,
Andreas

FungiJohn · #4 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 11:31 PM

Hi Andreas and thanks. It certainly is different!

John

Chris Yeates · #5 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 12:59 PM

for what it's worth I don't think that cracking is a diagnostic character, and that it's probably down to recent weather conditions in this region . . .

Chris

rich ard · #6 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

This was found on oak (I think) today. The way it has cracked looks as if ought to be a distinguishing feature, particularly as it was seemingly fresh rather than dried out.

How about old + dried out Fuligo septica??

CapAndBracket · #7 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 05:12 PM

Fuligo septica dries within a couple of days of formation and turns into
a cloud of dust, (but iv'e been wrong before).

Cheers J.P.

Chris Yeates · #8 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

Fuligo septica dries within a couple of days of formation and turns into
a cloud of dust, (but iv'e been wrong before).

Cheers J.P.

I quite agree J.P. - this is a resupinate fungus (not quite sure where Fuligo septica comes from in this context

)

cheers

Chris

rich ard · #9 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

I quite agree J.P. - this is a resupinate fungus (not quite sure where Fuligo septica comes from in this context

)

cheers

Chris

In my defence I am not convinced this is a truly resupinate fungus, the picture gives me the impression of a slime mould with a thin crust that would disintegrate if disturbed.

richard

Chris Yeates · #10 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich ard

In my defence I am not convinced this is a truly resupinate fungus, the picture gives me the impression of a slime mould with a thin crust that would disintegrate if disturbed.

richard

hi Richard

I agree that the term 'resupinate' is a catch-all and covers quite a range of fungal groups with this life form - this one could well form brackets in the right circumstances; but the way it has cracked suggests to me it's been around for quite a while (weeks I would say) in a way in which a myxo just wouldn't . . . J.P. is right when he says it would have just "blown away"

and if you look around the cracks and particularly along the leading edge at the lower left, it is clearly hyphal and therefore not a slime-mould;
you get this sort of cracking in Peniophora - see:
http://www.hlasek.com/foto/peniophor...ata_aj8479.jpg
and
http://www.myco-vaud.ch/albums/smv20..._WEB.sized.jpg

note those white areas of subhymenium that have been exposed by the cracking - very like those in Melanie's photo

regards

Chris