Unknown fungus found in flower bed

arimmer · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 08:37 AM

When weeding my flowerbed on Sunday I found what I believe is some kind of fungus. It consists of hollow spaces about 3cm in diameter, irregular and immediately below the soil surface. These have a wall of whitish 'fungus' a couple of millimeters thick around them. The occur both singly and in clumps of several very close together (perhaps joined).

The soil is fairly sandy with lots of small stones, and currently fairly dry due to weather and the presence of an (exotic) conifer next door. I'm in Berkshire.

I also remember finding some about this time last year.

Does anyone have any idea what they might be and what I would need to look for or where I should look to aid identification?

cybershot · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 08:43 AM

Not a great deal to go on - any chance of a photo? Could possibly be one of the Morel family.

A warm welcome to WAB!

David

arimmer · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 09:08 AM

I'll try when I'm next home in the light but it's not easy photographing something which is underground (even if only just).

Any tips on what I should try to get pictures of?

FungiJohn · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arimmer

I'll try when I'm next home in the light but it's not easy photographing something which is underground (even if only just).

Any tips on what I should try to get pictures of?

Hi arimmer and a warm welcome to WAB. If you look at the 'morel' fungi images that are in the fungi Gallery you will get a good idea if it is a morel type and also how the photograph was taken.

Message - Wildlife Photography

John

arimmer · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the image links - will try to get photos as good as those

Don't think it is a morel type after looking at the pictures linked, so photos coming up (should be able to take some tomorrow, weather and toddler permitting).

arimmer · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 08:51 AM

Here are the pictures I took yesteday - two of one I didn't disturb when weeding (or not much anyway, it did have a little soil inside it but that's all) and one of one which got dug up. I put a fair bit of detail in the descriptions if you can see that.

Chris Yeates · #7 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 09:11 AM

hi

this is very interesting, it is possibly a Geopora species; I would definitely recommend monitoring its progress and collecting and drying a voucher specimen for later study

cheers

Chris

NickCantle · #8 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 12:10 PM

I found some similar specimens that were a little darker. They are in sand on a Pine verge outside of work. I came to the conclusion that they were either Helvella or Geopora. They are dried up now, but would it be advisable to collect a few dry specimens to rehydrate and check under the 'scope?