Some more for ID please

[TeresaW]

I'll emphasise again, I'm a complete beginner at fungi identification, and need to get some reference books. So I need the help of all you experts out there.


First of all, is this one Giant Polypore - Meripilus giganteus? And are the black ones above just old dead ones of the same, or another variety? Found on an old beech stump.






This second one has probably seen better days, but I'm still not sure what it could be at all.



And the last, I haven't got a clue, but thought it interesting. I think it's another that has seen better days unfortunately.



Thanks for looking

[Chris Yeates]

hi

top one - yes and no

youngish Meripilus looks a good shout - the fruit-bodies above belong to the ascomycete fungus Xylaria polymorpha, dead-man's fingers

the bottom one looks to be the early stage of another ascomycete Hypoxylon fragiforme on beech . . .

oh - and was there one in the middle ? . . . .

best wishes

Chris

[TeresaW]

Thanks Chris.

See, I'm learning

OK I did think of Xylaria polymorpha but wasn't sure of it.

Now I've looked up the Hypoxylon fragiforme I think you're right, and it was on the beech trunk felled from the previous stump.

Yes there was a middle one, nice pic eh?

[TeresaW]

These were taken on Friday. What are the chances of them still being there if I go back tomorrow morning?

[fairplay]

I think your middle one is Trametes gibossa.

Neil.

All your fungi will be there for a few more months, at least.
The Meripilus giganteus will slowly become blackish and dry up and the white brackets in the middle should become covered in a green alga.

[TeresaW]

You are probably right Neil, having looked at the pics on here.

Thanks for that