Triffid Fungi?

[Mad about Nature]

Hi again,
I know I should'nt really be here but rather at WAB's sister site (bit feminist is'nt it - can't it be WAB's brother?)
Anyway, one last before I depart, thought it might interest you all and YES it was found in Japan. Again have no idea if they are prominent in Britain but this little fella was about 5cm high with the cap (if we can call it that) being 2cm across and of a downy texture.
It was also growing out of stoney, moss covered ground.

I'm afraid that's all I can give you.



Any help would be as always, very muchly appreciated.

Ant

[flaxton]

Ant
I think it is Helvella macropus or your Japanese equivalent.

Mal

[Mad about Nature]

Damn, you guys are good!
That did'nt take long, thanks for that Mal.
It seems that this Elfin Cup has not fully opened at this point then or was it never going to (Elfin Saddle?)
On recent research it appears that Macropus are known to grow in China and Japan.

But hey, I'm just happy to know the Genus these days.
Thanks again.

Need to dig out something a little bit more tricky next time!

Ant

[Ditiola]

Hi
Helvella ephippium also looks like a likely candidate and I note from my Japanese fungi book this also occurs in Japan

Peter

[Mad about Nature]

It certainly does,
even more so than H.macropus and yes H.ephippium does grow in Japan and from a few images I have viewed they look more similar in comparison than do H.macropus, although the shot of H.ephippium on WAB here seems to lack that downy texture on the saddle.

Great stuff,
Thanks Peter

[cybershot]

ephippium: Head more or less regularly saddle-shaped, margin somewhat inrolled and not fused with the stalk. Hymenium smooth, gray-brown, outer surface gray-ochre and finely flaky-velvety.
macropus: Head more or less symmetrically saucer shaped, rarely becoming somewhat saddle-shaped with age. Hymenium smooth, gray to gray-brown, outer surface and margin distinctly felt-hairy (felt consisting of tiny tufts of hair)
Ref: Breitenbach & Kranzlin, Fungi of Swittzerland

[Meta menardi]

Why does a picture of Mick Jagger flash in front of my eyes?

[flaxton]

Sorry about the bum steer Ant. H ephippium is not one I have heard of let alone seen.

Mal

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Why does a picture of Mick Jagger flash in front of my eyes?

Coz you're old and decrepid like me ?
(It does look like him) !

Neil.

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Coz you're old and decrepid like me ?
(It does look like him) !

Neil.

When I read this I thought you were talking about me I'll have to change my profile picture

Mal