Help identify this fungus please

[crystal_singer]

Hi

Could anyone help me to identify this fungus please?

I went to Springwood Picnic Site on Sunday and spent a good few hours taking photos of some of the fungi there.

As I was about to leave, I caught sight of this which was growing from a wooden fence.

I was amazed at the size of it and also the colour, but I have no idea what species it is, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Side view:


Top view:


Thanks

Dawn

[Chris Yeates]

hi Dawn

(and welcome to the forum!)

the growth form of this fungus looks rather atypical and therefore not straightforward to hazard an ID - (I suspect it has suffered somewhat from all the rain on Sunday)

it could possibly be velvet shank Flammulina velutipes (though that's only a suggestion - what I can see of the stem isn't typical but . . . . (see comments above)

best

Chris

PS another thought - if the fencepost was of a softwood - it could be a Gymnopilus

[crystal_singer]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

hi Dawn

(and welcome to the forum!)

the growth form of this fungus looks rather atypical and therefore not straightforward to hazard an ID - (I suspect it has suffered somewhat from all the rain on Sunday)

it could possibly be velvet shank Flammulina velutipes (though that's only a suggestion - what I can see of the stem isn't typical but . . . . (see comments above)

best

Chris

PS another thought - if the fencepost was of a softwood - it could be a Gymnopilus

Hiya Chris,

Thanks for the welcome, and also for the possible species.

I agree it probably took some beating from the early rain on Sunday, as it had pelted it down here.

I've googled the two species you suggested, and I agree it is possibly one of the two. It is very difficult to distinguish which of the two it is, although the gills of the latter, i.e., Gymnopilius appear to be more the colour of the one in my photo.

The fungus was growing from a fence post so I couldn't get a clear view of the stem as it seemed to sprout from where the two wood posts joined.

Although when I felt it, it was quite waxy/velvety, so that makes me think it may be the former, velvet shank Flammulina velutipes .

Anyway, thanks for your help in pointing me in some direction as I didn't have a clue where to start with this one. I will do a bit more research and may even take a chance and go back to the woodlands to see if it or another is there for me to have a closer look at.

Cheers

Dawn