Snow then thaw

[jonbem]

So many of us over recent weeks have experienced levels of snow and negative degree temperatures (my car showed -15 but I guess lower locally in places). I ask our more experienced members "Do any fruiting fungi survive or even proliferate at these temperatures?" If not, then when may we expect any next "first fruits"?

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by jonbem

So many of us over recent weeks have experienced levels of snow and negative degree temperatures (my car showed -15 but I guess lower locally in places). I ask our more experienced members "Do any fruiting fungi survive or even proliferate at these temperatures?" If not, then when may we expect any next "first fruits"?

These I found yesterday after the thaw and I am surprised there is a dearth of Flammulina velutipes - Velvet Shank tho' they may now fruit profusely:



I also note from the recent WAB Mince Pie meet in Kent that Scarlet Elfcup is begining to show and I will soon be scouring known haunts for Arrhenia chlorocyanea, Polyporus brumalis and Phaeogalera dissimulans.

keep searching

David

[earthdragon64]

I've found Chanterelles locally in January in previous years despite periods of deep snow and temperatures of around minus 20C. I expect that they were leftovers from the previous growing season that had frozen, but they looked pretty good.

There is also a type of fungus that seems to grow on Broom, that I've seen in previous Decembers, often in the snow.

Regards, Audrey.

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by cybershot

These I found yesterday after the thaw and I am surprised there is a dearth of Flammulina velutipes - Velvet Shank tho' they may now fruit profusely:



I also note from the recent WAB Mince Pie meet in Kent that Scarlet Elfcup is begining to show and I will soon be scouring known haunts for Arrhenia chlorocyanea, Polyporus brumalis and Phaeogalera dissimulans.

keep searching

David

Would be keen to pin down the 3rd specimen of a dung Mottlegill (possibly a Panaeolus species)

Here are another couple of views to help with the ID:



Appreciate any steers, thanks

David

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by cybershot

Would be keen to pin down the 3rd specimen of a dung Mottlegill (possibly a Panaeolus species)

Here are another couple of views to help with the ID:



Appreciate any steers, thanks

David

Further investigation following Andreas' suggestion leads me, macroscopically speaking, in the direction of Stropharia semiglobata var stercoraria the umbonate variety; now synonymous with Stropharia semiglobata - Dung Roundhead (refs: C&D, Jordan and FOS vol 4, p365).

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

I've found Chanterelles locally in January in previous years despite periods of deep snow and temperatures of around minus 20C. I expect that they were leftovers from the previous growing season that had frozen, but they looked pretty good..

I reckon you might be right as I've seen them in December before, although not when there is snow about. They last ages because nothing attacks them which is good because you never have to worry about beasties inside.

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

There is also a type of fungus that seems to grow on Broom, that I've seen in previous Decembers, often in the snow.

I've seen Velvet Shank on Broom in February so I wonder if this is what you're seeing.

[cybershot]

Yay! Finally found some


Flammulina velutipes
Velvet Shank
8 January 2011
Bartley Heath, Hook, Hants
First Mushketeers Foray of the New Year.

A good succesful foray for Xylariacaea, jellys, brackets and resupinates too:


Xylaria polymorpha
Dead Man's Fingers

Alas no sign of Sarcosypha yet.

David

[Gerel]

From New Years Eve just as the heavy snow thawed,



Oyster fungus on a dead hawthorn branch.

(I don't think there's anything else it could be is there?)

[SheffieldLass]

Yesterday I visited the wood chip piles that had been prolific with fungi before the snow began on Nov 23, and which 6 1/2 weeks later have finally re-merged from the snow. Still thousands of Psathyrella on them, looking a bit frosted it must be said. It will be interesting to see if they continue fruiting as before - they've still got plenty of food to fuel them. Hypholoma marginatum were in good numbers, some frosted, some very newly emerged and looking pristine. Some remnants of Pluteus cervinus too, though they weren't looking at all happy anymore I think they'd had a bit too much snow, just like the rest of us.

Also found nearby what I think was Hygrophorus hypothejus, though it hadn't survived the snow very well ... as Herald of Winter it's timing was about normal, only the winter came in autumn this year ...

Does anyone know, do any fungi develop and fruit under the snow, or are those we find as the snow melts ones that got caught and preserved by freezing under it?

Melanie

[flaxton]

I found some Tubaria the other day poking though an ice sheet. When I lifted the ice there were some younger specimens laid flat because of the weight of the ice but obviously still growing and very pale as though they were being "forced".

Mal