Unidentified fungus growing from discarded carpet

[Iamiko]

Hello, I was hoping you could help me identify this particular fungus? I'm inquiring about it as it is growing from the carpet that's been left for several months (pre-Christmas) out in the yard behind the house. My landlord is planning on getting rid of the carpet soon and I was wondering what it was and if he should take any precautions when disposing of it? It appears to be growing throughout the carpet and underlay.

I noticed it a few weeks ago, about the time we started getting a lot more warm days in this area, a few miles from a tidal bay. The carpet sustained water damage within the house and was outside for an extended duration, has been next to the wheelbin and in a shady location that usually only gets mid-morning sunshine.

The first photo was taken without any size reference points and I uploaded it before it occurred to me , took an additional two photos with a penny in the shot.



Also, any critique on my photography is welcome too!

Many thanks in advance!

[fairplay]

A big Hi There Iamiko ! and welcome to WAB.

There is nothing to fear from this fungus, but there is something to fear from the fungus being present, if you see what I mean, for this is a tell-tell sign of the carpet having been used to wrap up a body, being placed in the boot of a car and disposed of. Burn the evidence quickly.

Back in the real world, this is highly likely to be Peziza domicilliana, which occurs frequently in damp buildings and not just carpets, it can grow on damp mortar too.
Other species of Peziza can also occur, and that may be the case in this instant as your fine specimens seem a bit dark for P.domicilliana.

But whatever type of Peziza it is, you need not worry about health problems for it is the microscopic mould fungi which must also be present which are the ones to avoid breathing in the spores.
Then again, it is only smokers or those with damaged lungs that need to be a bit cautious - if you're healthy, just dispose of the carpet in the proper way.

Neil.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by fairplay

A big Hi There Iamiko ! and welcome to WAB.

There is nothing to fear from this fungus, but there is something to fear from the fungus being present, if you see what I mean, for this is a tell-tell sign of the carpet having been used to wrap up a body, being placed in the boot of a car and disposed of. Burn the evidence quickly. . . . .

Neil.

Amateur! For me and da boyz it's lino every time, burns quicker . . . .

P. cerea is also a possibilty . . . . as I've mentioned before a friend had this on the carpet in the boot of her (not-very-well-kept) car - made mapping the species fun!

Cheers

Chris

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Iamiko

Hello, I was hoping you could help me identify this particular fungus? I'm inquiring about it as it is growing from the carpet that's been left for several months (pre-Christmas) out in the yard behind the house. My landlord is planning on getting rid of the carpet soon and I was wondering what it was and if he should take any precautions when disposing of it? It appears to be growing throughout the carpet and underlay.

I noticed it a few weeks ago, about the time we started getting a lot more warm days in this area, a few miles from a tidal bay. The carpet sustained water damage within the house and was outside for an extended duration, has been next to the wheelbin and in a shady location that usually only gets mid-morning sunshine.

The first photo was taken without any size reference points and I uploaded it before it occurred to me , took an additional two photos with a penny in the shot.



Also, any critique on my photography is welcome too!

Many thanks in advance!

Hello Iamiko,

I agree with Fairplay in that your fungus is more likely to be Peziza domiciliana. P. cerea I believe is more of a masonry inhabitant, mortar etc etc. But I know how versatile these organisms can be and constantly surprise me. Your photos aren't bad but neither are they good, more sharpness of the image would would be good. The context is fine though, habitat and features. What camera are you using? I would recommend a Canon 20d or better.

Good with it all.

Andy

[Chris Yeates]

if you were to collect some and dry it for one of us to look at it, we should be able to sort it of course . . .

spores smooth = P. cerea
spores finely warted = P. domiciliana

unless it turns out to be something else completely!

Chris

[Iamiko]

Hi all and thankyou for the replies!

Originally Posted by Andy Overall

What camera are you using? I would recommend a Canon 20d or better.

I've got a Panasonic FZ45 but I'm still getting to grips with it so still using automatic settings (plus I was jittering from too much coffee and squatting down to take the photos) hence the quality will be a bit off.

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

if you were to collect some and dry it for one of us to look at it, we should be able to sort it of course . . .

spores smooth = P. cerea
spores finely warted = P. domiciliana

unless it turns out to be something else completely!

Chris

What would be the best/correct procedure for drying a sample? You've piqued my curiosity now and I'd also like to put a definitive tag on the photos in case anyone stumbles across them and has the same/similar questions.

Originally Posted by fairplay

A big Hi There Iamiko ! and welcome to WAB.

There is nothing to fear from this fungus, but there is something to fear from the fungus being present, if you see what I mean, for this is a tell-tell sign of the carpet having been used to wrap up a body, being placed in the boot of a car and disposed of. Burn the evidence quickly.

Knew I should have hidden that door-to-door salesman better!

Back in the real world, this is highly likely to be Peziza domicilliana, which occurs frequently in damp buildings and not just carpets, it can grow on damp mortar too.
Other species of Peziza can also occur, and that may be the case in this instant as your fine specimens seem a bit dark for P.domicilliana.

But whatever type of Peziza it is, you need not worry about health problems for it is the microscopic mould fungi which must also be present which are the ones to avoid breathing in the spores.
Then again, it is only smokers or those with damaged lungs that need to be a bit cautious - if you're healthy, just dispose of the carpet in the proper way.

Neil.

>.< and guess who's a smoker... doh!

Will advise my landlord about it so he has some peace of mind. The house does have damp problems and having a burst hot water tank in the bathroom above was the reason for it being replaced.