A strange sight...

[waynehicks1]

Recently I spotted a very strange fungus which was in the latter stages of decay. It was bright yellow and when I touched the fruit body the whole thing collapsed into a pile of yellow dust.

I've never seen anything like this before and was wondering if anyone else had experienced this while out on a foray? Is this kind of decaying process related to a certain genus/species or could this be the result of parasitic fungus invading the fruiting body of another fungus.

I kick myself for not taking a picture!

Regards

Wayne

[fairplay]

This is extremely common with members of the Bolete family (includes Paxillus involutus)

it is simply under attack from another fungus commonly referred to as blah blah (I forget) (something chrysosperma ?)

Neil.

[waynehicks1]

Thanks Neil, mystery solved.

[the naturelover]

Hi saw lots of this last year. Quite noticeable for its safron yellow colour. It attacks various bolete.
Hypomyces chrysopermus.
regards tn.

[fairplay]

You can never find something when you're in a hurry !

Anyway, I've found it in Phillips page 352, here it is named as Hypomyces chrysospermus, but I learnt from Andreas Gminder (Mollisia) that this name is only given to the very rarely seen sexual stage.

It starts off white and turns golden yellow when all those powdery yellow asexual spores are very evident (which I am sure is what you are seeing) and this asexual state should correctly be called Sepidonium chrysospermum.

Just call it Bolete Mould, we'll know what you mean.

Neil.

[Monkeyd]

Saw this last year & was talking with Andy about it only the other day, had totaly forgotten what he called it.

Thanks for the heads up tn & Neil

[Chris Yeates]

also not uncommon on Paxillus involutus (brown roll-rim) -
British Fungi - record details

which shows that fungi are good taxonomists - one wouldn't immediately think of Paxillus as a bolete - but it is . . .

Chris

[the naturelover]

Chris you are such a mine of information.!! I just wish I could find some decent specimins so that I can pester you for id's again. Not been a good few months for fungi here in brum
regards tn