Thelephora terrestris?

[Iona F]

Something I found today in a coniferous area of a large mixed woodland, close to an area of heathland.

The only thing I can match it with is Thelephora terrestris, but although listed as widespread and common, I've never come across it, and given the descriptions in the two books I consulted (Sterry & Hughes 2009 Collins and Roger Phillips as a cross reference) I wouldn't expect to see it growing up a stick like this, it appears it ought to be in rosettes on the ground.

Any suggestions as to how 'normal' it might be to see it growing like this? The stick it's on was dead but still rooted in the ground. May even have been a dead root that had been ripped up but it was at least a 45 degree angle to the ground, not lying on it.

Any comments appreciated...

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi,

I think that this is T.terrestris, but the colour cast given by the indoor lighting makes it look somewhat different. It also looks like it is very "soggy", which is how it seems to go when past its best.

I've seen it growing on dead stumps, twigs, even up and around living fern stems, so I don't think that it is too unusual to have found it growing up a "stick".

I've only found it about half a dozen times in three years. So it certainly isn't as common as the books would make out in my local area.

Regards,
Mike.

[Iona F]

Thanks

Was pretty sure, but the way it was growing threw my confidence a little...

Not at all soggy, but you're right about the indoor lighting, made it an absolute pig to photograph, and the macro function on the camera won't work with a flash, leaves a big shadow on the bottom half of the photo.

Eventually I'll realise that spare batteries are essential when carrying a camera in the field.

Appreciate the reply