ID for fungus growing at base of poss Mulbery tree

StreathamDebs · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2012, 11:33 PM

Exploring my new garden and have another query for you - this is under what I think might be a Mulbery but I'm not sure. Leaves are big. Troop about 1 foot in dia and old knife next to specimen for scale. Stem has ridge running up it. Can understand your fascination with these - they are beautiful. Thanks for help.

fairplay · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 09:38 AM

As you can imagine by now, we are struggling with this one - it could be an old Agaricus species, but I have never seen one with those colours on the stem, or even having a groove along the stem.
To make things worse, the photo is too contrasty, so we cannot see any cap surface detail and the sample you have shown us is just too far gone.

Keep an eye open for when it shows again and in the meantime buy a decent camera, for a better quality photo increases the chances of an ID.

Neil.

Chris Yeates · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

. . . . in the meantime buy a decent camera. . . .
Neil.

perchance a bit rude Neil?

Chris

fairplay · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 10:13 AM

You're leaving me speechless Chris, and I have to question your motives ?

I certainly had no intention of being rude, all I have done is offer practical advice.

Neil.

fairplay · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 10:50 AM

For clarification Debs:

I can see you have gone to the trouble of placing a knife next to the fungus for size comparison, and positioned the specimens so that gills and cap are showing but unfortunately your camera (I'm assuming a mobile phone camera) cannot seem to cope with a high contrast subject - that is why I suggested you obtain a better camera.

It's a shame the other poster couldn't have been more helpful and come up with his own suggestions - perhaps he will even apologise.

Neil.

StreathamDebs · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 02:11 PM

No offense taken. I do have a decent camera but was being lazy and using a mobile! Haven't unpacked my camera yet (just moved house).

It was extremely bright outside and had just finished raining.

Silly question I suspect when is this likely to show again? Do they die back completely and regrow each autumn? I was probably a bit late photographing this.

ashgale · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 02:18 PM

i think this could be an Armillaria (Honey Fungus) species
i've been finding lots in similar condition to this one now that a bit of frost has blackened them somewhat,
but as Fairplay says the pics don't show too much detail to be sure,
if it is Honey Fungus, then i fear for your Mulberry trees future, if its not already to late that is.

ashgale.

King Edward · #8 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 04:18 PM

It does look like Honey Fungus - a couple of trees in our garden (unfortunately including an old and very beautiful Japanese Maple) currently have clusters of Honey Fungus mushrooms in a very similar looking condition.

Is your Mulberry looking at all sickly?

fairplay · #9 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 04:27 PM

Honey Fungus is what went through my mind too, but I didn't want to cause any unnecessary worry. Although the spores are white and gills are pale, when old, they do turn blackish like this.

This probably won't show again now until early next October.
If this is Honey Fungus, look around for any tree stumps in the garden which could have already succumbed to this dreaded disease.

A crafty previous owner would have gone to great lengths to disguise any such evidence, and what about the tree itself ? I suppose with all the leaves now fallen, it is going to be difficult, but you could look for dead branches as an indication things ain't well.

Keep the photos you have taken and even print out this whole thread as evidence of your early problems, because if it is of any consolation, the previous owner had a duty to inform you of any serious diseases or irregularities before selling the house. Any dead stumps would be evidence they knew there was a problem.

Fingers crossed, it isn't Honey Fungus, but be prepared just in case.

Neil.

King Edward · #10 (**permalink**) 03-01-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

...if it is of any consolation, the previous owner had a duty to inform you of any serious diseases or irregularities before selling the house.

Are you sure about this?

Back to the original post, you should be able to find lists of trees/shrubs which are relatively resistant to Honey Fungus attack, so if you were thinking of putting in new trees then it would be sensible to avoid planting the more susceptible species.