Hi all, any clues on ID? :)

[Steve Mackay]

Hi all
Here is a shot from a friend of mine called John Noble (he gave me permission to post it online), we have been trying like crazy to find out what it is???, but with no luck so far, any clues from your good selves would be appreciated
Cheers

Steve

[mollisia]

Hello,

fantastic shot!

This is a fungus called Phlebia merismoides (formerly Phlebia radiata).
Spectacular magnification of this detail of the fruitbody, which must have been a lot larger then the piece on the foto.

best regards,
Andreas

[Steve Mackay]

Many thanks for the positive ID Andreas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, you've solved the riddle!, very much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the best
Steve

[fairplay]

Hi There Steve,

Whilst I'm pleased WAB, or rather, Andreas has been able to help you, it seems to me this was more of a challenge than a request for help, as otherwise you would have sent a photo of the whole fungus wouldn't you have not ?

Don't get me wrong, we do like a challenge, but if this is a genuine request, surely next time it would be better to show us the entire fungus as in this case you were lucky to concentrate on a very distinctive feature of P.merismoides which is recognisable straight away (and one feature I myself have been puzzled over the meaning of its purpose for quite a long time now)
By the way, the old name of radiata comes from its habit of radiating outwards, but most resupinate fungi do anyway.

Oh yes, great photo by the way, so I can't blame you for wanting to post it to us. (wink wink)

Neil.

[fairplay]

I've worked it out (methinks !)

These raised appendices must be where the fungus had evolved to be more efficient at spore dispersal. As Phlebia merismoides is quite an easy fungus to ID, (don't shoot, don't shoot) I have never bothered to put it under the microscope, but I suspect if I were to take samples for spores, maybe most will be concentrated on these 'mini toadstools' - unless of course a different type of spore is produced here But looking at B&K 2, there is no mention of other types of spores.

Anyone go along with this ?

Neil.

[mollisia]

Hello Neil,

just from my feeling (because I have not microscoped this detail of the fungus either ...) I would tentatively say, it's just the opposit. It would think, that the orange surface (the "cap") is sterile.
Don't ask me why, it's just my feeling.

At least when you microscope the "normal" surface, you find plenty of hymenophor and spores on it. So I can't imagine that there should be even more in the orange "caps".

best regards,
Andreas

[fairplay]

Your mission Wabbers, should you decide to accept, is to all go out into the woods and search for Phlebia merismoides and report back with your findings.

Together we can crack this - good luck.

Neil.

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