Friday, August 25, 2017

Mycology 101

In the morning I usually carry my mug of tea outside, see what needs attention in the garden, and take a little walk around. I often see a mushroom or two, but with a fairly wet summer and lots of rain and humidity recently, the fungus growing conditions must be ideal. Yesterday morning I was surprised to find at least 13 different types of mushrooms in my yard, each one different, interesting, or weird in
its own way.

Some are normal, average, and even cute.


Others seem to burst through the ground in a pushy, demanding way.


There are some bright red ones,


and a tiny yellow one.


This one looks almost floral, with its cap split like petals.


And then there are the ugly, malevolent ones that have an evil look and smell.


I was glad to spy a few that look like the sweet ones fairies and frogs use for umbrellas in fairy tales.



Each variety seems to grow in its own preferred area of the yard, depending on how shady, sunny, and damp it is. There are a few that the squirrels like to chew on and then stagger around the yard, high on some sort of psilocybin. I don't know the names of any of them, but will be visiting the library this weekend to look for an identification book. I'm not fond of the ugly ones but the fairies are welcome to visit and live under any of the others!

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!
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16 comments:

  1. CaroleAugust 25, 2017 at 8:13 AM

    Those are awsesome, I'm impressed that there is so much variety!

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  2. AsKatKnitsAugust 25, 2017 at 8:28 AM

    Wow... that is quite an impressive fungi collection!

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  3. karenAugust 25, 2017 at 8:44 AM

    We have a few sprouting up in our yard too. A definite sign of fall for me :)

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  4. Vicki KnitoriousAugust 25, 2017 at 9:18 AM

    Wow. That's amazing -- so much variety!!

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  5. VeraAugust 25, 2017 at 9:55 AM

    I'm amazed at the variety you have also. We get them, but no where near the variety you have. I love the fairy umbrella ones. We have a mushroom identification book, but I'm always wary of trying one that is supposed to be "safe" for humans.

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  6. margeneAugust 25, 2017 at 10:43 AM

    You have quite an assortment! You have "high" squirrels? Well, I never.

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  7. KymAugust 25, 2017 at 11:17 AM

    WOW! I get a lot of those floral-looking ones in my yard, so I'll be eager to learn what you find out about them. We have been in a "rain-shadow" this summer --- lots of rain (lots) to the north and west, but we are having a cool, dry summer. I have some interesting fungi growing here and there on tree stumps, but not many mushrooms. I love the sweet "fairy" and toadstool varieties you have growing in your yard!

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  8. Becky R.August 25, 2017 at 1:23 PM

    I have a yard full, just like you. I also have tons of squirrels, and I have never seen them nibble on any of them. That's hilarious! I think the red ones are quite poisonous. I also have a lot of moss in my yard. It has been very wet here most of the summer. My new DIL is from Russia, and she says she would go mushroom hunting every fall with her family. We finally figured out chanterelles are the ones that they hunted for in Russia, and they are her favorite. They are difficult to find here, and they are very expensive! Please report on what you find out about yours. A very interesting post, Bonny!

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    1. BonnyAugust 25, 2017 at 8:27 PM

      That is quite interesting! Even if I can identify any of the ones here, I can't imagine that I'll ever be quite sure enough to try eating any of them! I bet the red ones are poisonous because the squirrels never touch them. I was surprised at how many different varieties I saw in just our small yard, but I don't think I have any chanterelles!

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  9. PattyAugust 25, 2017 at 2:00 PM

    I've been checking them out at the lake down the street and have noticed some crazy stuff growing out of the side of trees too! I love your variety...maybe you could have a little mushroom museum with the squirrels as a high point! (I crack myself up!) Have a wonderful week-end too!!! XO

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  10. kathy bAugust 25, 2017 at 7:46 PM

    I have never seen a pink mushroom. So cool! Love this fungal post!

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    1. BonnyAugust 25, 2017 at 8:44 PM

      Thank you! It was a bit strange, but everywhere I looked there was some new, different, and weird mushroom, so I had to write about it. Have a good weekend!

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  11. JaneAugust 25, 2017 at 8:57 PM

    Quite interesting for sure! We have a few mushrooms now and again but never such variety. The hitchhiker in the previous post looks lovely. How was the sprinkle cake?

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    1. BonnyAugust 25, 2017 at 9:12 PM

      Thank you! The cake actually looked better than it tasted. All those sprinkles just created a waxy, sugary crust. I ended up throwing away the frosting and sprinkles and eating just the naked cake!

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  12. BridgetAugust 27, 2017 at 8:44 AM

    Well, now you are forcing me to share two Mycology related items.

    1. Stupid joke: A mushroom walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry, we don't serve your kind." the mushroom responds, "Why not? I'm a fungi." [rim shot]. I'm here all week, tell your friends.

    2. The classification number for Mycology in the Library of Congress system is QK 600. In case you want to read up about it.

    There, didn't that just make your day??

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  13. AnonymousAugust 27, 2017 at 8:16 PM

    The idea of "high" squirrels amused me no end. LOL

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