Specimen #15

Lycoperdales - The true puffballs

Firgure 1: Lycoperdon pyriforme.

Figure 2: Lycoperdon pyriforme.
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/morganella_pyriformis.html

Name: Lycoperdon pyriforme previously called Morganella pyriformis
Common Name: Pear-shaped puffball

Family: Lycoperdaceae

Collection Date: 4th Oct. 2011 

Habitat: Found growing in clusters beneath some trees.    

Location: West Woods Park
Description: Fruiting bodies white in colour and soft to the touch and pear-shaped. When cut open spore mass in white.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 298.

1b. Yound puffball cut shows white firm fleshy spore mass (gleba) and usually thin outer skin...5

5b. Pear-shaped with base, less than 7cm thick...16

16a. Outer skin light brown, smoothor with a few hairs, in clusters on wood---> 364. L. pyriforme.

Ecology: This fungus is saprobic on dead wood of hardwoods and conifers. They usually grow in clusters during fall and winter. They are also very widely distributed and common throughout North America  (Kuo, 2008).

Kuo, M. (2008 November). Morganella pyriformis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/morganella_pyriformis.html

Links
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/morganella_pyriformis.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycoperdon_pyriforme

http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6358.asp

Specimen #14

Earth Tongues & Other Ascomycetes

Figure 1: Xylosphaera polymorpha.

Figure 2: Up close picture of Xylosphaera polymorpha.

Name: Xylosphaera polymorpha 
Common Name: Dead Man's Finger

Family: Xylariaceae

Collection Date: 4th Oct. 2011 

Habitat: Found growing along the trail in some soil.    

Location: West Woods Park
Description: Fruiting bodies spherical and black in colour and at various lengths. Fruiting body hard, not very soft and club-like. 

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Figure 3: Xylosphaera polymorpha. found on rotting wood.

Introduction Key pg. 341.

1a. Fruiting body with stalk and head...2

2b. Head variously shaped but not cup-shaped...3

3b. If flattened not yellow...4

4b. Head round, depressed, or cylindrical...5

5b. Not green...6

6a. Fruiting body branched...7

7a. On wood, black, irregular with finger-like clubs--->412. X. polymorhpa

Ecology: This fungus is saprobic. Usually found growing on rotting tree stumps and they can grow in clusters.

Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylaria_polymorpha

http://healing-mushrooms.net/archives/xylaria-polymorpha.html

Specimen #13

The Teeth Fungi - Hydnaceae





Figure 1: Hericium coralloides found growing on decaying log.







Figure 2: Small section of Hericium coralloides that was collected from larger fungi (fig. 1).



 

Name: Hericium coralloides 

Common Name: Comb Tooth Fungi

Family: Hericiaceae  

Collection Date: 4th Oct. 2011 

Habitat: Found on fallen decaying log on a hillside.    

Location: West Woods Park
Description: Very large fungi, in one big cluster about 1 foot or more across. Removed small part of fungi for collection. Fungi white, with tooth-like projections on each branch. "Teeth" of fungi hanging straight down.   

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Figure 3: Hericium coralloides.

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 282 Hdynaceae.

1a. Cap absent; fruiting body with long white, delicate hanging teeth...2

2b. Multiple branches with long spines...4
4a. Teeth hanging only from branch tips---> 332. H. coralloides

Ecology: This fungus is saprobic and possibly parasitic. They can grow alone or in clusters, usually on fallen hardwood branches. They grow throughout late summer and fall. They are widely distributed and very common throughout North America (Kuo, 2003). 

Kuo, M. (2003, October). Hericium coralloides. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hericium_coralloides.html


Links
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hericium_coralloides.html

http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/teeth%20and%20spine/species%20pages/Hericium%20coralloides.htm

Specimen #12

Gilled Mushrooms - Basidiomycetes

Figure 1: Picture showing underneath cap of Corprinus comatus and inky-like liquid.  

Figure 2: Cap of Corprinus comatus showing up-curled edges and brown scales on top of cap.

Name: Corprinus comatus 
Common Name: Shaggy Mane

Family: Agaricaeace  

Collection Date: 29th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found in clusters underneath some pine trees.    

Location: Hiram College Campus

Description: Large cap about 2-3 inches across, white with brown scales on cap and the edges of the cap curled up. Underneath cap very black which gives off ink-like liquid.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Figure 3: Corprinus comatus.

Introduction Key pg. 170 Corprinaeace.

1b. Cap coloured or coloured with scales...3

3b. Cap large (2-8cm broad, 3-12cm tall, conic, wrinkled margins)...7
7a. Cap narrowly conic, white, brown scales---> 188. C. comatus

Ecology: This fungus is saprobic. They can grow alone or in clusters and grow throughout summer and fall. They are widely distributed throughout North America (Kuo, 2008). 

Kuo, M. (2008, February). Coprinus comatus: The shaggy mane. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/coprinus_comatus.html


Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coprinus_comatus

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/coprinus_comatus.html

Specimen #11

Beech Bark Disease




Figure 1: Diagram showing the life cycle of Beech Bark Disease.
Please click on picture for an up close view.



Figure 2: Beech Bark Disease of branch collected.



Name: Beech Bark Disease. Fungus: Nectria coccinea
Collection Date:  11th Oct. 2011

Habitat: Fungi found on fallen branches beneath Beech tree. 

Location: Hiram Field Station
Description: Perithecia or fruiting body very small only approximately 1cm or less. Orange-brown in colour and found in clusters on the branch.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin



Figure 4: Sexual stage of Nectria fungus, showing perthecia.



Ecology and Life Cyle of Beech Bark Disease: Beech Bark Disease is a complex that infects and kills the species of tree the American Beech tree or Fagus grandifolia. This disease is distributed throughout eastern North America and parts of Canada, it was originally introduced from Europe in 1929. The life cycle of disease happens in two stages; the insect and then the fungus. A small (0.5-0.1mm) insect called the Beech Scale or Cryptococcus fagisuga colonize on the beech tree and feed on the sap of the inner bark, causingopen wounds on the tree bark. This stage looks like large amounts of wool covering the bark of the tree. The feeding of the beech scale then allows for the introduction of the fungus called Nectria or Nectria coccinea which is a pathogen. The Nectria fungus then enters the tree killing woody tissue that can sometimes cause cankers on the tree. This fungus allows forms fruiting bodies called perithecia which are round, and orange-brown in colour. Each perithecia has a sac filled with spores that are usually released in fall and are carried by the wind. There is also an asexaul stage of the fungus, which looks like white cushions that produce asexual spores which can also be dispersed by the wind. (O'Brien et. al., 2000)



Figure 3: Asexual stage of Nectria Fungus.


Links
http://michigansaf.org/ForestInfo/Health/BBdisease.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beech_bark_disease
http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/beechbark/fidl-beech.htm

Specimen #10

The Boletes

Figure 1: Top of fruiting body of Suillus luteus.

Figure 2: Suillus luteus.

Figure 3: Porus underneath of fruiting body of Suillus luteus.

Name: Suillus luteus
Common Name: Slippery Jack or Sticky Bun

Family: Boletaceae  

Collection Date: 29th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found in clusters underneath some pine trees.    

Location: Hiram College Campus

Description: Large cap about 5-5.5 inches across. Underneath cap porus and yellow in colour.Top of fruiting body brown.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 241

1b. Cap and stalk may be hairy but not as above...2

2b. Tubes straight, veritcally arranged, mouths open; widely distributed...3
3b. Tubes not radial arranged, mouths often round to angular, viscid cap...Suillus

Key to Suillus pg. 247

1a. Veil and/or annulus present...2

2b. Veil leaves a ring...3

3a. Cap viscid to glutinous surface...4

4b. Cap smooth, viscid to glutinous surface...5

5b. Cap and veil not bright yellow to red, under or near various conifers...6

6b. Cap convex but not knobbed, viscid to glutinous, variously coloured but not olive-buff; widely distributed--->287. S. luteus

Ecology: This fungus is mychorrizal with various species of pine trees. Can be found all over the northern hemisphere and grows throughout spring, summer and fall.

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suillus_luteus
http://boletales.com/genera/suillus/s-luteus/

Specimen #9

Gilled Mushrooms - Basidiomycetes

Figure 1: Amanita muscaria showing fragments of volva a base of stalk.

Figure 2: Amanita muscaria cap colouring; orange fading to light yellow.

Figure 3: Amanita muscaria in less mature stage than above picture (cap has not flattened).

Name: Amanita muscaria
Common Name: Fly Agaric

Family: Amanitaceae

Collection Date:  29th Sept. 2011

Habitat: Fungi found beneath a cluster of pine trees. 

Location: Hiram College Campus



Figure 4: Up close picture of less mature Amanita muscaria's cap.



Description: Medium sized, about 4 1/2 inches tall. Middle of cap orange fading to light yellow to edge of cap. Stalk white with volva present. 

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.

Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 23
1a. Gills free from stalk...2
2a. Volva present or pieces of volva in duff around stalk base, warts present on cap, ring present or absent...pg. 24 Amanitaceae

Key to Amanitaceae. 1b. Volva in fragments over bulb...7

7b. Cap with a definite pigment...9

9b. Cap light yellow to yello, orange, green or red...13

13b. Cap yellow, orange to red...15

15a. Cap large, warts white, volva white...16

16b. Stalk base lacking the concentric rings---> A. muscaria

Ecology: This fungus is mychorrizal and usually found under pine trees.

Links
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Amanita_muscaria.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_muscaria

Specimen #8

The Polypores

Figure 1: Porus underneath surface of Ganoderma applanatum. Showing brown bruising when scratched.

Figure 2: Top surface of Ganoderma applanatum.

Name: Ganoderma applanatum 
Common Name: Artist's Fungus or Conk

Family: Polyporaceae

Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found attached to fallen, rotting branch on hillside.   

Location: South Chagrin Reservation

Description: About 6-6.5 inches across. No stem present. Top of fruiting body dark brown and underneath white/grey and porus. Body also very hard, not easily broken.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 273
1b. Spore-bearing surface composed of pores...2

2a. Fruiting body forms large, woody, perennial corks. Shelf-like...3
3a. Cap surface smooth, appearing shellacked; shelf-like fruiting body...4

4b. Cap surface brown; pores bruising when scratched ---> 319. Ganoderma applanatum.

Figure 3: Ganoderma applanatum growing shelf-like on a tree.

Ecology: This fungus are saprotrophs and sometimes parasitic, growing alone or in groups on rotten logs or stumps. It is very common and widely distributed in North America (Kuo, 2004).

Links

Kuo, M. (2004, February). Ganoderma applanatum. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_applanatum.html

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_applanatum.html

http://mushroom-collecting.com/mushroomartist.html

Specimen #7

True Puffballs

Figure 1: Scleroderma aurantium showing inside containing dark coloured spores.

Figure 1: Scleroderma aurantium

Name: Scleroderma aurantium
Common Name: Common Earthball or Pigskin poison puffball

Family: Lycoperdales

Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found underneath trees amoungst some rotting wood.  

Location: South Chagrin Reservation

Description: About 1-1.5 inches tall. Friuting body tan- brown in colour with wart-like protrusions. Flesh very firm and hard to tear. Spores dark brown. 

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 299
1a. Young puffball cut in half shows firm purple to purple brown fleshy spore mass (gleba) and often thick outer skin...2
2a. Fruiting body small, 3-6cm broad; outer skin into lobes but never curving back like an earthstar...3
3a. Outer skin covered with warts ---> 351. Scleroderma aurantium.

Ecology: This fungus is mycorrihzal with conifers and hardwoods. They are widely distributed and can be found alone or in clusters (Kuo, 2004).

Links
Kuo, M. (2004, December). Scleroderma citrinum. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/scleroderma_citrinum.html
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/scleroderma_citrinum.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleroderma_citrinum

Specimen #6

Ascomycetes

Figure 1: Leotia lubrica

Figure 1: Up close photo of Leotia lubrica

Name: Leotia lubrica

Family: Leotiaceae
Common Name: Jelly Baby

Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found underneath trees amoungst some rotting wood.  

Location: South Chargin Reservation
Description: About 1-1.5 inches tall. Yellow-olive green in colour- stalk and fruiting body same colour. Fruiting body irregularly shaped (lumpy) and gelatinous.

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 341
1a. Fruiting body with a stalk and head...2
2b. Head variously shaped but not cup shaped...3
3b. Fruiting body not flattened at top...4
4b. Head round, depressed, or cylindric, sometimes branched...5
5a.Head oval, wrinkled, yellow-green, viscid, stalk greenish and viscid ---> 411. Leotia lubrica.

Ecology: This fungi is a saprotroph, usually found growing under conifers and hardwoods during late spring - fall. They are widely distributed and common througout North America (Kuo, 2003).

Links
Kuo, M. (2003, June). Leotia lubrica. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/leotia_lubrica.html
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Leotia_lubrica.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leotia_lubrica

Specimen #5

Polypores

Figure 1: Polyporus Veriscolor over-lapping clusters on log.

Figure 2: Polyporus Veriscolor

Name: Polyporus veriscolor (updated: Trametes versicolor)
Common Name: Turkey Tail

Family: Polyporaceae

Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found attached to tree branch.

Location: South Chagrin Reservation

Description: About an inch in size. Microscopic pores present on surface. Colours layered ranging from dark brown to tan.

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 273
1b. Spore-bearing surface composed of pores...2
2b. Not hoof-shaped or large...11
11b. Convex without any stalk, often imbriate (overlapping) and shelflike...18
18a. Pores lilac to purplish, usually in dense overlapping clusters...19
19. ---> 272. Polyporus Veriscolor

Ecology: This fungi is typically found growing in over-lapping clusters on stumps and logwoods from fall to spring in North America.

Links
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/aug97.html
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Trametes_versicolor.html

Specimen #4

Coral Fungi

Figure 1: Clavicorona pyxidata

Figure 2: Clavicorona pyxidata

Name: Clavicorona pyxidata

Family: Clavariaceae
Common Name: Crown-tipped Coral Fungi

Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found in clusters underneath trees.

Location: South Chargin Reservation
Description: About 1 inch tall. Tan in colour. One shoot with several branchings and tips of branches crown-shaped.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 233
1b. Multiple-branched fruiting bodies...5
5a. Delicately branched, without a fleshy base; spores white...7
7b. Branches irregular to equal branching...8
8b. Branches equal with crown-like tips; pale pink to tan ---> 272. Clavicorona pyxidata

Ecology: This fungus grows from June-September throughout North America. Usually found growing on rotten or decaying wood. Very distinguishable because of its crown-like tips (Kuo, 2007).
Kuo, M. (2007, April). Artomyces pyxidatus. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/artomyces_pyxidatus.html

Links
http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Fungi_Miller_Stevens_Rumann/Pages/clavicorona_pyxidata_page.html
http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/club%20and%20coral/species%20pages/Clavicorona%20pyxidata.htm
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/artomyces_pyxidatus.html

Specimen #3

Coral Fungi

Figure 2: Clavulina Cristata



Figure 1: Up close picture of Clavulina Cristata



Name: Clavulina cristata
Common Name: White coral fungi

Family: Clavariaceae

Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011 

Habitat: Found in clusters underneath trees.

Location: South Chargin Reservation
Description: About 1 inch tall. White in colour. One shoot with several branchings and tips of branches crown-shaped.  

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 233
1b. Multi branched fruiting bodies...5
5a. Delicately branched, without a fleshy base, whites spores...7
7b. Branches irregular to equal branching...8
8a. Branches irregular, with fine tips; white tinted yellow ---> 271. Clavulina Cristata

Ecology: This fungus is a saprotroph. Usually found in clusters or solitary on the ground or sometimes on rotten wood in both coniferous and hardwood forests. Widely distributed in North America (Kuo, 2007).
Kuo, M. (2007, April). Clavulina cristata. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/clavulina_cristata.html

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clavulina_cristata
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Clavulina_cristata.html
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/clavulina_cristata.html

Specimen #2

Gilled Mushroom

Figure 1: Hygrophorus speciosus- view of stalk and adnexed gills.

Figure 2: Hygrophorus speciosus- view of top of fruiting body.

Name: Hygrophorus speciosus
Common Name: Waxy Cap

Family: Hygrophoraceae
Collection Date: 13th Sept. 2011

Habitat: Found under a cluster of trees.

Location: South Chargin Reservation

Description: Measured about 1.5-2 inches tall and cap about 1.5 inches. Fruiting body bright red-orange in colour. Gills adnexed. Stalk white. 

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.

Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 47
1b. Fruiting body coloured...11
11a. Cap bright yellow, green, orange, pink or red...12
12b. Cap some other colour...13
13b. Cap ovoid shape to convex, if conic then not pointed...15
15b. Cap not orange, or if not orange infused with yellow or red...18
18a. Cap orange-red over center to yellowish orange over margin ---> 35. H. speciosus

Ecology: Species are ground dwelling and mycorrhizal. Typically found in woodland areas and are associated with the larch tree. Worldwide distribution.

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophorus 

Specimen #1

Jelly Fungi



Figure1: Exidia glandulosa on fallen branch.

Figure2: Up close view of Exidia glandulosa.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1156639



Name: Exidia glandulosa
Common Name: Black Witche's Butter

Family: Auriculariaceae
Collection Date:  13th Sept. 2011

Habitat: Fungi found on a fallen branch beneath a cluster of trees. 

Location: South Chagrin Reservation

Description: Small, only about 0.5cm (each head). Dark brown and gelatinous. In clusters on branch, a few not clustered.

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

 

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.

Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 317
1a. Not stalked, earlike, cuplike or irregular masses; always on wood...2
2b. Jelly-like masses of earlike lobes, yellow orange to brown...3
3b. Brown to gray-brown lobes...5
5b. Smaller, 2-6cm long, lobed, dark brown ---> 381 Exidia grandulosa.

Ecology: saprotroph, growing on recently fallen and rotting branches, usually encountered in both spring and fall. Widely distrubuted throughout North America (Kuo, 2007).

Kuo, M. (2007, April). Exidia glandulosa. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/exidia_glandulosa.html


Links

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/exidia_glandulosa.html
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1156639
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhNwJvTbJxo