Of course many of you know that fungi and lichens have a lot in common. The main difference is that lichens have learned to “farm”. Meaning that the fungus part of a lichen uses the algae or cyanobacteria to help with its nutritional needs. The fungus has been lichenized. The scientific names refer to fungal component of the lichen. Scientists still have a lot to discover about these types of organisms.
The Lepraria lichens do not make a big color change when damp. Mostly it stays this beautiful mint green. So it is easy to spot. It can be found on trees and soil!
White shelf fungus nestled among the damp green lichens! Whether fungi or lichens, some are partial to a certain substate. Here their homes were on a fallen branch.
Not ones to pass up a good puffball. We poked to help set the spores free!
This lichen got me excited. I had only recently ID it over at the Caddo NG in the spring. It probably is common here, but when I get something new and shiny, I tend to start seeing everywhere. This is the Perorated Ruffle Lichen (Parmotrema perforatum)! Do you see the hole at the bottom of the apothecia (fruiting body/ cup)? Dead give away! And it was just laying in the middle of my path on the ground. Obviously it had fallen from the trees above in the previous night storm.
A cluster of small white mushrooms on fresh fallen wood.
Nearby were beautiful large white mushrooms. We wondered if this group might have been more mature of the same species? Both had gills that were extending down the stipe/stem.
In fact, the top view was just as gorgeous!
The Ganoderma fungus was awesome color!
Of course, the view from the underside was cool as well.
Indeed, the Turkeytail shelf fungi were glowing!
Further down the ravine, more of the Perorated Ruffle Lichen (Parmotrema perforatum)! I bet I have just been missing it all long. So just like when you buy that new car, you start to see that model everywhere. LOL The Post Oak branch was loaded with them. And so this concludes this outing.
Such beautiful fungi and lichens!! Wish we had more fungi here. I did find some inky caps today but past their prime. I will have to look for those perforated kind of lichens. The Graylag Geese are still hanging around. They cross the road to “go to church” then hang out along a dangerous highway then return. We think they wandered from the city park that is about a mile or two away. I call it their walkabout.
Everything is beautiful! You’ve got your lichen eyes on now
Such beautiful fungi and lichens!! Wish we had more fungi here. I did find some inky caps today but past their prime. I will have to look for those perforated kind of lichens. The Graylag Geese are still hanging around. They cross the road to “go to church” then hang out along a dangerous highway then return. We think they wandered from the city park that is about a mile or two away. I call it their walkabout.
That’s funny Kathy. Going to church. 😂
All those lichens and fungi are gorgeous. Nothing prettier. Glad youre into lichens etc. now.