Gyromitra esculenta, one of several species of fungi known as false
morels, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely
distributed across Europe and North America. It normally sprouts in
sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The
fruiting body, or mushroom, is an irregular brain-shaped cap dark brown
in colour which can reach 10 cm high and 15 cm wide, perched on a stout
white stipe up to 6 cm (2.4 in) high. Although potentially fatal if
eaten raw, Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia,
Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America.
Although popular in some districts of the eastern Pyrenees, it is
prohibited from sale to the public in Spain. It may be sold fresh in
Finland, but it must be accompanied by warnings and instructions on
correct preparation. It is eaten in omelettes, soups, or sautéed in
Finnish cuisine. Although it is still commonly parboiled before
preparation, recent evidence suggests that even this procedure may not
make the fungus entirely safe, thus raising concerns of risk even when
prepared properly.
(Link)
The Bleeding Tooth fungus (Hydnellum pecki)
Allow me to introduce to you one of the more unusual members of Kingdom
Fungi, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, or Hydnellum peckii which goes by
various names often referring to juice or blood. This fungus can be
found in North America where it is more common in the Pacific Northwest
and resides mostly in coniferous forests. The Bleeding Tooth also makes
appearances in Europe and has recently been discovered in both Iran and
Korea. Upon a first glimpse of the bleeding tooth fungus, one may
dismiss the ruby-red liquid as the blood of some poor forest creature
splattered across the white mushroom cap. When inspected more closely,
it becomes obvious that the fungus is oozing liquid through its own
small pores.
(Link)
The Giant puffball (Calvatia Gigantea)
The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, is easily recognized by its size
and shape. Typical specimens are about the size of a soccer ball, and
more or less round. However, it can be much larger (a 5-foot, 50-pound
specimen is on record!), and its shape can be more "blob-ish" than
round, especially when it attains enormous sizes. But it is never shaped
like an inverted pear, since it lacks the sterile base portion common
to many other puffballs.
(Link)
The Devil's Cigar (Chorioactis) – world's rarest fungi
A star-shaped mushroom, called the Devil's Cigar (Chorioactis geaster)
is one of the world's rarest fungi. It's also known as the Texas star.
These fungi had been detected only in central Texas, two remote
locations in Japan, and most recently in the mountains of Nara. The
Devil's Cigar is a dark brown cigar-shaped capsule that transforms into a
tan-coloured star when it splits open to release its spores. It is also
one of only a few known fungi that produce a distinct whistle sound
when releasing its spores.
(Link)
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Trametes versicolor, often called the "turkey tail," has the dubious
distinction of being the only member of the forest fungal fowl community
not named for the full bird, but a feathery fraction. However, the
chicken of the woods and the hen of the woods look nothing at all like
chickens or hens, while the turkey tail does look (vaguely) like a
turkey's tail. Who started this clucking menagerie of mushroom monikers,
anyway?
(Link | Photo)
Sky Blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri)
Entoloma hochstetteri is a species of mushroom found in New Zealand and
India. The small mushroom is a distinctive all-blue colour, while the
gills have a slight reddish tint from the spores. The blue colouring of
the fruit body is due to three azulene pigments. Entoloma hochstetteri
is not edible, but whether or not it is poisonous is unknown. This
species was one of six native fungi featured in a set of fungal stamps
issued in New Zealand in 2002. It is also seen on the reverse side of
the $50 bank note, issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in 1990.
(Link | Photo)
Bearded Tooth mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
This mushroom that looks like noodles or pom-pom are known to a variety
of name like Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bearded Tooth Mushroom, Hedgehog
Mushroom, Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom, or Bearded Tooth Fungus. It is an
edible mushroom in the tooth fungus group. In the wild, these mushrooms
are common during late summer and fall on dead hardwoods, particularly
American Beech.
(Link)
Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus)
Mutinus caninus, commonly known as the Dog Stinkhorn, is a small thin,
phallus-shaped woodland fungus, with a dark tip. It is often found
growing in small groups on wood debris, or in leaf litter, during summer
and autumn in Europe and eastern North America. It is not generally
considered edible, although there are reports of the immature 'eggs'
being consumed.
(Link)
Bioluminescent fungi (Mycena chlorophos)
No, you're not hallucinating; you really are seeing bright green
mushrooms, but if you are partial to the odd magic mushie, these images
won't faze you in the slightest. These neon green mushrooms, or Mycena
chlorophos, to use the technical term, emerge during the rainy season in
Japanese and Brazilian forests, scattering the floor with glowing
spores. The bases of tree trunks, fallen branches, leaf litter and moist
soil provide perfect breeding grounds for the mushrooms. Found mostly
on Mesameyama island in Ugui, Japan and Ribeira Valley Tourist State
Park, Brazil, the appearance of these garish looking fungi is due to
bioluminescence, one of the weird but wonderful reactions that happen
naturally in many plants and animals.
(Link)
Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria) – world's most famous mushroom
Also known as the fly Agaric or the fly Amanita, the Amanita muscaria is
a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungi, which is one of many
in the genus Amanita. There are several subspecies, and each of them has
a different cap color. These include the yellow-range flavivolata
guessowii, formosa, the pink persicina, and the brown regalis (although
it is now considered a separate species).
Fly Agaric's are one of
the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. They
have been featured in children's books, films, garden ornaments,
greeting cards, and computer games. This toadstool is associated with
the famous book turned movie, Alice in Wonderland; the mushroom in Super
Mario Bros., and more. It is also known as the mushroom of flies from
due to Albertus Magnus' work in De vegetabilibus where he stated, “It is
called the mushroom of flies, because crushed in milk it kills flies”.
(Link)
The Brain mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta)
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