A Short but Eventful Fungi Friday Hunt: Unexpected Finds and New Adventures

I only had a little time for fungi hunting this evening before darkness set in. I hurried to a nearby woodland, hoping to see something new. Although it's private land, the public is welcome to walk around.

As I entered, I spotted a moss-covered log teeming with mushrooms.

Their fuzzy surface displayed beautiful bands of orange, yellow, and brown—possibly Stereum hirsutum, the hairy curtain crust mushroom.

These saprotrophic fungi play a vital role in decomposition, breaking down wood, but they aren’t edible.

A bit further along, I came across a fascinating tree with two trunks growing over a stream.

Despite it's roots being twisted and drooping from the watery soil, it stood strong, covered in vibrant mint-green fairy puke lichen.

I even stopped to take a little pose there. As I was doing so, a forestry consultant (woodland owner) and a lovely lady who originally planted most of the woodland trees passed by and opened up a conversation about mushrooms, lichens, and nature. They shared their plans for the woodland and invited me to their quaint woodland hall, where they hold educational training. They kindly asked if I could give a small talk in the summer about wild edibles, mushrooms, and nature crafting for the community—an offer I gladly accepted! I love sharing knowledge and learning from others.

As a lovely bonus, they generously offered me honey from their bees whenever I’d like and even gave me a jar of honey harvested last summer to take home.

After lots of show and tell, it was getting dark, so I started my walk home.

On the way, I spotted a branch with something growing at its tip.

It snapped as I tried to pick it up, releasing a strong mushroom mild sweet smell. I was intrigued, so I brought it home to see what was inside.

This mushroom looks like the Antrodiella serpula.

There is also lichen growing on the bark.

Once home, I cut open the bark—and to my excitement, there was soft, delicate mycelium growing inside! No wonder it smelt like a mushroom when it was snapped.

That was my simple Fungi Friday hunt.

You never really know what surprises await just around the corner—if you take the time to look! 🍄

My share to @fungifriday by @ewkaw and to all fungi friends.

Have a nice day,
Mariah 😊🍄