Fungi
There is a dizzying array of fungus species growing in the Santa Cruz Mountain. The posts below highlight a few of our finds over the years.
Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Our Mushroom Monday posts have been scant for the last year, and with good reason. In the midst of a drought, with no rain forecast through at least the end of the first week of January, 2013 has now been officially ruled as the driest year on record in the San...
The Mock Oyster Mushroom (Phyllotopsis nidulans)
For Mushroom Monday this week we have a beautiful little oyster mushroom. Unfortunately though, this is not the oyster mushroom typically found growing on oaks here, that is prized by foragers. This is the 'mock oyster' (Phyllotopsis nidulans). I was excited at...
The Death Cap: Amanita phalloides
It's no secret that Curbstone Valley is home to a host of species of fungi from fall through spring, and fall means it's the start of the season. Amanita season that is. The welfare of all the animals on the farm is our top priority, including our pets, and while...
Boletus truncatus
It seems early in the season to have such an explosion of fungi growing on the property this year. The rains started early in October, and the soils have never completely dried out. This has fostered the growth of an assortment of species of fungi that makes it look...
The Blood-Foot Mushroom (Mycena haematopus)
While the gardens appreciate the return of our rainy season, the rains during the fall and winter months also encourage the return of a myriad of species of fungi to our woodlands. With the rains returning early this season, we're already finding a wide variety of...
Amanita muscaria sp.
I'm excited to have found my first Amanita on the property, but frustrated with my own inexperience with this genus. It's made it a challenge to narrow down a more specific identification of this fungus in time for Mushroom Monday. However, it's been a reminder that...
Clavulinopsis laeticolor
Most of January has been dry. The rain total this month is just under 3 inches, but almost all of this month's precipitation fell during two brief storms, and it's a far cry from the 8 inches that fell last January. With the exception of yesterday's storm, for most...
Lactarius xanthogalactus
It's been interesting to note some different species of fungi growing on the property this winter, compared to last year. We haven't seen a single Redwood Rooter or Elfin Saddle yet this year, but instead, we seem to have a number of Lactarius species that we didn't...
Fungus Fair Fun
This weekend the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz sponsored the 37th annual Fungus Fair. We missed the Fair last year, not realizing there actually was one in Santa Cruz. However, we were determined to attend this year! We didn't really start to appreciate the...
Crucibulum laeve
The fall and winter rains have pushed our planting plans off schedule in recent weeks, but with the rain...we have the return of 'Mushroom Mondays'! Last winter I looked high and low for any evidence of this fungus, but by the time I finally found one, the dry...
Xylaria hypoxylon
Xylaria hypoxylon is a small club-like fungus found scattered or gregariously clustered on rotting wood. Commonly known as the Candle-snuff or Stag's Horn fungus, Xylaria hypoxylon is found throughout North America and Europe, and may be encountered year round in...
Coprinopsis lagopus
When I first encountered Coprinopsis lagopus, an Inky Cap mushroom, growing here, I wasn't actually sure it was a mushroom at all. This is one of the most fragile appearing species of fungus, of any, I've seen this winter. In the past week numerous specimens of this...