A fungus among us... - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 M.Zuiko Digital ED

07/01/2004 08:45:34 PM · #1

...So I was outside, about to take pics of the kids, and I noticed that at the base of the largest tree on our property HUNDREDS of these tiny little mushrooms. None of them any bigger than an inch or inch and a half high. On one side of the tree, there were dozens of teeny tiny little buds about to grow, none any bigger than a pencil eraser. I know it's been raining A LOT here lately, and the backyard kind of pools up with water during flash flood situations, but drains promptly. Anyone know what these are and if they are going to kill our tree or something? Are they dangerous to my kids and dog? Any help is appreciated. Thanks! :o)

Fungus Pictures

jonr

Olympus OM-D E-M5

07/01/2004 08:48:49 PM · #2

Looks yummy. :)
/knows nothing of fungi

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/01/2004 08:49:26 PM · #3

Wow great shots. The depth of field is awesome. The black background of the site really adds to the shots. That's some prints material.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/01/2004 08:50:31 PM · #4

Originally posted by faidoi:

Wow great shots. The depth of field is awesome. The black background of the site really adds to the shots. That's some prints material.

Really? Fungus? Thanks; I do appreciate that...but would someone want to hang fungi on their walls? ;o)

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

07/01/2004 08:50:37 PM · #5

Originally posted by faidoi:

Wow great shots. The depth of field is awesome. The black background of the site really adds to the shots. That's some prints material.

That's what I thought, too.

Well, maybe not my walls. Somebody would hang it, though! You know, a nature type.

Message edited by author 2004-07-01 20:52:49.

boomer

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

07/01/2004 09:02:17 PM · #6

Those aren't fungus. They're aliens, from the planet Saturn, who are very angry about the probe NASA is sending there right now. Run, don't walk, Laurie. You've been warned!

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Canon

07/01/2004 09:08:49 PM · #7

Originally posted by boomer:

Those aren't fungus. They're aliens, from the planet Saturn, who are very angry about the probe NASA is sending there right now. Run, don't walk, Laurie. You've been warned!

That would most certainly be my luck... LOL ;o)

wimbello

Canon EOS-10D

07/01/2004 09:09:07 PM · #8

They're not dangerous as far as I know. But soon enough they will rot and turn to moosh. Most likely when it next rains alot, which, as you say, may be tomorrow. Or now.

Make sure your dog doesn't roll in it and lie in the sun. Smelly.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/01/2004 09:10:54 PM · #9

Originally posted by jonr:

Looks yummy. :)
/knows nothing of fungi

I do, and I know that you don't eat ANY wild fungus which has not been 100% positively identified by someone who knows ... usually a college or museum or park will have someone who can identify them ... in many cities (e.g. San Francisco) there are Mycological Societies dedicated to the study (and collecting) of mushrooms. Mushrooms Demystified ... by David Arora is considered one of the best introductions to the field ... (not sure if the link to Amazon will work for everyone; if not, search on his last name).

Mushrooms make excellent photo subjects. My son Isaac took this one almost three years ago. I have some others in the same gallery.

Message edited by author 2004-07-01 21:12:23.

07/01/2004 09:15:29 PM · #10

Thanks for the info...I think I might just dig them up to avoid any smelly mishaps with the dog or the kids...and just in case either/or decide to eat them. I've warned the kids extensively, but I think I'll dig them up all the same...no sense tempting fate. They just look so bizarre! ;o)

autool

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

07/01/2004 09:16:42 PM · #11

I think they all turn purple on July 5th.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/01/2004 09:31:23 PM · #12

Originally posted by autool:

I think they all turn purple on July 5th.

If true, that would likely make them members of the genus Coprinus ...

If you're going to pick them, you might want to make spore prints. Put a cut-off cap on a piece of dark paper and put a cup over it overnight (to prevent air movement). Then lift it carefully straight off the paper and you may have the spores which have dropped off in the pattern of the gills.

Jacko

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/01/2004 09:37:53 PM · #13

I'd take the necessary precautions ... dry them in the sun then roll 'em and light 'em up. Invite a few friends.

dcano

Nikon D100

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D

07/01/2004 09:38:04 PM · #14

Paul definately knows what he is talking about. Mushrooms that grow on trees are alwasy concerning. They a greater potential to be of the poisonous variety. Even a seasond mycologist may have difficulty with a positive ID without knowing some detains about the mushrooms anatomy. I would dig them up and dispose of them before any pets or children become interested. Trust me I have seen too many mushroom ingestions go south, so to speak...

07/01/2004 10:21:04 PM · #15

Originally posted by Jacko:

I'd take the necessary precautions ... dry them in the sun then roll 'em and light 'em up. Invite a few friends.

LOL! :o)

edit: Thanks, dcano...I will dig them up in the morning. I don't want anyone getting sick around here! :o)

Message edited by author 2004-07-01 22:21:56.

JEM

Sony DSC-F707

07/01/2004 10:54:26 PM · #16

Jacko - these are not NB fungi -- NO SMOKE - Saute in fine olive oil with eschalottes, fresh eggs with a bit of salt and fresh ground pepper for a wonderful omlette!! If the fungi are poison...well, we all have to go sometime.

Jacko

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/01/2004 10:56:56 PM · #17

Tell you what John. We'll smoke the shrooms, then when we get the munchies we'll make an omelette.

Originally posted by JEM:

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/01/2004 11:08:14 PM · #18

Originally posted by JEM:

Yes, but fulminant liver failure is one of the less pleasant ways ...

Pioneer

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG HSM for Canon EOS

07/01/2004 11:16:22 PM · #19

My friend and his wife were away on a hiking trip for a week and came across this fungus. He took a ton of shots because he had never seen one like it before. When he got back home he checked with everyone and nobody could tell him what type it was. He eventually sent the photo and area found to several universities and one finally sent him back some info. I don't have it now, but they told him it was very poisonous, and the red syrup like gel should not be touched either. They said the prettier they are the more dangerous they usually are, (probably just like a woman LOL ) Just thought I would show it since it is a favorite of mine, and you were talking about fungus

JEM

Sony DSC-F707

07/01/2004 11:17:21 PM · #20

NO SMOKE -- munch a bit of peyote and then recline while communing with the Moon Goddess. White people not understand - want to set fire to Mother Earth's gifts.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/01/2004 11:33:36 PM · #21

Originally posted by Pioneer:

That is just disgusting...but at the same time...amazingly beautiful! How bizarre can it get? LOL ;o)

whiteroom

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/01/2004 11:36:02 PM · #22

tooo late for the extraordinary challenge......

lets have a 'fungus' challenge. lol

very lekker picture

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/02/2004 12:30:16 AM · #23

Originally posted by JEM:

NO SMOKE -- munch a bit of peyote and then recline while communing with the Moon Goddess. White people not understand - want to set fire to Mother Earth's gifts.

... munch a bit of peyote ... vomit ... and then recline while communing with the Moon Goddess.

Peyote is from a cactus, not fungus. I think people are thinking of psilocybin mushrooms:

A hallucinogenic compound, C12-H17-N2-O4-P, obtained from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana. (consider those subscript numbers)

Don't think it looks like those though ... typically grows on cow dung.

gajmaj

07/02/2004 12:38:29 AM · #24

That's not fungus - THIS is fungus :)

suemack