Notes: I have an unidentified fungi.(Australian) The specimen was photographed on a live tree trunk between the trunk and breakaway bark. They (the fungi),were situated on the southern side (shaded) of the trunk about 5 feet above ground. They were in a group in various stages of growth. There were also some sacs of translucent liquid either on or between the fungi. There was no spore reading taken, no obvious aroma and the specimens were not disturbed.
The colour is accurate and photo was taken in natural light. The position of the fungi was between two tree trunks and therefore created a problem in photographing them on the correct plane. The photo’s were taken after torrential rain lasting a week. (10inches + )
One image although unsharp depicts the glutonous sac . The other image is sharp and unaltered.
This is the first time I have used this site and was referred by Clive Shirley, (Hidden Forest Fungi) N.Z. I have sent emails to several mycologists and Fungi sites without success. If you can help ID or provide an alternative referral address I would be most appreciative. I have an alternate email address, iedodd@bigpond.com. Many Thanks, (KK)
Created: 2008-05-16 04:53:00
By: Ian Dodd Kundabung NSW Australia (kundabungkid)
Summary: Email contents to Katrina "Fungimap to Fungi Australia. (contains extra details)
Dear Katrina,
I have been given your contact information arising from my attempts to have an Australian (Mid North East Coast) Fungi Identified. (Dorothy Beebee (dbeebee@sonic.net))
It has been an exhausting experience to say the least. I have and still do, talk with several Mycologists, who are always very willing to be of help.
Unfortunately they do not reside in Australia. This does create a problem sometimes with native fungi that I photograph, and require identification..
I find that it is very difficult to get much help within our own country, except from fellow photographers, and semi professional people interested in identifying fungi, and a couple of Forestry Rangers with whom I have made friendships.
I have spoken by email with Clive Shirley on quite a few occasions, with a great deal of success, and also exchanged shots of interesting species. I also have his Hidden Forest Fungi booklet. He has been unable to help in this instance.
I have also been in touch with David Ellis, who wont be available till Monday the 19th.
Brian Perry and Professor Dennis Desjarden, (SanFrancisco University) have been able to identify species for me in the past, but I am still waiting for them to get back to me on this one.
This last Fungi I have had trouble identifying remains unidentified to this moment. ( I have visited every site imaginable and spent hours searching through thousands of images.)
When I first photographed it, I did not realise that it was going to be so hard to put a name to it. I did not disturb the fungi, although I did try to see if there was any distinctive aroma. I also took the photo in natural light.
Some of the fungi photographed did have small globules of some translucent liquid attached to them, and the red caps did appear to be moist and shiny in appearance. I did not try to see if the liquid was sticky.
The fungi were growing on the sheltered side of the tree, and there was a good range of varying growth in the observed fungi group. We had just received over 10inches of rain.
All had the same colour characteristics, although there were only two that I would describe as what I thought were full grown. (see images.)
After receiving several references from members of the Mushroom observers, who I do appreciate their efforts, I cannot get an identification that I agree with.
. ...........
In desperation I returned to the site, (a full days trip), and re-photographed the specimen. ( I really didn’t expect to see anything remaining)
I then removed one from its habitat, (between broken bark and tree trunk,) and split it in two halves (top to bottom.) I also, after checking it out for colour and any other noticeable effects, rubbed it between my fingers to see if there was any smell. There was some colour change inside the main body, slightly pinkish but nothing contrasty. (Mainly grey.)
The results were pretty bland. The fungi had lost its original red cap\ white body, and taken on a brownish appearance, and the texture of the cap and stem felt dried out and was in my opinion the case.
The two remaining fungi that I described as being the largest were the only ones remaining when I returned. All the others had disappeared surprisingly!
The moisture content of the tree and its bark had changed considerably from the time of my first observation and photograph. ( Very much dryer)
The fungi were located at about head height, (5ft) {I’m a shorty}.
There was approximately three weeks between the first photo and the last today. 27/04/08 & 15/05/08
When I presented the first photo I did not give the fungi measurements. I will attach the original of two taken in the first instance, and then again today. Because of the position of the fungi, (between two trees,) the distance between lens plane and image are very very similar.
Katria,
I normally shoot macro at 1:1 ratio. I have determined image size and distance from the lens, to be the same in all shots ,with resolution being the same overall in each image. This should provide a reasonable comparison in the loss of size in the second set (last lot _DSD1554/1555) of images.
From what has already been discussed, the impression I get is that the specimens are of a woody group. The Identification from the Mushroom observers points to this, but I do not agree with their naming. (Tricholomopsis rutilans) I have compared all the site images and nothing matches. The cap of the fungi is still intact as a ball and this definitely doesn’t match Tricholomopsis rutilans.
The fungi I believe has lost at least about a third of its original size, (probably due to dehydration). The fact that it is still similar in shape rather makes me feel inclined to the WOODY description, but this is where the identification then is open to debate I hope I haven’t bored you with the details of the description, but would really like to have the Fungi identified, and if this is not possible with you, maybe you could fwd my information on to someone you think can help me out of my misery.
I have kept one specimen in a sealed bag, in the fridge, and will only be too happy to make it available for identification if the need be.
Many Thanks & Appreciation,
Ian Dodd (KK) iedodd@bigpond.com
kundabungkid@kundabung.com.au
