Image Gallery No. 1
Gallery No. 1 comprises photos of forest fungi taken by Joseph O'Brien, a plant pathologist with the Forest Health Protection unit.
Click on the thumbnail photo for a larger image (all are jpegs; most are 1024 pixels in the long direction, suitable for desktop display).
Pholiota spp.
(138k)
Pholiota is an aggressive saprophyte that can degrade wood very quickly.
Armillaria spp.
(109k)
Armillaria spp. are very common root-rotting fungi in northern forests. We have several species in the Lake States that are difficult to separate.
Laetiporus sulphureus
(108k)
This is an unusual appearance for L. sulphureus. It usually has a shelf-like appearance, but this was found bubbling up out of the stump of a removed oak tree.
Phyllotopsis nidulans
(97k)
This is a common fungus found on dead wood. This photo was taken with a macro lens--the actual specimen is about 1" across.
Amanita muscaria
(103k)
Amanita muscaria has several different color forms. This baby Amanita was found under some hemlock trees--the hemlock cones, each about .5" long, are seen in the photo.
Lycoperdon pyriforme
(109k)
L. pyriforme is a ubiquitous puffball that grows on dead wood. These are fairly old, but well-preserved. When rain hits the fruiting structures, spores are released in a cloud.
Lycoperdon pyriforme
(105k)
These are also L. pyriforme before they start to dry and turn brown. At this stage, they are not yet releasing spores. They are pure white inside when young, but darken with age.
Lycoperdon pyriforme
(99k)
Another photo of the same group of L. pyriforme, from the other side.
Lycoperdon pyriforme
(74k)
Yet another photo of L. pyriforme. These pillow-shaped specimens are just beginning to darken. The enire central body eventually dries and produces millions of spores.
