Saturday, July 26, 2008

July Fungi ID Updated

I have updated some fungi identifications ( July Sightings 1, 2 and 3 - Parts 1 and 2) thanks to the kindness of Fungimap staff who visited this Blog on my request.

Thank you, Fungimap. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Cymbidium Time!

Cymbidiums may not be everyone's cup of tea - but they are mine! I have about 60 pots of varying sizes and flowering time is always exciting.

These cymbidiums are not hybrids. They are stock from an original collection my mother had when she was quite young. The flowers are smaller than those of the hybrid and more delicate. Natural, if you like.

I think, in some cases, a lot of the natural beauty of plants has been lost due to hybridisation, let alone taste, if I extend my argument to cover vegetables, as another example.

(Click to enlarge)


Cymbidiums are tough. Mine have put up with little or no water during the hotter months for many years. These orchids love to be cramped in their pot and crammed close together. They prefer an easterly - n/e aspect and tolerate frost. These are growing off the ground (important) on sleepers under a Blackwood and Olive tree.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

July Fungi No. 4

I took a little Sunday Drive! These two photos
were taken approximately 2.5km from my
property.

This one is interesting. Quite large, about 5cm
diameter and is partially veiled. About 9cm out
of the ground.

(Click images to enlarge)


Location: Partially cleared roadside
vegetation.


Location: Roadside vegetation -growing
from log.

Probably Mycena clarkeana.
________________________________

Bracket:



Diameter: 5.5cm



Location: Roadside vegetation




An Agaric, I suspect, on the way up!

I will return to check on progress!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

July Fungi 3 (Part 2)

More Boletes

(Click images to enlarge)


This one shows the brilliant sulphur yellow
colour and texture of the fleshy pores.



Location: On roadside in remnant vegetation
litter.
__________________________________

This orange fungi was intriguing and I haven't
a clue what it is!

My original photos were not up to standard, so
I took a second series the following day.



I can't detect any evidence of gills.



The stem was bulbous. I don't know
whether it's it's own species or an Agaric
or Chanterelle that's seen better days.

Location: Mossy environment along roadside.
Height: 2cm
Width: 1.5cm



UPDATE: (Thanks to Fungimap)
"Possibly a Hygrocybe with the gills eaten away"

Friday, July 11, 2008

July Fungi 3 (Part 1)


This was an interesting agaric growing close to
a Bolete on the side of the road.
Cap size: 4cm
Height: 3cm
Gills: White
Stem: White

UPDATE: (Thanks to Fungimap)
"looks like Amanita xanthocephala"



Location: Leaf litter under my Cymbidiums
Height: 9cm
Cap: 4cm
Gills: White
Slightly viscid. (In a dryish environment)
Probably Rooting Shank (Oudemansiella radicata)



Another Geastrum. This one was much
bigger than the others I've found.
Spore sac: 2.5cm
Height: 6cm
Found on the surface in mulch under Banks' Rose.
It's probably Geastrum pectinatum as it's located
in the same garden bed as other G. pectinatums.



UPDATE: (5/8/08)
Gymnopilus junonius showing bulbous stem and
remnant of membranous ring.
Cap width - 14cm


Location: Tree stump.
Probably Gymnopilus junonius.
(I'll take further notes as these mature!)

Thursday, July 10, 2008

July Fungi No. 2

Agarics:

(Click images to enlarge)



Location: Remnant vegetation.
Cap size: Approximately 2cm

UPDATE: (Thanks to Fungimap)
"looks like a Laccaria"






Location: My garden near Themeda triandra
Cap size: Approximately 2cm





Wednesday, July 9, 2008

July Fungi No. 1

Unidentified Bolete

(Click images to enlarge)


Location: Remnant vegetation.
Cap - hemispherical. Approximately 10cm diameter.
Pores creamish.
Possibly Fistulinella mollis
_________________________________

Puffballs:


Caps approx, 1cm diameter.
Stalked. Approx 2cm length.
Location: Bluestone pathway.
Spore colour: Cinnamon brown.
Possibly Tulostoma sp.

Growing in pasture.
Photo taken after 46mm rain.
Probably Vascellum pratense.
UPDATE: (Thanks to Fungimap)
" 'possibly' Vascellum pratense as opposed to 'probably'. "












Sunday, July 6, 2008

Typhaceae

Or Cumbungi as it's commonly known.

Cumbungi has had a bad reputation over the years as a clogger of waterways amongst other things. However, I think Cumbungi is losing its reputation as an ogre as studies into its water purification capabilities are better understood, particularly industrial water polluters, such as mining sites, dairy and poultry farms. Other benefits are habitats it provides for waterfowl, frogs and insects.

Cumbungi is still considered a weed in both Tasmania and New South Wales, I believe.

I have this plant in a controlled environment - a pond. I actually stole my plant from someone else's dam! :-) This dam had the clearest water I've seen in a dam around here and the plants were behaving themselves down at one end!

The flower spikes always impress me.

(Click to enlarge)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Bushy Yate

Eucalyptus lehmannii

Gouldiae has a photo of this tree on his Blog.

E. lehmannii is native to Western Australia. My specimen is in full flower now. It's pretty tough, growing in a stand of Pinus radiata.



Flower and buds.



The seed capsules resemble a mace or club. These are rock solid!