Fungi and Slime Molds

When we go out with the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society (CVMS), we are looking for all mushrooms and fungi, not just the edible mushrooms. Often several slime molds are collected and identified as well as some unusual small mushrooms, some weird cup-like fungi, and some specimens that are unknown. The season is still a bit early for terrestrial (ground growing) mushrooms, most are growing on decayed wood or leaf matter, including mulch and wood chips. There are also very few edibles available yet, as we did not manage to find any morels this season. Robert is still kept busy photographing the fascinating and often tiny specimens that are found, and they make lovely compositions.

Gymnopus subnudus, previously known as Collybia subnuda,
about 2-4 cm tall on rotten wood

Unknown ascomycota, cup fungi about 2-3 mm wide

Abundant rain for the past two weeks has brought out several slime molds, which are not fungi, but often found along with fungi. Most of the slime molds are best viewed under magnification, where the amazing features like hairs, spores, and tiny structures are suddenly visible.

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa, slime mold, tendrils about 5 mm long, on rotten wood

Lycogala epidendrum, Wolf's milk slime mold, each sphere about 4-7 mm wide, on rotten wood