Environmental Study of my backyard

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Cedars

I thought you had gotten sick of doing IDs for me

Never!

Whoo Hoo!

The dwarf Milkweed is a threatened plant in Wisconsin. I love it when I capture one of the listed things!

Thanks Again!

Yes, it's always nice to find a rare species. Did you notify anyone?

[freeztar]

Here's a neat mushroom I found today, just 10 minutes ago.
At first I thought it was an Oyster Mushroom (might still be), but it looks quite different from others I've seen in the wild. It also does not appear to have gills, but I did not dig it up to check near ground level. Anyone know this one?

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Anyone know this one?

She's a beaut. To your question, no, but I must say that I do love your choice of object to illustrate scale.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Here's a neat mushroom I found today, just 10 minutes ago.
At first I thought it was an Oyster Mushroom (might still be), but it looks quite different from others I've seen in the wild. It also does not appear to have gills, but I did not dig it up to check near ground level. Anyone know this one?

It appears you have a Sparassis crispa, more commonanly known as a Cauliflower mushroom. It looks great.

Botany Photo of the Day: Sparassis crispa
California Fungi: Sparassis crispa

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Never!
Yes, it's always nice to find a rare species. Did you notify anyone?

Crex Meadows is a known spot for this plant. While I wouldnt say they are all over the place, yesterday I found several more growing in different areas.

I was hunting for the ever elusive Karners Blue that is established in the meadows. I didnt find any but I chased around several Blues and Hairstreaks in the hopes that the flittering blue would turn out to be a rarity.

Maybe next year I will score the big one.

The three shots are of the same butterfly. Not enough for a positive ID other than one of the Blues.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Monomer

It appears you have a Sparassis crispa, more commonanly known as a Cauliflower mushroom. It looks great.

Botany Photo of the Day: Sparassis crispa
California Fungi: Sparassis crispa

Nice!

I looked up the species and I think the one I photographed is actually S. spathulata. None of the pictures I could find looked exactly like my find, but I got the tip about spathulata from this link, which btw, is an excellent guide on mushrooms of the US, particullarly the NW. It's great to see it available for free.

And then...the plot thickens...
All of the links I followed mentioned that these mushrooms are parasitic on the roots of pine and oak. Interestingly, my find lies directly adjacent to an American Holly, with no other trees around for 10m in every direction.
Hmmmm....

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by freeztar

And then...the plot thickens...
All of the links I followed mentioned that these mushrooms are parasitic on the roots of pine and oak. Interestingly, my find lies directly adjacent to an American Holly, with no other trees around for 10m in every direction.
Hmmmm....

They're adapting! They've had enough of pines and oaks and are seeking different company.

[freeztar]

I volunteered for The Nature Conservancy this past weekend and we went to a site in the mountains of north Georgia where the only known population of green pitcher plants, in Georgia, reside. We cleared away young trees that were shading the pitcher plants to allow them to survive on the 1 acre plot. Early next year they will do a prescribed burn to clear the remaining contenders. Apparently the pitcher plants love the fire and flower prolifically after a burn. I snapped a few photos. You can tell the drought has had an impact by the dry/dead tips.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Monomer

They're adapting! They've had enough of pines and oaks and are seeking different company.

Variety IS the spice of life.

[palmtreepathos]

Nice 'shroom freezy! This hot 100% humid weather had sprouted my yard, too. Last week there were about 50 mushrooms in a 10 x 20 ft area out my front door, many more under the oaks beyond that, some gilled but boletes mostly, red and yelow, browns and whites. I need a nice cheap digital camera so I can get things posted.

Can you id. the thorny climber that is in the right side of your picture? It is a real problem in my yard, and so thorny, it could be part of a good security system, that and thistles, or worse!! prickly pears.....