Shaped like a miniature, dull version of the tropical Asian Rafflesia, we always enjoy finding earthstars in the summer woodland garden. Geastrum saccatum, or rounded earthstar, grows on decomposing organic debris, spending most of its life underground. The fruiting structures below, only appear above ground in our region from July thru September. The eye-like structures
Nature has so many cool things to observe, if we just take time to do so. On a recent trek through the nursery, I was taken by these photogenic chalices of Bird’s Nest Fungus. This natural work of art grows on mulch and compost, and has no detrimental effect on plants or animals. In reality,
Greeting me on a recent foggy winter morning garden walk was a specimen of the fascinating Clathus columnatus, better known as column stinkhorn. It lives on dead and decaying organic matter, so is often seen growing in mulched areas. In the US, it’s typically seen East of the Mississippi, but many mycologists theorize it was
I was stopped in my tracks recently by a patch of giant parasol mushrooms that showed up in the garden. While these aren’t unusual, these 10″ wide specimens are double the size that we typically see here.
Super-size Parasols Read More »
We love fall not just because of the weather, the colorful foliage, the fall bloomers, but also for the fall fungus. It seems like some of the most incredible fungus of the year happens in fall. When we go outside to take plant photos, it’s hard to resist the amazing fungi as well. Like sand
