Tree and fungal ID

[Paul Barton]

Evenin' all,

 

Had a look at some nice trees today - came across one evergreen broadleaf that confused me. Having looked it up I have an idea what it is. Can you tell?

 

Also saw this nice little fruiting body in between buttresses at the base of a beech. Would you agree on Ustulina deusta? Most Ustulina I have seen was more flat and crusty - this was more spherical and almost looked like Daldinia but it's location makes me suspect Ustuloina. It also had 2 very large and about 5 small G. applanatum brackets on the other side of the base. Made some pretty interesting sounds with the mallet!

[John Shutler]

prunus lusitanica

 

portugese laurel

[David Humphries]

Paul, not sure it is Kretzschmaria (Ustulina)

Did you break a bit off to see if it had the tell tale consentric rings like Daldinia?

 

Here's a Daldinia (although on Ash)

Looks similar to yours, albeit different colour.

 

You probably realise, but Daldinia does actualy host on Beech.

 

 

Not sure on the Tree Id though

 

 

 

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[Amelanchier]

I agree with John on the Portugal Laurel.

 

I reckon your fungi is a baby Ganoderma. It looks to have a tiered annual sporophore. Also - you say there are other fruiting bodies on the other side? This could be the same infection...

[Paul Barton]

Thanks guys - makes sense about your idea on the fungi Tony. Here is a pic of the other side of the tree - the black fruit in question is round to the right of the base as seen from this angle.

 

You can just make out another large FB at the very base of the tree partially covered in snow below the other large one.

 

Well, I feel a bit silly because I now think you are right about the laurel I thought it was something a bit more exotic like Michelia doltsopa but it ain't.

[Amelanchier]

Well, I feel a bit silly because I now think you are right about the laurel I thought it was something a bit more exotic like Michelia doltsopa but it ain't.

 

Ha ha. Don't sweat it, a few years ago I found some old Inonotus hispidus brackets once which I convinced myself were of the extremely rare Piptoporus quercinus. They weren't, and I looked like a right muppet when I sent the images to a Mycologist!!

 

Lesson learnt - Occams razor!!

[David Humphries]

 

Lesson learnt - Occams razor!!

 

 

 

Why did a Rozar smaccO you Tony ?

 

You been a naughty Boy then

 

 

 

Good call on the Gano. btw

 

 

 

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Edited February 9, 2009 by Monkey-D

[Amelanchier]

William of Occam, a officer of the local constabulary deemed my blinkered indulgence warranted the application of truncheon to mandible, and thus it was so.