Red Belt Fungus
Fomitopsis pinicola
Well what do you know, I found and identified a perennial fungus. I didn’t realize that fungus could be perennial. But then I don’t know squat about mushrooms and fungi although just looking at some of the Pore and Shelf Fungi should have clued me in. For example looking at this specimen you can see the ‘growth rings’ from previous years. The red belt is this years growth which will later turn dull brown as growth resumes next year.
The Red Belt Fungus usually grows on dead coniferous trees but it can also be found on deciduous and even live trees. They can be found from Alaska to Mexico but are more common in the north. I saw no mention of them being poisonous but they are listed as being inedible since they’re so woody.
There’s something about the photo that reminds me of something else. I’ve attempted a couple of approaches to dig out what’s on my mind but I’ve only managed to get ear wax and boogers so far. I want to say it looks like a snail but that doesn’t sound quite right and still leaves me trying to think what I’m reminded of.
Anyhoo while out and about I came upon another scene that looked odd. Walking through a brushy area I spotted a hovering object.
It was a very gray day which made that apple stand out all the more for being the only thing in sight with any color. It was the only apple left. All the others had dropped to the ground and were eaten by the deer. I walked by without disturbing it. It made me happy knowing that it must be driving the deer nuts being just out of their reach.
One last photo of another surprise. I spied a fluttering in the air and found a moth. The reason I was surprised was the fact that during the previous few nights the temperatures had dropped down to 10 F. and the days didn’t warm up to much more than freezing.
Photos taken on Nov 24, 2008
Images are linked to a larger size (1024 x 768) for a closer view or to use as desktop wallpaper.
5 Responses
Leave a Comment
Comment Feed
You might want to see my response to the stuff people throw in the box
Subscribe in a reader
November 25th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Dear Mr. WiseA**
Happy Turkey Day to you and yours !
That fungus was exceptional and what a great picture .. I get what you are trying to relate to that picture .. i first thought of a clam on the upper part .. then some sort of slug on the lower .. but we all know it is an ALIEN … right ?
The apple .. now that is also extraordinary .. that tiny hit of colour in all of that gray with the trees .. beautiful.
The moth .. well .. my Freudian aversion to moths .. better left unsaid.
Wonderful pictures .. you have some gorgeous places to talk walks and pictures !
November 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I believe I read somewhere that when very young, the fungus has a texture and tastes much like chicken! I guess one could sautee it in a wee bit of extra virgin olive oil and serve over a bed of pasta, sprinkled with a bit of chopped green moss. However, I don’t think I’ll ever be giving it a try. We find lots of them around here, especially on dead birch trunks.
November 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Hi.
Superb photograpy. I’ve downloaded the moth photograph to keep as my desktop background.
Thank you.
p.s. I’m glad we don’t have hornet’s in Belfast.
March 18th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
[...] image linked to a larger size – 1024 x 768 from the post on Nov 25, 2008 – Red Belt Fungus [...]
June 27th, 2012 at 3:20 am
the red belt mushroom is a form of reishi mushroom and ids good in soups best with meat stcks then veg but veg will work also i belive