Sep. 11th, 2015

urbpan: (dandelion)
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The average mushroom emerges from its substrate, releases spores for a few days maybe two weeks, then withers or rots away. Ganoderma applanatum* emerges, releases spores for a while, goes dormant for a year, then grows another layer of spore producing cells over last year's. It can do this more many years, building up in thickness and diameter to huge size. Left unmolested it can look like half a trash can lid sticking out from a tree.

Fresh-spore producing flesh is white, often surrounded by a cinnamon-like dusting of its brown spores. Some craftspeople etch drawings into the mushroom at this stage--sometimes the mushroom is called "artist's conk." The fungus that produces this mushroom is found across the continent and can grow from almost any type of wood.

*Flattened, shining skin
urbpan: (dandelion)
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I like to joke that this animal's natural habitat is the window screen. The mundane truth is that they get themselves inside through small cracks to hide from the cold, then try to exit through the bright light of a solid window or screen. This creature's actual natural habitat is the conifer forests of western North America--so what the hell is it doing in Boston?

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For whatever reason, the western conifer seed bug Leptoglossis occidentalis* spent the 20th century drifting across to the east coast. For at least ten or fifteen years I've been telling people about it. It catches people's attention because it suddenly appears inside, or they see it flying around in a dismayingly wasplike manner, or they notice that it produces a defensive odor. I personally like the odor, finding it close to sour apple smell--it actually contains compounds that are synthesized by the food industry for flavorings. In all other ways the WCSB is utterly harmless, not biting nor causing agricultural damage. A relative newcomer that still sometimes surprises.


*Thin-tongued westerner
urbpan: (dandelion)
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The funnest thing is when Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross are in the exact same position.
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urbpan: (dandelion)
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My friend Siobhan is a zookeeper at the Capron Park Zoo, and offered to give Fiona and I a behind-the-scenes tour. Here's the beautiful eye of one of the Visayan warty hogs.

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