365 Urban Species. Urban Species #042: Red Tree Brain.

[urbpan]

Urban species #042: Red Tree Brain Peniophora rufa.

Some fungi can be surprisingly particular. The evocatively named red tree brain only grows on dead wood of trees in the genus Populus. That includes poplar, aspen, and cottonwood trees. It grows year-round, dull and crust-like on dry or freezing days, swelling to livid jelly in warm and moist weather.

The mundane but vital work of decomposing wood is generally carried about invisibly, but when the fungi need to reproduce, they produce wonderful and often bizarre-looking fruiting bodies. See also split gill, Stereum, coral spot, and wood ear; at least, so far this year.

Comments

[zipotle.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the name and how it goes with the look.

[momomom.livejournal.com]

I found some wood ear on my dead pussy willow and knew what it was thanks to you. :)
Now if only I could figure out WHY the silly pussy willow died.

[(Anonymous)]

Oooooh, gorgeous! That would be a very nice Valentine's Day picture.

I found some orange jelly fungus on a log near the stream in the Arnold Arboretum a few weeks ago... it smelled like creamsicles. :)