Saturday, December 6, 2008

Electric Blue Mold or Lichen?


The other day I went up in the woods looking for kindling for the woodstove and found this small poplar log (about 4 inches in diameter). When I turned it over, I was surprised to see this brightly-colored blue mold.


Here's another view of the log. Not sure if it's a lichen, algae or mold.


And another close up showing some other lichen and white mold.

Maybe there are some fungi experts out there who can help identify it. For now, I will enjoy the lovely color.

6 comments:

  1. Wow that is amazing color...I hope someone can Id the mold or whatever it is. I did a google search and couldnt come up with anything yet..
    great photos..
    thanks

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  2. Too cool! Hmmm. Did you touch it? Was it slimey? It doesn't really look like a slime mold. It looks like the off white lichen in structure next to it. I wonder if it is the whitish lichen, but with a mold growing on it. May be it has a virus. Do lichens get viruses? What an interesting picture!

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  3. Okay doke, maybe I should just check my guides first before I post! I think it is Pulcherricium caeruleum the spreading blue velvet fungus.
    I googled it and came up with this neat site:
    http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/july2000.html

    here is a good photo that matches yours:
    http://morelmushroomhunting.com/pulcherricium_caeruleum.htm

    Thanks for posting the photo. I learned something.

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  4. dAwN--thanks for the note. I love the color too.

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  5. Pam--thanks so much for giving me those websites. Yes, I think you're right--it's Pulcherricium caeruleum. The description fits perfectly. I will post so people can see your id.

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  6. that's 'Blue Velvet Spread' according to national Audubon's field guide to north American mushrooms.

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