Ganoderma lucidum

The Mushroom of Immortality

| Flower Roberts

I found them clinging to the side of an old maple tree.

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The color glowed in the morning sun.

Eating it could give spiritual potency and even immortality.

Such a lovely shine and color.

Shaped like a delicate pastry in a bakery.

Arranged nicely along the trunk like a serving tower.

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One little Ling Chih was caught between trees.

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Should I just eat some here under the tree?

Would there be enough for me to share with my family?

Should I carry some back to give to my elderly parents?

I really should share my good fortune with others…but how much and with who?

Did I remove the Ganoderma lucidum from the tree?

Did I eat the Ling Chih?

We shall see.

FLOWER

 

A Conk On An Oak

| Flower Roberts

This is a rather large and lovely fruiting body of a fungus.

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Although I was happy to find it, it is a bad sign for the oak on which it resides.

It is also referred to as root rot or butt rot.

This part of the fungi is called a basidocarp. These can get several feet wide and over half a foot tall.

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The top is a mixture of oranges, browns and whites. The top is hard and leathery or rubbery.   The underside is white with tiny pores.

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These two were found around the base of my neighbors’ oak.  This is twice as bad as finding one because it means the decay is more severe. (Sorry M & N.)

I also spotted the one below downtown, which I plan to report to our local arborist.

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The Conk is lovely but a deadly delight.

FLOWER