The visible structure of bracket fungus growing on dead wood in our garden; the whorls and striations are complex and striking.
With the decline of natural forests, and because in commercial plantations dead wood is removed, many fungi are in decline or even disappearing. In addition to loss of forests and host species, air pollution is also a threat to some fungi.
As decomposers, fungi form an important part of a forest or woodland ecosystem. Some fungi are of direct value to humans, for example, edible fungi (think mushrooms) and those that are used in medicine, such as in some antibiotics.
In my view, every garden should have a secret corner that includes dead wood where fungi can find a foothold. Every now and then, we can pay a discreet visit and marvel at the diversity of life and complex structures that thrive, though uncultivated and unattended, if we just let them and leave them be.
This photo is posted in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge theme ‘Structure’ with the invitation to share a photo of the structure of something wonderful. To see photos from other bloggers on this theme, click here
Posted by Carol
October 22, 2017 at 7:03 am
I love fungis and that is a very special one! Lovely structure!
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October 22, 2017 at 7:06 am
Thanks. I find fungi endlessly fascinating too!
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September 19, 2017 at 6:05 pm
You are fortunate to have this in your garden – please go and look at the photos in this post taken during a day hike Groeneweide at Saasveld https://abriejoubert.wordpress.com/2016/11/25/a-time-for-exploring-a-fistful-of-fern-gallantry/
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September 19, 2017 at 7:17 pm
What a magical forest and lovely pics!
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September 19, 2017 at 7:19 pm
It is indeed and thanks
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September 1, 2017 at 9:46 am
Fungi is SO important and you are so right that every garden should have a place where it can take a hold. And so much fungi is so beautiful that really it is little sacrifice, just perhaps an adjustment of prejudice for some.
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September 1, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Well, my prejudice is that a secret corner can provide habitat for wonderful surprises (and the tantalising thought that some of what is nurtured there might remain a secret), and so an adjustment to provide for one can turn out to be hugely rewarding 🙂
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September 1, 2017 at 8:32 am
I had just finished reading this post (https://beyondthewindowbox.wordpress.com/2017/08/31/rock-and-pebbles/) when I opened yours, and was struck by how similar in many ways these shots were, though one is of a living then decaying organism, the other of rocks changing only thanks to the actions of the elements. Lovely image!
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September 1, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Thanks for the link Margaret. Yes the similarities are striking, and when one thinks about it somewhat surprising!
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September 1, 2017 at 7:12 am
What a nice surprise! You strayed from the typical pics of flowers and hit upon something just as beautiful!
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September 1, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Thanks Mainepp. I think it is just as beautiful too 🙂
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September 1, 2017 at 6:14 am
Autumn is coming, soon be lots of fungi to photograph.
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September 1, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Meanwhile … we are heading for spring!
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September 1, 2017 at 4:10 pm
And the earth continues to turn ……. despite Brexit and Trump😂😂
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September 1, 2017 at 4:40 pm
🙂
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September 1, 2017 at 4:55 am
Great photo! Nice choice for the challenge!
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September 1, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Thanks so much Shibin.
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August 31, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Lovely photo, Pam. I agree with you in that we should all have a secret corner in our gardens where fungi can grow 🙂
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September 2, 2017 at 5:21 am
Thanks. So glad you agree about the secret corner ☺
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August 31, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Great photo!
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September 2, 2017 at 5:40 am
Thanks so much Rebel Girl.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:36 pm
This looks like ‘turkey tails’ – I think they grow just about everywhere. Fungi do such a great service to the planet. They are everywhere around here in the woods, esp. this time of year.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:52 pm
Oh yes, I saw some photos of bracket fungi called ‘turkey tails’ and got the impression they are more colourful than the one I photographed, but perhaps the name refers to the shape only without taking into account any colouration? Nice to know that you see them in profusion in the woods.
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September 1, 2017 at 12:14 am
Ours range from greenish to rust to gray. They are very common here and apparently a tea from them is anti-carcinogenic.
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September 2, 2017 at 5:20 am
That is interesting. Thanks.
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August 31, 2017 at 5:30 pm
I too enjoy the variety of fungi that appears in my garden. The variety of colours and shapes is amazing.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:15 pm
They are amazing and its remarkable how many are around once one starts trying to notice them.
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August 31, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Love it
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August 31, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Thanks Sherry.
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August 31, 2017 at 2:50 pm
These are beautiful. The colors and striations remind me of how some
rocks look when cross sectioned.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Thanks Sandy. Yes, in fact I was thinking they remind me of some agates I have seen.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Yes! That was the type of rock I had in mind, but I couldn’t remember the name.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Interesting that we both had the same associations 🙂
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August 31, 2017 at 11:14 pm
Yes, it is. I’m glad you clarified for me, so it would stop rattling around in my brain!
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September 2, 2017 at 5:19 am
I so know that feeling!
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