Identification: Blue edges - found in the Pacific Northwest

Hey!

A year ago last fall was particularly fruitful and I managed to get a bunch of nice photos of fungus from a trip to the Gulf Islands (near Vancouver). Unfortunately, I can't ID any of it! I have a few books, but too often I get caught in "need a microscope" or "might be blue, orange, brown or white". So here is my first image - you can find a larger page about it (and the context from the trip) here:

http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Kayaking2/BlueGrowingOutOfGround.html

It was growing on Pender Island in an Arbutus forest (the leaf litter around). Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks!

John

 

It concerns a tooth fungus named Hydnellum caeruleum (or a closely related species). I'll bet that the cap-like portion of these fruit bodies bears spine-like teeth which produce the spores. Please, consult the following page: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/aug2003.html

Cheers Harri Harmaja
http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/harmaja/about_myself.htm