This "thing" was found on our office wall. The structure looks like it may be Fungus, but I'm not even remotely educated in the field. Anyone care to take a stab at IDing it? TIA
It does seem to have attracted some fungus flies? But I can't tell by this photo any sort of details. How large is it...what color...does it smell? Is it decaying.... What kind of wall is it growing from, wood/paneling/board/plywood.....does this spot get sunlight and what about moisture? How interesting! I can't imagine walking into a place and finding a mushroom growing from the wall....lucky! lol
One of the Professors here on campus is offering to do a DNA analysis to find out the exact ID :D The "Sclerotia" are dark (black with the naked eye). The underlying crystaline/thread-like substance is tan on top and fades to white below.
Please let us know what the Prof. finds. It looks very interesting! I wonder if it's not a slime mould rather then a fungus?
First, I applaud SBD's scientific response to this unexpected visitor---the desire to identify it, not immediately destroy it. However...as C.W. asks, what kind of surface is this growing upon? Is it emerging from behind the visible wall---if so, one wonders what perhaps larger colony is proliferating there! I am concerned for any co-workers who might have asthma or other breathing/allergy issues. Yes, please, give us more info and photos, something that shows us the size of the thing. By this point it likely looks different from this photo, and that might help our fungus folk w/I.D. Perhaps SBD et.al. might consider purchasing a dehumidifier, or growing mushrooms as a lucrative sideline!
