Identification: What's this unusual fungus from Down Under?

Discussion in 'Fungi, Lichens and Slime Molds' started by john dengate, Jun 12, 2013.

  1. john dengate

    john dengate New Member

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    G'Day from Australia,

    Does anyone know what this fungus might be? It is growing in a dry climate with about 10" (25cm) of rain a year and hasn't been seen there before.

    Thank you very much.


    John Dengate

    PS, we had the best time a few years ago in BC - the forests, the salmon, the birds, the food - all great!
     

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  2. vitog

    vitog Contributor 10 Years

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    We would need to see the underside and probably a spore print to identify most mushrooms. A wild guess would be Phaeolepiota aurea, but I don't know if it grows in Australia.
     
  3. john dengate

    john dengate New Member

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    Thanks Vitog,

    Yes it's not the greatest info on which to base an ID. Some mycological colleagues here have just said it looks like a Gymnopilus junonius - also called laughing Jim because of the hallucinogens. I think you get them in some parts of Canada and US.

    kind regards,


    John D
     
  4. MycoRob

    MycoRob Active Member

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    This does not look characteristic of a Gymnopilus. I suspect your spore print will be pale brown or even white.
     
  5. john dengate

    john dengate New Member

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    Hi Rob,

    the spores from gymnopilus here seem to be a light brown. Is that the same as in BC?
     
  6. MycoRob

    MycoRob Active Member

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    Gymnopilus junonius (formerly G. spectabilis) has a bright rusty orange spore print.
     
  7. MycoRob

    MycoRob Active Member

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    Here is a paper a couple of my students wrote. Very pertinent to this thread.
     

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  8. john dengate

    john dengate New Member

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    Thanks Rob, I'm trying to get some more detail on the local one. Is it possible that Aussie versions of Gymnopilus could have brownish spores??
     
  9. MycoRob

    MycoRob Active Member

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    Spore color should be the most invariable part of the specimen across locations.

    Another major characteristic of the Gymnopilus is odor: a strong sweet fruity smell.
     

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