Fungus & Lichen

Image by Igor Kramar Shoppers of Asian and exotic food markets are familiar with those packages of dried, black fungi known as wood ear mushrooms. Are wood ear mushrooms edible? These are synonymous with…

Image by Gardening Know How, via sinead It’s easy to mentally divide the garden into plants and animals, but it’s not always that simple sometimes. Besides plant bacteria and the viruses that roam the world,…

Image by Jennifer Martell via GKH Scavenger Hunt You may have seen artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus) and not even know it. The fungus resembles scaly dirt or mud spots and is found on light colored…

Image by SueBurtonPhotography If you have black, club-shaped mushrooms at or near the base of a tree, you may have dead man’s finger fungus. This fungus may indicate a serious condition that needs your…

Image by hipproductions For many homeowners, mushrooms can be a nuisance growing in lawns, flower beds, and manicured landscape plantings. While troublesome, most mushroom populations can be easily removed…

Image by GordonImages For years, the group of organisms called fungi was lumped together with bacteria and other tiny plants without roots, stems, leaves, or chlorophyll. It is now known that fungi are in a…

Image by hsvrs Mycorrhizal fungi and plants have a mutually beneficial relationship. Let’s take a look at how these “good fungi” help your plants grow stronger. Mycorrhizal Activity The word “mycorrhiza”…

Image by John Rusk You may not know yet what it is, but you have probably seen usnea lichen growing on trees. Although not related, it resembles Spanish moss, hanging in thin threads from tree branches. To…

Image by Lumase Tree lichens appear on many trees. They tend to be considered either a fortunate blessing or a frustrating pest. Lichens on trees are unique and harmless but some may consider them unsightly.…

Image by hekakoskinen You will recognize why this species has its moniker the instant you set eyes upon it. Bird’s nest fungi in gardens look just like the avian habitats for which they are named. What is…