Fungi in unexpected places
We spent last Christmas Day with our daughter, her partner and our granddaughter, Milly, and pride of place was taken by the Christmas tree, which Milly proudly helped to decorate. After Christmas, the tree was planted in the garden at my daughter's house, where we hope it will thrive until next Christmas. To help the tree settle into its garden site, Milly likes to regularly water it to make sure it doesn't dry out.
As I accompanied Milly on one of these watering sessions, I took a closer look at the area where the tree has been planted and to my surprise I found two different fungi growing in considerable profusion nearby. I can't believe that, without my noticing, these fungi have been quietly growing so close to places I visit so regularly. I suppose the lesson here is that I need to be more observant and appreciative of what is around me!
This is Milly watering her Christmas tree.
Some unexpected fungi growing near Milly's tree.
More fungi near Milly's tree
Do you think either of those fungi might be good for dyeing?
I’m not sure, Kathy. Perhaps I should try them out.
Try dyeing with them, it would be pretty cool if you got some crazy colour out of them 😀
Funny what is right in front of ours eyes and until we slow down we don't see them. thank goodness for children to slowing us down to see the little things.
The top ones look like turkey tail. I've heard rumors that it can be used to dye with, but I've never gotten any color from them. We dried them, boiled them, tried reducing them for weeks with ammonia…. and no color. I'd love to hear how anyone else is getting color from them. We have loads.
The top one surely looks like Turkey tails (but it would be good to see the under side). It is used to make paper!
The second one is the velvet shank, Flammulina velutipes; a common winter mushroom. Edible! in fact it is culvitated in Japan.