Scorias spongiosa
After the latest fall rain I noticed a sponge fungi growing in the Beech Tree Aphid Poop I have discovered earlier. See Aphid Poop on my forest blog. From what I can find out this particular fungi only eats aphid poop on beech trees – talk about specialized! The mushroom does resemble sponge. It starts out white/yellow and with age turns black. I wonder if its only because of the black aphid poop it turns black.
Links
Scorias spongiosa
Type: Unknown and OddballsCollection date: 09/17/2008
Name: Scorias spongiosa
Common Name: beech aphid poop-eater
Description: After the last rain, I noticed a new sponge fungi growing on the beech trees under the black areas of aphid poop. The sponge starts out white/yellow and turns black with age. I guess that the black aphid poop is what turns it black.
Edibility: Who would want to?
Color: White to Cream turning black
Size: Over 15cm
Cap type: Sponge almost coral like
Gills: No Gills
Stem type: none
Flesh: white
Texture:
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium:
Spore color:
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on beech trees, eats aphid poop
Habitat3: Dead and live beech under aphids
Field Notes
Note: 09/18/2008 Most of the sponges have turned black. : 88-53°F : dryNote: 09/22/2008 I noticed sparrows sitting on limbs covered with aphids eating them. More mushrooms are appearing – looks like some on the ground in one place. I will watch it. : 55-82°F : Dry
Note: 09/23/2008 Still growing – new batches coming up : 57-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/24/2008 Observed it growing on ground added picture : 56-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/25/2008 New ones still coming, ones without aphids above still white. Something ate some of the aphids – sparrows like is saw? : 55-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/27/2008 Still here in abundance. : 57-80°F : Dry
Note: 09/29/2008 One on the ground was eaten by whatever ate the honey mushrooms at the base of this tree. : 54-80°F : Dry
Note: 10/05/2008 New ones still appearing. : 46-76°F : Dry
Note: 10/06/2008 Some new patches have started appearing – I spotted another patch on the ground, actually on grass. : 55-75°F : Dry
Note: 10/07/2008 Saw a couple new ones : 50-72°F : Light Rain
Note: 10/12/2008 New ones sprouting up after last rain even some on ground : 54-85°F : Moist
Note: 10/15/2008 A few coming up around. : 59-75°F : Moist (some showers)
Note: 10/20/2008 Still around and growing : 34-65°F : Dry