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Project Noah Nature School
Schizophyllum commune
Bracket-like fungi 30mm; long, pale green fur on top; fully decurrent pinkish gills; tough, rubbery and very well attached.
Wet and dark eucalyptus forest. On a large rotting log.
Possibly the most dangerous thing you could come in contact with in the wild... " they have been linked to such adverse health effects as brain abscess, fungus ball in the lungs, sinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, ulcerative lesions of the hard palate, chronic lung disease, meningitis, and onychomycosis. In one case, the fungus had grown through the soft palate of a child's mouth and was actually forming mushrooms in her sinuses... " (thanks Blueswami.com) Also known as 'Split gills' these fungi are possibly the most widespread species on earth, being found on every continent except Antarctica. Be careful with these although the aren't poisonous.
Spotted on May 10, 2012
Submitted on May 10, 2012
8 Comments
Emma I'm not sure it is that deadly... it sounds more of a problem if you 'breathe' it. Here's what Wikipedia says... "Although European and US guidebooks list it as inedible, this is apparently due to differing standards of taste rather than known toxicity."
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/113...
I wonder what will become of this western fence lizard after being exposed to this deadly fungus
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/100...
I found something similar. I touched it ,but washed my hands after that. Wish i had not touched it after i read how easily it can spread.
It was featured as a Valentines Day Mushroom on the news.
Thank so much Argy i have no idea and is very abundant in all Yucatan Peninsula i will tell all my friends and family to be careful, do you know if they have effect on animals as well like cats and dogs i most be?
Yes it's the same thing Gerardo.
I was shocked to find how widespread this is and how dangerous it can be. It's on every continent (except Antarctica). Please don't breathe near it.
Interesting Argy can you please take at look at this spotting maybe the same species we have it everywhere here :)
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/896...
Snakes, spiders, mosquitoes, stinking caterpillars, and now deadly fungi... I am thinking to go photograph less dangerous things...
This might be the most dangerous thing you encounter in the forests.