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The main body of most fungi is made up of fine, branching, usually colourless threads called hyphae. Each fungus will have vast numbers of these hyphae, all intertwining to make up a tangled web called the mycelium. Fungal mycelium is mostly hidden from human view, not only because of its small size, but also as a result of its location. The tangled mycelial mass is usually hidden deep within its food sources, such as rotting matter in the soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, or dead animals. The mycelium remains undetected until it develops one or more fruiting bodies, containing the reproductive spores. They are usually produced at the surface of the food source, rather than hidden within it, to allow the spores to be shed and carried away by the wind, or by water, or animals. The fruiting bodies are usually the only indication we have that a fungus is present. Like icebergs, they represent a tiny fraction of the whole fungus, with most of it being hidden from view.
Fungi can be found in just about any habitat you care to mention. But most macrofungi, those with fruiting bodies big enough to be easily seen, can be found in woodlands and meadows.
Exposed mycelium is sometimes referred to as ozonium or air mycelium. Spotted in Kroondomein Het Loo in rural area of Apeldoorn, Holland. (sources:see reference)
6 Comments
Photo No. 2: is a very beautiful photo, and a very colorful photo....a very interesting photo....
Most of the ozonium found are in the coprinoid group but this white one is unusual.
Well that's a coincidence, Gerrit Oost told me it was air mycelium. I thought it was a slime mold myself :)
Thanks, Mark. I'll leave the scientific name field blank. I'm not sure about the species, because there were several different species of bracket fungi present on that log.
Here's a good visual match to yours http://www.gerritoost.nl/main.php?g2_ite...
Good spotting Jae. Any chance you know what genus or species this might be? (the scientific name field should be left blank otherwise)