What's this weird purple fungus?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by RandyRos, Feb 27, 2013.

  1. RandyRos

    RandyRos Gardener

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    1,027
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Norfolk
    Ratings:
    +404
    Found in my mum in law's border, hiding under a low growing variegated shrub. It's growing straight out of the ground, not on a log or anything. It has 2 short stumps at the base which are the fungus, not a rotting shrub stump as I first thought.
    Any ideas???

    mushroom.jpg
     
  2. liliana

    liliana Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2012
    Messages:
    2,584
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Oxford
    Ratings:
    +2,580
    Run for the hills, the aliens have landed!...........sorry do not know.;)
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

      Ratings:
      +0
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • RandyRos

        RandyRos Gardener

        Joined:
        May 7, 2009
        Messages:
        1,027
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Norfolk
        Ratings:
        +404
        I don't think so, Zigs. But do you think I could fool a Chinese Herbalist & sell it to them? :heehee:
         
      • RandyRos

        RandyRos Gardener

        Joined:
        May 7, 2009
        Messages:
        1,027
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Norfolk
        Ratings:
        +404
        I looked it up in my MILs book and the closest I could find was a Blood Staining Bracket (or something), but pics of that on the internet don't look right
         
      • RandyRos

        RandyRos Gardener

        Joined:
        May 7, 2009
        Messages:
        1,027
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Norfolk
        Ratings:
        +404
        I should have said its about 10cm across.
         
      • Lolimac

        Lolimac Guest

        Ratings:
        +0
        Maybe a 'Blackish purple Russula'....Russula atropurpurea:dunno:
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • RandyRos

          RandyRos Gardener

          Joined:
          May 7, 2009
          Messages:
          1,027
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Norfolk
          Ratings:
          +404
          nope, that has a white stem. :scratch: I've been googling again, but I'm stumped
           
        • RandyRos

          RandyRos Gardener

          Joined:
          May 7, 2009
          Messages:
          1,027
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Norfolk
          Ratings:
          +404
          I googled and emailed the pic to a few places. just got this reply.....

          Hi Ros

          Nice find! It is a polypore fungus called Ganoderma lucidum, the 'Lacquered Bracket'. The upper surface varies from orange to a brownish purple, and although apparently growing from the ground the buried part of 'stem' will have been attached to a tree root just below the soil surface.

          More details are online here: http://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ganoderma-lucidum.php
           
          • Informative Informative x 2
          • RandyRos

            RandyRos Gardener

            Joined:
            May 7, 2009
            Messages:
            1,027
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Norfolk
            Ratings:
            +404
            • Like Like x 1
            • Phil A

              Phil A Guest

              Ratings:
              +0
              There's a first time for everything [​IMG] :biggrin:
               
              • Like Like x 1
              Loading...

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Dismiss Notice