After the cooler weather, we eventually had a few mushrooms sprouting around here this time. I spotted a couple of species on my fungi hunt today!
As I passed by this small, low bank, I spotted a few clusters under the bushes, which I jumped onto to take these photos.
They are called Weeping Widows (Lacrymaria lacrymabunda).
A mushroom species with a dramatic little character, though I have mentioned it before, but I haven't given it proper attention.
They exude black, watery droplets from their gills, hence the name weeping. The word lacrymaria means "tearful".
The cap is often dark, velvety brown and becomes shaggy and ragged with age, resembling a tattered mourning veil, hence widow.
Being on the ground on the lower, damp side, they managed to thrive.
These were surrounded by wildflowers, and some pretty little flowers even fell on their caps.
Here are the mature ones.
And look, little ones growing underneath!
These three are snuggled close.
Across the way, I also spotted a Deer Mushroom that looked a bit tired.
Deer Mushrooms are edible, but I left this one for the deer and squirrels; they love it, hence the name.
The cap of the Deer Mushroom is umbonate, meaning it has a nipple-like bump in the centre.
Its gills are pink, packed tightly, bushy but brittle.
The slits on the gills let light shine through, glowing beautifully on the stalk.
That's my short fungi hunt today!
My share in @fungifriday by @ewkaw.
Have a lovely day,
Mariah 😊🍄