What is it Wednesday: October 13, 2021

 

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

October 13, 2021. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

The fungus most visible in this photo is Panellus stipticus, also known as bitter oyster. 

This was a bit of a trick question, because what makes this fungus special is not visible in daylight, and is very difficult to photograph – it glows in the dark!

Bioluminescent fungi use the same chemicals to glow that fireflies use to flash – luciferin and luciferase. But the ways fireflies and fungi add oxygen to these chemicals to make them light up are different, and the ways the chemicals are synthesized inside their cells are different too. Only live tissue of the fungus glows, and only in certain conditions, like the proper temperatures, amount of sunlight, and pH. In some places glowing fungus is known as foxfire.

Jack-o-lanterns, a common orange mushroom found in abundant clusters around Lutherlyn, is another fungus that can glow in the dark.

We spotted several patches of the Panellus stipticus glowing fungus last week along Chapel Hill Lane between Terra Dei and the Rec Center. You can see from the additional pictures that there are actually at least three different types of fungi on this log on the logs nearby, and only one small section of fungus that glows.

Seeing an unidentified glow in the forest might have been pretty spooky in the times before people understood bioluminescence. At Halloween it’s fun to think about things in nature that may seem a little scary at first but after learning more are no longer scary but are very interesting! Happy Halloween everyone! 

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday archive: sometime in 2017

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday
sometime in 2017. 

 

And the answer is....

JACK O' LANTERN MUSHROOMS

This is a close up of Jack O'Lantern mushrooms. 

Jack O’Lantern fungus is often found in clusters on decaying stumps, 
buried roots or at the base of hardwood trees. 

Sometimes they resembles the edible chanterelle mushroom, but Jack O’Lanterns are poisonous – don’t eat them! 

Jack O'Lanterns are one of a handful of mushrooms in Pennsylvania which are bioluminescent: when they are fresh, the gills on the underside of the Jack O’Lantern mushroom may emit a slight greenish glow.

Their bright orange color and occasional eerie glow make this a great Halloween find in nature! 

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday: October 20, 2021

 

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

October 20, 2021. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

This mushroom is Coprinus comatus, commonly known as shaggy mane. 

It is sometimes also called lawyer’s wig or shaggy ink cap. 

In addition to its distinctive shape and texture, shaggy mane is notable for its life cycle. A few days after emerging, as it begins to decompose it starts to drip a black liquid, and eventually the whole mushroom dissolves into this inky black goo. This process can be called "deliquescence" - meaning to liquify - or "autodigestion" - because an enzyme within the mushroom is what causes it to begin to break down. 

shaggy mane beginning to "autodigest"

Shaggy mane is edible when fresh, but once picked it decomposes within hours, and is no longer useable.

Shaggy mane and another mushroom known as inky cap are often confused or conflated. They are related, have a similar shape, and both dissolve into inky black goo. The main difference is that inky cap does not have the shaggy texture that shaggy mane has. (Inky cap is also more of a light beige color while shaggy mane is white, and inky caps often open into a wider “umbrella” as they mature.) 

Despite this clear difference, many of the photos in an image search for inky cap are actually pictures of shaggy mane – a good reminder to double check any information you find online. 

Inky cap, like shaggy mane, is edible when fresh but there is a main difference. Inky cap is sometimes known as tipplers bane, as drinking alcohol while or after eating inky cap causes vomiting and heart palpitations. Remember to only eat mushrooms if you are experienced in identifying them or are with someone who is; and the safest way to avoid eating a poisonous mushroom is to not eat wild mushrooms!

Fall is a great time to spot interesting mushrooms – keep your eyes open wherever you are outdoors and see what you can find!

What is it Wednesday: September 22, 2021

 

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

September 22, 2021. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

This is a giant puffball mushroom. 

This time of year, it’s not uncommon to hear of people thinking they saw a volleyball or soccer ball left sitting in the yard, and on closer inspection realizing it is a large mushroom!

Giant puffballs are solid white on the outside and on the inside when fresh, and have no stem. As puffballs get older, spores develop on the inside, and the previously solid white center becomes a powdery gray-green. When disturbed (stepped on, tapped with a finger, hit with raindrops, etc.), this gray-green powder full of spores puffs out, giving puffballs their name. Giant puffballs are large and usually occur singly in an area, but other types of puffballs are much smaller and occur in large clusters.

puffball mushrooms after decaying and spreading spores

Giant puffballs and their smaller cousins are edible, BUT they do have two very poisonous look-alikes. Here’s a description from www.eattheweeds.com :  “Never take for granted you have a puffball. Always cut each one open vertically, top to bottom, and make sure it is one solid soft white mass inside with no outline.  You should make sure the inside is pure white, never dark, and that the outer skin of the puffball is thin. If the inside is dark from the start and the outer skin is thick you probably have Scleroderma, one of the earth balls. With smaller puffballs you must make sure the entire fruiting body is homogeneous, consistently a texture of marshmallows. You should slice down the center of every puffball to make sure there is not a pre-formed mushroom inside. If so, it is likely to be an immature form of the death angels, Amanita bisporigera, Amanita virosa, and Amanita verna. They are all deadly…. Ninety percent of all mushroom fatalities involve Amanitas.”

a mushroom not fully developed, looking a bit like a puffball but may be an amanita

 Even when you have conclusively identified a puffball, it can only be eaten if the inside is still completely white and a uniform texture.  

Remember to only eat mushrooms if you are experienced in identifying them or are with someone who is; and the safest way to avoid eating a poisonous mushroom is to not eat wild mushrooms. This is much less of a concern for animals, who can often eat many things that are poisonous to humans. The surface of this giant puffball has already been nibbled on by many small creatures – a giant feast!

Fall is a great time to spot interesting mushrooms - keep your eyes open wherever you are outdoors, or check out www.Lutherlyn.com to find out how you can visit Lutherlyn this fall and see what fascinating fungi you can spy here!

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday archive: November 27, 2019

Can you identify what's in this photo?

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

November 27, 2019. 

 And the answer is....

This colorful fungus is Trametes versicolor, also known as turkey tail. 

Turkey tail is a polypore bracket fungus that usually grows in layers. It feeds on decaying matter, so is often found on dead logs, as this one was. 

It grows not just in North America but across Europe and Asia as well. It is considered a medicinal mushroom in many places. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we at LEEP are thankful for all of YOU! 

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday: October 14, 2020

 

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

October 14, 2020. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

 

This amazing mushroom is often known as sheepshead (especially in Western PA). 

It is also called hen-of-the-woods, maitake, and ram’s head. Its scientific name is grifola frondosa. It is considered a choice edible and is also used medicinally. It has no dangerous look-alikes - the few mushrooms that resemble it  are also edible (though not as delicious). It is not at all uncommon to find specimens as big as the one in this photo, and sometimes even larger!

Always remember that whenever trying a new wild food it is important to make sure you have the correct identification and preparation, and to try a small amount at first to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction. With mushrooms especially, confirm identification with multiple sources and/or a trusted expert. (As always, the safest way to be sure you don’t eat any poisonous wild mushrooms is to not eat  any wild mushrooms.)

Congrats to our friend Zachary for such a wonderful find! 

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday archive: September 11, 2019

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

September 11, 2019. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

This type of mushroom is called Frost’s bolete. 

A bolete is a category of mushroom that usually has a substantial stem and a large spongy cap with no gills underneath. They often change color when bruised – the coloration of the bruised and unbruised flesh can be an identifying feature. Frost’s bolete has a distinctive red cap and stem, and bruises a striking blue-green in contrast when pressed or scraped. This along with the variegated stem, and the golden droplets of liquid that ooze from under the cap make a very distinctive and identifiable mushroom!

Mushrooms are actually just a small part of the fungus – the fruiting body, like the apple of a tree. In the fall and late summer, especially, a fascinating array of mushrooms emerge from the mostly invisible fungus under the soil or decaying wood. Though some are edible, many are poisonous and it’s often difficult to tell the difference – mushrooms are one of the features of nature it is best to enjoy with the eyes, not the mouth!

For more on how LEEP can help you identify the fascinating variety of life around us in nature, check out www.Lutherlyn.com/ee. And like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday: July 15, 2020

Can you identify what's in this photo?

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

July 15, 2020. 

And the answer is....

This is a mushroom known as chicken of the woods, also sometimes called sulphur shelf. It grows on dead trees and logs, and is a beautiful bright orange-yellow color, with color variations around the edge of the growth.

It is called chicken of the woods because it is edible, and the “flesh” of the mushroom has a color and texture a bit like cooked chicken breast. It also keeps its striking surface color when cooked, which makes it a pretty addition to dishes like sautéed vegetables. It is common, easy to identify, pick, and use, and filling – a great wild food find! For many people it is the first wild mushroom they eat, because it has no toxic look-alikes. But even for people who don’t eat wild mushrooms (the safest approach!) its striking color, shape, and abundant layers make it a treat to find.

Always remember that whenever trying a new wild food it is important to make sure you have the correct identification and preparation, and to try a small amount at first to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction. And the safest way to be sure you don’t eat any poisonous wild mushrooms is to not eat any wild mushrooms!

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!

What is it Wednesday: April 1, 2020

Can you identify what's in this photo?

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

April 1, 2020. 

And the answer is....

These are morel mushrooms. 

Morels are one of the most sought-after edible wild mushrooms, and are relatively easy to indentify conclusively. If you’ve never eaten morels before, don’t start now – but if you find some you can make a note of where you found  them, and look there again another year.

Unlike many mushrooms, which tend to emerge in the summer and fall, morels develop in the spring - in Western Pennsylvania usually in April and May. This photo was taken at the end of April 2019. We will be on the lookout for morels at Lutherlyn in the next few weeks!

Morels are very distinctive-looking, but can still sometimes be confused with false morels, which are NOT edible. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (a great resource on wildflowers and other discoveries in nature) “In false morels, the cap surface has lobes, folds, flaps, or wrinkles, but it does not have pits and ridges like a true morel. …false morel caps bulge outwards instead of being pitted inward. Also, when you slice a false morel down the middle, the cap and stalk are chambered. True morels are completely hollow.”  Many comparisons of the two can be found online. However, the safest way to be sure you don’t eat any poisonous wild mushrooms is to not eat ANY wild mushrooms! And I think we can all agree avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits is a priority right now - save any new wild edibles adventures for another time.

For an archive of previous What is it Wednesdays, check out our blog, http://lutherlynnature.blogspot.com/.  And for ways you can keep connected with Lutherlyn during this time, check out www.Lutherlyn.com/athome, as well as keeping an eye on Lutherlyn's facebook page. We hope to see you at Lutherlyn sometime soon! 

  

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!