Mushroom a Day: #2

Enchanted Toadstool
Enchanted Toadstool

This is the mushroom that Ann wanted me to see specifically (she’d spotted it earlier) and the reason we set out on the “middle path” the other day on what turned out to be a mycological excursion resulting in a couple of weeks-worth of ‘shroom pix.

And I can frankly say I’ve never seen anything quite like it–particularly the iridescent sheen visible in the flesh but really jumping out with only slight tweaks of contrast and saturation. I’m betting there are some odd infrared or UV aspects to the way this thing reflects and absorbs light.

I half expected out of the corner of my eye to see giggling elves peeking from behind the trees while I grunted and squirmed and scratched my head before this strange life form in our forest.

Have you seen this particular creature?  Anyone ID it? It stands about 5 inches tall and 4 inches across. Gills are waxy and mauve in color (I’ve wanted to use that odd word for some while, so there, it’s done!)

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fred
fred

Fred First holds masters degrees in Vertebrate Zoology and physical therapy, and has been a biology teacher and physical therapist by profession. He moved to southwest Virginia in 1975 and to Floyd County in 1997. He maintains a daily photo-blog, broadcasts essays on the Roanoke NPR station, and contributes regular columns for the Floyd Press and Roanoke's Star Sentinel. His two non-fiction books, Slow Road Home and his recent What We Hold in Our Hands, celebrate the riches that we possess in our families and communities, our natural bounty, social capital and Appalachian cultures old and new. He has served on the Jacksonville Center Board of Directors and is newly active in the Sustain Floyd organization. He lives in northeastern Floyd County on the headwaters of the Roanoke River.

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  1. Indeed, the mushroom does look enchanted !! Beautiful……and thanks to Ann for spotting it.

    I am sure the elves were watching……….

    Mark

  2. What a great find! I don’t know what it is but I sure enjoy seeing the picture of it. You do such a great job, Fred. It’s always a delight to visit your site. Thanks!