— I am not knowledgeable about fungi. However, I cannot deny the attraction I have to photograph them in any setting I can find them. The fungi you see in this post were captured when I attended a macro workshop to photograph bees, dragonflies, and damselflies in flight. As the group was returning to their cars, everyone stopped at the wildflower garden near the parking lot. Among several flowers we saw there, there was one section of the garden full of these small fungi. As best as I can tell, these are called Leucocoprinus cretaceus or White Dapperling fungi.
Leucocoprinus cretaceus is a species of mushroom commonly known as the “chalk-loving leucocoprinus” or the “white dapperling.” It belongs to the family Agaricaceae and is characterized by its striking appearance, as seen in these photos. The mushroom‘s cap is usually white or pale yellow, often with a blue or green tinge when young, while the gills and stem are white. Leucocoprinus cretaceus is saprophytic, meaning it obtains nutrients by decomposing organic matter. It is typically found growing in grassy areas, especially lawns, during the late summer and fall seasons. It is likely tropical, but it was first documented in Europe. This next photo is a macro showing the texture detail.
Although I have a large number of fungi photos, I chose this specific type to answer Denzil’s Nature blog call for fungi in his challenge #8.
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SoyBend
Nice close ups of its texture, Egodio.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much.
Anne Sandler
Great images of the fungi Egidio and great research! I’ve never seen this species before.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Anne. I had never seen those fungi before either.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful photographs of the fungi Egidio, I especially love the way you captured the detail in the macro 😊
Egídio Leitão
Xenia, thank you for the compliment.
margaret21
This is a beauty. I’m always wary of nubbly fungi, and I see this one probably is toxic. Not for the dinner table then!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Margaret. I normally don’t touch fungi. After your note, I checked about the toxicity of the white dapperling. One site said they are “considered edible” but other authorities suggest they can be slightly poisonous. I’m not going to find out.
margaret21
Nor me!