What is really interesting about this mushroom though, is the story behind its name. Mary Elizabeth Banning was an early American mycologist and illustrator, known for The Fungi of Maryland, a manuscript containing 174 watercolor illustrations of local fungi. Had it been published, it would have been an enormous leap forward for the American mycology of the time, but unfortunately it sat in a drawer for 91 years after her death, only to be unearthed in 1981.
Author Archives: recycledpaperclips
A Black Widow and other things I’ve seen in June
Black widows are one of those species whose name travels far ahead of their actual presence, so it was neat to actually see with my own eyes something I’d heard so much about. After seeing one I did some research and learned that though highly poisonous, a bite from a black widow is not soContinue reading “A Black Widow and other things I’ve seen in June”
The Ohio Buckeye
The Ohio Buckeye is a distinctively Midwestern tree, so much so that “buckeye” became a kind of metonym for the region and the early Anglo-American settlers thereof. The name “buckeye” itself needs explanation. The most commonly given one is that the shiny brown fruits resemble the eyes of a buck. The Ohio Buckeye belongs toContinue reading “The Ohio Buckeye”
Mushroom Report: The Veiled Polypore
I’ve talked about “veiled” mushrooms on this blog before, but the veiled polypore, Cryptoporus volvatus, is different. Usually, a mushroom’s veil helps protect the gills while it is maturing, but then disintegrates when the mushroom is ready to spread its spores. After all, permanently enclosing your spore bearing surfaces makes no sense as it preventsContinue reading “Mushroom Report: The Veiled Polypore”
Mimic Flies and Crayfish: Recent Discoveries
Today looking at a part of the natural world I often overlook: the invertebrates. In particular, I’ve recently learned about two fairly different sets of invertebrates: mimic flies and burrowing crayfish. Mimic flies, also known as hoverflies or flower flies, are an incredible family. They are typically black and yellow, fly from flower to flowerContinue reading “Mimic Flies and Crayfish: Recent Discoveries”
3 Things You Might Find While You’re Looking for Morels
Morel hunting can be tough going. It’s the perfect place at the perfect time…and there’s nothing doing. Luckily, there’s a lot more going on in morel season than just morels. Adding a couple other things to your repertoire can salvage an otherwise disappointing hunt. To start with, a mushroom you will almost certainly find ifContinue reading “3 Things You Might Find While You’re Looking for Morels”
Pollen Cones, Seed Cones and Pine Candles: Conifers in Spring
To start with, the basics: conifers are gymnosperms, meaning they don’t have flowers. More specifically, their seeds are not encased within a fruit produced from an ovary. But they do have male and female structures, and they do reproduce through pollination. Above you can see the immature female or seed cone, called the megastrobilus. Below,Continue reading “Pollen Cones, Seed Cones and Pine Candles: Conifers in Spring”
Photo Highlights: Various Early April Finds
The Mushroom Report
Most interesting find of the week, in fact, probably of the year so far, was this guy: This, I believe, is Gyromitra korfii, considered a good edible, in contrast to a close look-alike, Gyromitra esculenta, which is toxic. The main differences are the thickness of the stem and the color. Korfii is more squat andContinue reading “The Mushroom Report”
Flamekeeper: Great Musician, So-so Documentary.
Music documentaries often suffer from the same problem. Twenty different people saying the same thing. “He’s just on another level, man” or “There’s no one quite like him,” or insert platitudinous superlative here. It doesn’t matter how right they are, the same thing said over and over again (interspersed with performance clips) doesn’t make aContinue reading “Flamekeeper: Great Musician, So-so Documentary.”
recycled paper clips 