Categories
David

Velvet shanks on a stump

Velvet shanks on a stump

Velvet shanks are fungi which are one of the few things growing even in the depths of winter. They can survive being frozen solid, thawing, and continuing to grow.

Velvet shanks on a stump

These were on a stump in the grounds of the Chestnut Tree pub in Finchfield.

Velvet shanks on a stump

Categories
David

Castle and church, winter

Bridgnorth view, winter

The leaning remains of Bridgnorth castle, with the church tower behind, as seen on one of the frosty days last month.

Categories
David

Fruiting moss on a brick wall

Fruiting moss on a brick wall

The impressive structures growing from this patch of moss are its fruiting bodies, which hold the spores.

Fruiting moss on a brick wall

Categories
David

Frost-covered umbellifer

Frost-covered umbellifer

The remains of an umbellifer growing by the Birmingham Canal near Aldersley, encrusted in frost during last month’s cold spell.

Categories
David

Fungus growing from a wall

Growing from a wall

Unidentified, and rather foxed, fungus which was growing from the base of a wall by a bus stop.

Growing from a wall

Something must have found it appetising enough to nibble at.

Growing from a wall

Categories
David

Ageing earth stars

Ageing earth star

Earth stars are fungi with such an exotic shape they look like they might have been dropped from outer space.

Ageing earth star

They have a hole in the top of their fruiting bodies for their spores to escape, powered by raindrops landing on it.

Ageing earth stars

These were growing in the front of a garden, possibly associated with the pine trees. Although I walk past the garden at least once a week on visits to the supermarket, the earth stars had been around for some time before I noticed them.