Fungi, Lichens and Slime Molds Identification, Appreciation, Propagation, Discussions and more! Thu, 12 Mar 2026 23:02:11 +0000 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 23:02:11 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/fungi-lichens-and-slime-molds.237/ The changing chemistry of invasive death cap mushrooms Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:24:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-changing-chemistry-of-invasive-death-cap-mushrooms.105465/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-changing-chemistry-of-invasive-death-cap-mushrooms.105465/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper The changing chemistry of invasive death cap mushrooms​
]]> Deadly lookalikes Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:01:01 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/deadly-lookalikes.105464/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/deadly-lookalikes.105464/ invalid@example.com (allelopath) allelopath Mushroom poisoning surge hits immigrant communities harder

Health experts say people used to foraging elsewhere in the world are confusing death caps with edible, visually similar mushrooms found in their home countries, and hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise.

https://www.berkeleyside.org/2026/02/27/deadly-lookalikes

Via metafilter]]> 5 Fungus on Acer stump Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:20:53 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungus-on-acer-stump.105462/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungus-on-acer-stump.105462/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Acer freemanii or A. saccharinum were cut down on my street. The stump diameters of all of them were close to one metre. The one a block away has a fungus I have not seen before.
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One of the three stumps on my block is hosting Turkey Tails on what I think was the same species. The city has them all listed as Acer saccharinum, but forum...

Fungus on Acer stump]]> Fungi in funky pile... ID? Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:52:34 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-in-funky-pile-id.105456/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-in-funky-pile-id.105456/ invalid@example.com (tanuki33) tanuki33
There had been tones of rain a week earlier.
Although it does not show well in the picture the rings were very dark purple and there were hints of pale blue on the cap and the pellicle was still a little stretchy
Honestly I did not think I would find any of psilocybe mushrooms up that far but...

Fungi in funky pile... ID?]]> 9 Space mining without heavy machines? Microbes harvest metals from meteorites aboard space station Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:28:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/space-mining-without-heavy-machines-microbes-harvest-metals-from-meteorites-aboard-space-station.105450/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/space-mining-without-heavy-machines-microbes-harvest-metals-from-meteorites-aboard-space-station.105450/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Space mining without heavy machines? Microbes harvest metals from meteorites aboard space station​
Space mining without heavy machines? Microbes harvest metals from meteorites aboard space station]]> 1 Fungi mining and giant waste piles: How to get rare earths without mining rock Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:06:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-mining-and-giant-waste-piles-how-to-get-rare-earths-without-mining-rock.105446/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-mining-and-giant-waste-piles-how-to-get-rare-earths-without-mining-rock.105446/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Fungi mining and giant waste piles: How to get rare earths without mining rock​
Fungi mining and giant waste piles: How to get rare earths without mining rock]]> 1 Fungi help turn old mattresses into insulation Thu, 05 Feb 2026 04:20:51 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-help-turn-old-mattresses-into-insulation.105443/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-help-turn-old-mattresses-into-insulation.105443/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Fungi help turn old mattresses into insulation​
]]> 1 False Morel Linked to ALS Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:56:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/false-morel-linked-to-als.105424/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/false-morel-linked-to-als.105424/ invalid@example.com (allelopath) allelopath Archived Link (The Atlantic)

half of the ALS victims in Montchavin reported a time when they had acute mushroom poisoning. And according to Spencer, the human body may also metabolize gyromitrin into a compound that, over time, might lead to similar DNA damage as cycad seeds.

The article does comment that correlation is not causation

Study...

False Morel Linked to ALS]]> 2 Balanophora fungosa is not a fungus Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:51:25 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/balanophora-fungosa-is-not-a-fungus.105416/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/balanophora-fungosa-is-not-a-fungus.105416/ invalid@example.com (allelopath) allelopath https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm

Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots ...]]> Defunding fungi: US’s living library of ‘vital ecosystem engineers’ is in danger of closing Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:05:48 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/defunding-fungi-us%E2%80%99s-living-library-of-%E2%80%98vital-ecosystem-engineers%E2%80%99-is-in-danger-of-closing.105415/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/defunding-fungi-us%E2%80%99s-living-library-of-%E2%80%98vital-ecosystem-engineers%E2%80%99-is-in-danger-of-closing.105415/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Defunding fungi: US’s living library of ‘vital ecosystem engineers’ is in danger of closing​]]> 1 Experts Explore New Mushroom Which Causes Fairytale-Like Hallucinations Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:13:56 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/experts-explore-new-mushroom-which-causes-fairytale-like-hallucinations.105403/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/experts-explore-new-mushroom-which-causes-fairytale-like-hallucinations.105403/ invalid@example.com (allelopath) allelopath Lanmaoa asiatica

Some interesting bits:

Yunnan, China is home to 40 percent of the world's wild edible fungi

It is in Boletaceae family, thus related to the common porcini more than to any other currently known hallucinogenic mushroom species.]]> The mysterious black fungus from Chernobyl that may eat radiation Sat, 29 Nov 2025 04:58:37 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-mysterious-black-fungus-from-chernobyl-that-may-eat-radiation.105397/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-mysterious-black-fungus-from-chernobyl-that-may-eat-radiation.105397/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper The mysterious black fungus from Chernobyl that may eat radiation​
]]> Genetically engineered fungi are protein-packed, sustainable, and taste similar to meat Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:03:24 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/genetically-engineered-fungi-are-protein-packed-sustainable-and-taste-similar-to-meat.105393/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/genetically-engineered-fungi-are-protein-packed-sustainable-and-taste-similar-to-meat.105393/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Genetically engineered fungi are protein-packed, sustainable, and taste similar to meat​
Genetically engineered fungi are protein-packed, sustainable, and taste similar to meat]]> 2 Mushrooms (and more) for those with a sweet tooth Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:23:01 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mushrooms-and-more-for-those-with-a-sweet-tooth.105389/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mushrooms-and-more-for-those-with-a-sweet-tooth.105389/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/36230/]]> 2 Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't Mon, 17 Nov 2025 01:36:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/crime-pays-but-botany-doesnt.103057/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/crime-pays-but-botany-doesnt.103057/ invalid@example.com (allelopath) allelopath
NSFW - Language]]> 10 ex-street tree mushrooms Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:11:33 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/ex-street-tree-mushrooms.105385/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/ex-street-tree-mushrooms.105385/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Prunus avium. There are two or tree different mushrooms here. I didn't measure them, but the main crop seemed to reach around 8 or 9 cm in diameter.
View attachment 260954 View attachment 260955 View attachment 260956 View attachment 260957 View attachment 260958 ...

ex-street tree mushrooms]]> 2 Some stinkbugs’ legs carry a mobile fungal garden Sun, 09 Nov 2025 02:29:41 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/some-stinkbugs%E2%80%99-legs-carry-a-mobile-fungal-garden.105375/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/some-stinkbugs%E2%80%99-legs-carry-a-mobile-fungal-garden.105375/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Some stinkbugs’ legs carry a mobile fungal garden​
]]> 2 Tools for Identifying Mushrooms Sat, 08 Nov 2025 20:42:47 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tools-for-identifying-mushrooms.44106/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tools-for-identifying-mushrooms.44106/ invalid@example.com (Frog) Frog Tools for Identifying Mushrooms

I've tried to make a short but reasonably complete list. Some identification characters won't be relevant to your specimen at all, while some may identify your specimen pretty quickly. So, in general, it is useful to take note (and/or photos) of every feature...

Tools for Identifying Mushrooms]]> 14 After the flames: How fire-loving fungi help B.C.’s forests recover Tue, 04 Nov 2025 02:05:29 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/after-the-flames-how-fire-loving-fungi-help-b-c-%E2%80%99s-forests-recover.105373/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/after-the-flames-how-fire-loving-fungi-help-b-c-%E2%80%99s-forests-recover.105373/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper After the flames: How fire-loving fungi help B.C.’s forests recover​
]]> Floral-scented fungus lures mosquitoes to their doom Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:34:13 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/floral-scented-fungus-lures-mosquitoes-to-their-doom.105361/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/floral-scented-fungus-lures-mosquitoes-to-their-doom.105361/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Floral-scented fungus lures mosquitoes to their doom​
]]> 6 A jack-o’-lantern like no other — Halloween’s glowing fungi Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:36:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-jack-o%E2%80%99-lantern-like-no-other-%E2%80%94-halloween%E2%80%99s-glowing-fungi.105366/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-jack-o%E2%80%99-lantern-like-no-other-%E2%80%94-halloween%E2%80%99s-glowing-fungi.105366/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper A jack-o’-lantern like no other — Halloween’s glowing fungi​
]]> The 10 Most Expensive Mushrooms in the World Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:43:35 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-10-most-expensive-mushrooms-in-the-world.105358/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-10-most-expensive-mushrooms-in-the-world.105358/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Note: The article is somewhat dated.

The 10 Most Expensive Mushrooms in the World]]> 9 Mushrooms show promise as memory chips for future computers Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:44:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mushrooms-show-promise-as-memory-chips-for-future-computers.105363/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mushrooms-show-promise-as-memory-chips-for-future-computers.105363/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Mushrooms show promise as memory chips for future computers​
]]> 1 Fungi may provide plastic alternative. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 03:27:33 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-may-provide-plastic-alternative.105362/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fungi-may-provide-plastic-alternative.105362/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 single-use plastics, we can help lessen the waste that ends up in landfills and the ocean; nature offers elegant, sustainable solutions to help us get there," says Caitlin Howell, the corresponding author of the study from the University of Maine.

The researchers say this work is a successful...

Fungi may provide plastic alternative.]]> 1 Photo gallery. Sun, 19 Oct 2025 05:59:53 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/photo-gallery.105355/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/photo-gallery.105355/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/oct/19/amazing-world-fungi-tom-may-pictures

https://www.planetfungi.movie/]]> 1