Hygrophorus speciosus “Brilliant Wax-cap” Basidiomycota
Blue Mountain National Recreation Area, MT
May 16, 2016
Robert Niese
The wax-caps were once considered to all be members of the genus Hygrophorus, but have recently been divided into several new genera, all of which are still taxonomically debated. This particular species remains in the genus Hygrophorus due to its ectomicorrhizal growth habit. You can find it in drier, east-side forests where larch is abundant.
Some unidentified Basidiomycetes
Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Marin County, CA
December 29, 2015
Robert Niese
Got any suggestions on the IDs?
Xeromphalina campanella “Bell Omphalina” Basidiomycota
Hub Lake Trail, Lolo National Forest, St. Regis, MT
August 16, 2015
Robert Niese
These adorable gregarious fungi are found on rotting coniferous logs in wet forests throughout North America (presumably). These specimens were only just starting to grow, but would likely end up covering the entire wet bottom half of this downed spruce log. Their caps, when fully mature, will measure no more than 2cm across and have a white spore print.
Tremella mesenterica “Witch’s Butter” Basidiomycota
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, MT
October 24, 2015
Robert Niese
The Witch’s Butter complex of species (T. “mesenterica”) are our most common orange, jelly-like fungi in the Pacific Northwest. They are very similar in shape, size and color to Dacrymyces palmatus and microscopic examination is often necessary to distinguish the two normally. As a general rule of thumb however, Tremella mesenterica tends to grow on dead hardwoods, while Dacrymyces tends to grow on conifers. Tremella is an obligate parasite of the crust fungus Peniophora, which can also be a good indicator of species identity for this jelly fungus (the closely related T. aurantia is also an obligate parasite of a rot fungus, but it only grows on conifers). This particular specimen is growing in between the large, ridged bark of a downed Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa).
Gymnosporangium globosum “Cedar-Hawthorn Rust” Basidiomycota
Missoula, MT
October 23, 2015
Robert Niese
I first noticed these strange tendrils on the underside of Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasi) at a city park a couple months ago, but only just got around to photographing them. I thought they might be some sort of aphid galls after noticing that the leaves were covered with the insects. But the truth, it turns out, is far more spectacular! This is actually the fall life-stage of a rust fungus that infects Cedars (and Junipers). The fungus overwinters on Cupressaceous conifers, producing a small gall that grows large, orange gelatinous horns after spring rains. These jelly tentacles release spores that then infect the leaves of Rosaceous trees and shrubs such as Crataegus, Malus, and Sorbus. By late summer, fungi on these Rosaceous hosts produce the large porcupine-like clump of tendrils seen here. These tendrils release more spores that continue the cycle anew! I’m in love. What a phenomenal fungus!
Mushroom, Letharia, and Linnaea
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Mushrooms are those sorts of organisms that are hopeless to identify without taking samples back home to reference later. This little guy was just too perfectly placed for me to have the heart to pick it. Again, late summer in the Larch forests around Seeley Lake has proven to be excellent for mushroom hunting!
Suillus grevillei “Greville’s Suillus Bolete” Basidiomycota
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Here’s another species of bolete in the easily recognizable Suillus genus that grows in the Larch forests around Seeley Lake. Again, this species of Suillus is an ectomycorrhizal symbiont with Larch. (I should note that not all members of this genus are associated with Larch, but when you’re hunting for mushrooms in a Larch forest, you tend to find Larch symbionts). This species, unlike the others I’ve posted so far, has a slimy or viscid cap. This slime is known to cause gastrointestinal problems for those adventurous enough to attempt to eat these fungi, so be sure to remove the outer layer prior to preparation. Unfortunately, Greville’s Bolete is said to have no flavor and a generally mushy consistency when cooked, so I just wouldn’t recommend it.
Suillus cavipes “Hollow-stemmed Suillus Bolete” Basidiomycota
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Here’s another bolete from my late summer mushroom-hunting extravaganza in the Larch forests around Seeley Lake. This species, another easily-recognizable bolete in the genus Suillus, is also an ectomycorrhizal symbiont with larch trees (Larix). This species has a dry, very scaly cap that tends to be dark brown in color. Like other members of this genus, it also has angular pores that appear to radiate from the stipe. The best way to confirm the identification of this species, however, is to cut open its stipe and verify that it’s hollow. Unlike other members of this genus, S. cavipes is far more palatable and has a pleasant earthy taste when dried, but, like other Suillus boletes, tends to be slimy when cooked. Here, S. cavipes is growing among Twin-flower (Linnaea borealis), Canadian Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), Prince’s Pine (Chimaphila umbellata), and, of course, Western Larch (Larix occidentalis).
Suillus ochraceoroseus “Rosy-ochre Suillus Bolete” Basidiomycota
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
I’m only just getting around to identifying the half dozen species of boletes I encountered while camping in Larch forests around Seeley Lake last summer. These fungi are all edible (although not always palatable and often infested with fly larvae) and comparatively easy to ID correctly. This genus is most readily recognized by its angular pores that radiate out from the stipe like cells on a leaf. Nearly all members of this genus are ectomycorrhizal symbionts with conifers here in the PNW. This species in particular is almost always found under Larch trees (Larix) in the late summer and early fall. Its cap is dry and scaly and tends to be rosy in the middle and orange-yellow (ochre) towards the edge. Apparently this species is best when dried, but is not often eaten because of its acrid or bitter taste.
Scleroderma citrinum “Scaly Earthball” Basidiomycota
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Earthballs are relatively common puffball-like fungi that form specialized relationships with the roots of many conifers here in the PNW such as Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine. Recent research suggests that these fungi may help young trees colonize abandoned mining sites that have been contaminated with heavy metals such as copper and arsenic.
Northwest Naturalist 
