The world of fungi and lichen species is diverse, and even beautiful in their own right. Neither plant or animal, these organisms don't fit into the usual gardening sections; but with so many types of fungus and lichen out there, they shouldn't be overlooked. The following articles include information on various types of lichen and fungus species that you may find helpful as well as interesting.
Are mushrooms good for the environment? Mushrooms and fungi have a place in the ecosystem and many types have important benefits. Learn more here.
Are wood ear mushrooms edible? These are synonymous with jelly ear mushroom, an edible fungus in the genus Auricularia. The wood ear jelly mushroom is a gill-less cap variety with a rich flavor. Click this article for more information.
Mushrooms can be a nuisance growing in lawns and flower beds. While troublesome, most mushroom populations can be easily removed or managed. One mushroom, called the ‘deer mushroom,’ is frequently found in rural yard spaces. Learn more about it here.
Those of us with a fascination for the odd and unusual, will love bleeding tooth fungus. It has a weird appearance straight out of a horror movie, as well as some potential medical uses. Learn more about this interesting fungus by clicking the following article.
You may not know yet what it is, but you have probably seen usnea lichen growing on trees. Although not related, it resembles Spanish moss, hanging in thin threads from tree branches. To better understand this fascinating lichen, check out this article.
Many fungal species use hyphae to form larger structures in your garden or yard. Even mushrooms consist of many hyphae closely packed together. We've all seen mushrooms, but what about another fungal structure, the rhizomorph? Learn more here.
There's a giant in the forest that is wreaking havoc on entire tree groves and its name is honey fungus. What is honey fungus and what do honey mushrooms look like? The following article contains additional information.
Fungi, along with some types of bacteria, belong to a group of organisms called saprophytes. These organisms play an important role in their ecosystem, making it possible for plants to thrive. Find out more about saprophytes in this article.
Many people refer to Indian pipe as a fungus, but it is not a fungus at all - it just looks like one. It is actually a flowering plant and member of the blueberry family. This article has more Indian pipe information.
What is earthstar fungus? This interesting fungus consists of a central puffball that sits on a platform with four to ten plump, pointed "arms" that give the fungus a star-shaped appearance. Click here for more earthstar plant info.
The bearded tooth mushroom, also known as lion's mane, is a culinary delight. You can occasionally find it growing in shady forests, and it's easy to cultivate at home. Read this article to find out more about this tasty fungal treat.
Mycorrhizal fungi and plants have a mutually beneficial relationship. In this article, we?ll take a look at how these ?good fungi? help your plants grow stronger. Click here to learn more about mycorrhizal activity in the soil.
For years, the group of organisms called fungi was lumped together with bacteria and other tiny plants without roots, stems, leaves or chlorophyll. It is now known that fungi are in a class all to themselves. So what are fungi? Find out in this article.
Bird's nest fungi in gardens look just like the avian habitats for which they are named. What is bird's nest fungus and is it a threat to the garden? Read this article to get more information. Click here.
Nature produces amazing things, like the lichens. These symbiotic life forms are an unusual visitor to the garden, but are they dangerous? Find out in this article and get more information about tar jelly lichen.
You may have seen artillery fungus and not even know it. The fungus resembles scaly dirt or mud spots. So what causes artillery fungus? Find out in this article and learn how to get rid of artillery fungus, including how to prevent the spotting on your property.
If you have black, club-shaped mushrooms at or near the base of a tree, you may have dead man's finger fungus. This fungus may indicate a serious condition that needs your attention. Read this article for dead man's finger facts and tips for handling the problem.
What's that smell, and what are those odd-looking red-orange things in the garden? If it smells like putrid rotting meat, you?re probably dealing with stinkhorn mushrooms. Read this article for more info.
In many areas, jelly-like fungi seem to appear out of nowhere when moisture is abundant, sending home gardeners scrambling for answers. So what is this? Read here to get jelly-like fungi info.
If you?ve ever come across a fungus reminiscent of an orange looking cup, then it?s likely orange fairy cup fungus, also known as orange peel fungus. So what is orange peel fungus? Read here to learn more.
That foamy frothy stuff in your garden that resembles the contents of a dog's stomach is slime mold. What is slime mold? Good question, as it is not really a mold or a fungus. Find out what it really is here.
Tree bracket fungus is the fruiting body of certain fungi that attack the wood of living trees. Seeing them on your tree may be disturbing, so having some tree bracket info on hand can help. Learn more here.
Mushrooms are sometimes an annoyance, yet their presence in the lawn and garden greatly improve the quality of soil. But how does one distinguish between various types of mushrooms? Find out here.
Lichens on trees area unique and harmless but some may consider them unsightly. Take a look in this article to learn what lichen on tree bark are and what the treatment for tree lichen is.
