Fungus Fact Friday

Tagged: asco

Candida albicans yeast and hyphae 0

Fungus Fact

#162: Candida albicans

In opportunistic fungal infections (FFF#161), fungi behave as they normally do, without drastically changing their cell structure or physiology. On the other hand, true fungal pathogens of animals can grow as both yeasts and hyphae. The fungus Candida albicans is somewhere in between these two groups. It normally inhabits healthy skin but can cause infection in people with a weakened immune system. In fact, it is one of the most virulent opportunistic pathogens. However, C. albicans can grow both as a yeast and as hyphae, making it morphologically more similar to true pathogenic fungi. C. albicans causes some of the most common fungal diseases, including: thrush, “yeast infections,” and invasive candidiasis.

Aspergillus sp. conidia 1

Fungus Fact

#161: Opportunistic Fungal Infections

This October, I will be discussing human fungal infections. Although fungi can be extremely problematic for certain species of animals and plants, fungi cause humans relatively few problems. There are roughly 300 species of fungi that cause disease in humans, but the most common ones cause nuisance infections of the skin. About 20-25% of the global population has a fungal skin infection like ringworm, athlete’s foot, and similar diseases. Although annoying, these infections are not very severe. There are a few fungi that cause more severe diseases, but these are much less common. The most dangerous type of fungal infections are the opportunistic infections. These are caused by normally benign fungi that take advantage of unusual conditions, such as when a patient has a weakened immune system.

Hypomyces chrysospermus 2

Fungus Fact

#158: Hypomyces chrysospermus, the Bolete Eater

Occasionally, you encounter something that has the stature and shape of a bolete but is completely smooth underneath its cap. “What can this be?” you ask. “No crust fungi are this fleshy or have such a well-defined cap and stem.” It turns out that you did find a bolete, only it is being parasitized by another fungus! Hypomyces chrysospermus is a common parasite of all kinds of boletes. It forms a crust that often completely engulfs its host. The “Bolete Eater,” “Bolete Mold,” or “Golden Hypomyces” is easy to identify, thanks to its preference for boletes and its white to yellow color scheme.

#155: Microglossum viride, the Green Earth Tongue 0

Fungus Fact

#155: Microglossum viride, the Green Earth Tongue

This is probably one of the most difficult fungi to find in North America. It is not a common mushroom, but its occurrence may be underreported thanks to its small size and green colors.  These traits mean that Microglossum viride is particularly adept at blending in with its mossy surroundings.  However, its unmistakably green coloration means it is very easy to identify the “Green Earth Tongue” once you have found it.

#148: Cladonia cristatella, British Soldier Lichen 1

Fungus Fact

#148: Cladonia cristatella, British Soldier Lichen

The lichen Cladonia cristatella is easy to identify thanks to the bulging, bright red cap that is supported by a thin, pale green stalk. The lichen earned its common name “British Soldier Lichen” because its bright red color seemed reminiscent of the uniforms worn by the British during the American Revolutionary War.  cristatella is a common lichen of northeastern North America, but it can be found in many places east of the Great Plains.  This lichen is not very well anchored to its substrate, so it prefers to grow in places that are protected from the elements.  Look for it on the forest floor, dead wood, the bases of trees, and mossy areas.  I have found it growing on rocks, but only in crevices where it is protected from the wind.

#140: Morchella angusticeps, the Black Morel of Eastern North America [Archived] 2

Archived

#140: Morchella angusticeps, the Black Morel of Eastern North America [Archived]

Note: This is an archived post.  You can read the current version of this post here. Black morels can be distinguished from yellow morels by their dark ridges and light pits. Other morels have light ridges with darker (or only slightly darker) pits.  Morchella angusticeps is the most widespread black morel in North America.  It can be found almost anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains, although it is not as common as yellow morels.

#139: Disciotis venosa, the Bleach Cup 1

Fungus Fact

#139: Disciotis venosa, the Bleach Cup

This medium-sized to large cup fungus is distinguished by the prominent vein-like wrinkles on its upper surface.  Although it resembles any number of other brown cup fungi, it belongs to the family Morchellaceae and is actually a close relative of true morels!  This similarity is borne out through microscopic examination, which may be required for accurate identification.  Disciotis venosa is commonly known as the “Bleach Cup,” since it gives off a bleach-like odor when broken, and as the “Veined Cup Fungus,” thanks to its veined upper surface.

#138: Gyromitra esculenta, a False Morel 0

Fungus Fact

#138: Gyromitra esculenta, a False Morel

This is one of the most common false morels. Anyone hunting morels should be familiar with false morels, since they appear at the same time and are potentially deadly.  Gyromitra esculenta can be distinguished from other false morels by its brain-like texture, reddish-brown color, and relatively thin stem.  Most people just call esculenta a “false morel,” but it has some other common names, including: “Brain Mushroom,” “Beefsteak Morel,” “Lorchel,” and “Turban Fungus” (the last name is used in Europe).

#137: Sarcoscypha dudleyi, S. austriaca, and S. coccinea, the Scarlet Cups 2

Fungus Fact

#137: Sarcoscypha dudleyi, S. austriaca, and S. coccinea, the Scarlet Cups

These medium-sized cup fungi are bright red, making them easy to spot against the brown colors of the forest floor. Sarcoscypha dudleyi, austriaca, and S. coccinea are all found in the spring during morel season, so make sure to check for morels when you find a Scarlet Cup!  These three species are indistinguishable from one another to the naked eye.  In order to definitively identify your mushroom, you will have to use a microscope.

#135: Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Ash Dieback Disease 1

Fungus Fact

#135: Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Ash Dieback Disease

This emerging fungal disease of ash trees was first reported in 1992 in Poland. Over the past 24 years, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has spread throughout Europe and (with the help of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle) is now poised to eradicate ash trees from the entire continent.