by Leigh Macmillen Hayes
Fungi (fun’-ji or fun’-gi) are the most dominant decomposers of our ecosystem in Maine. Without them, we would suffocate in a pile of dead and dying biological matter that wouldn’t decay–Think mountains upon mountains of wood, leaves, roots, animal carcasses and other biological matter. Thankfully woody and other forms of fungi literally reduce this matter into soil nutrients that living organisms can use again. Recycling at its best.

I think all woody fungi is fun to locate and examine, but some even more than others. So check out these examples that were found in the Lakes Regions of Maine.

Night Light (Panellus stipticus) Yes, it’s a bioluminescent species. You’ll never be lost in the woods again if you locate this. Well, maybe that’s not quite true. It’s green glow is rather faint and only produced by the gills (which are not green, but light brown instead). The tan to pale brown mushroom features semi-circular to kidney-shaped caps in large clusters.

Orange Tree Brain (Dacromyces palmatus) If you’ve seen bright orange jelly on trees, then chances are you’ve seen this one. Its lobed gelatinous mass does look like a brain, don’t you think? You’ll find Orange Tree Brain on conifers like this example on a hemlock.

Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria longipes) Though you can’t see the wood buried under the moss and wintergreen, it’s there and the Dead Man’s Fingers is growing off of it. In the fall/winter, it’s club shaped and pimply.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) We may have Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Peru, Paris and other such town names in Maine, but we don’t have a Serengeti. Despite that, we do have the Lion’s Mane mushroom, which features a large clump of teeth that look rather spine-like. This species is also known as Bearded Tooth and Pom Pom. It’s not common, so finding one is always a treat.
(photo credit: Leigh Macmillen Hayes)
It’s also a treat to own lakefront property on Thompson Lake in Casco, Maine.
To learn more about lakefront properties for sale on Thompson Lake, click on the green box above.
To learn more about Casco and the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Thompson Lake, Casco, Maine – Big, Brawny, Clean Water, Great Fishing… and Solitude
Consider Lakefront Property Near the Charming Village of Casco, Maine