What is this unusual fungus/mold found in a humidor?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around identifying an unusual fungus found in a humidor, described as having a deep peach color similar to chanterelles and a feathery, cotton candy-like appearance. Participants suggest it may be the mycelium of a mushroom, specifically referencing bracket fungi (Polypores), which thrive on moist wood. Caution is advised against consuming any wild mushrooms without proper identification, as many can be harmful. The consensus is to allow the fungus to grow, as it may develop into a more recognizable form over time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of fungal biology, particularly mycelium and fruiting bodies.
  • Familiarity with mushroom identification and the risks of wild mushroom consumption.
  • Knowledge of bracket fungi (Polypores) and their ecological role.
  • Awareness of spore printing techniques for mushroom identification.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the characteristics and growth patterns of Polypores.
  • Learn about mushroom mycelium and its role in fungal reproduction.
  • Study safe mushroom foraging practices and identification techniques.
  • Explore the process of making spore prints for accurate mushroom identification.
USEFUL FOR

Mycologists, amateur mushroom foragers, and anyone interested in fungal ecology or identifying unusual fungi in their environment will benefit from this discussion.

DaveC426913
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Anyone recognify this fungus/mold?

fungus.jpg

It's under a gallon bucket of water in my humidor (which is not properly ventilated). Those are cedar planks.

It's a deep buttery yellow. I do not think it's slime mold. It's very feathery, like cotton candy, right to the tips.

You can see it here in its full 4000x3000 glory (click to zoom to 100%).

I have yet to find a single example of it anywhere online.
 

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Well, it's pretty, whatever it is
 
DaveC426913 said:
Anyone recognify this fungus/mold?
Yes and no.
I have yet to find a single example of it anywhere online.
It might be where I live, but I see that kind of thing all the time.
But like you, I had trouble finding it online, until I googled: mushroom mycelium
and clicked on "images"

So, I believe it could be anyone of a bazillion of a type of mushroom root system restricted to a 2-D surface.
 
OmCheeto said:
But like you, I had trouble finding it online, until I googled: mushroom mycelium
and clicked on "images"
Yeah, it's definitely that cotton candy-like fungus stuff.

Maybe I should leave it to see what it grows into?

I lied, it's not buttery yellow - it's the deeper peach colour of chanterelles, like this:
s-l300.jpg


Maybe it'll be edible!
 

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DaveC426913 said:
Yeah, it's definitely that cotton candy-like fungus stuff.

Maybe I should leave it to see what it grows into?
Not sure there's enough mushroom food for it to grow, unless you're willing to fill your humidor with dead leaves and dirt.

I lied, it's not buttery yellow - it's the deeper peach colour of chanterelles, like this:
View attachment 237863

Maybe it'll be edible!

I have only once eaten a wild mushroom.
I was told it was harmless.
I was told WRONG!
Never again.
 
That's one interesting mushroom! Wonderful if that will still grow and bloom.
 
Best guess, see pictures: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypore common name bracket fungus. They grow on moist wood, live, dead, or dying.

It'll do fine if you put back the way it was. Most bracket fungi are edible, taste kind of like very well done baked plywood. Chewy to say the least. DO NOT try to eat any of that. I've had graduate courses in Mycology and I would not consider eating it ever. Let it grow. And if it is a bracket you will see one the shelf-like dudes sticking out in about 6 months when it is warm.

The bracket under side has a huge number of tiny holes to allow spores to fall out. Those spores may make more mycelium and eventually some brackets. If every one of those spores made some brackets then most of an area the size of Rhode Island would be knee deep in brackets: "or all the seas with oysters grow"; a very R-selected species like oysters, elm trees, and Polypores, all of them produce huge numbers of propagules, few live to the reproductive stage later on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/K_selection_theory

You can make spore prints of brackets and their mushroom cousins, mushrooms are more interesting, IMHO.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spore_print
 
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jim mcnamara said:
Most bracket fungi are edible, taste kind of like very well done baked plywood.
Jim, if you are back to eating plywood, you need to check the dosage on your meds :-p
 
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Well then, how about fried blanket?

@phinds the cell wall of fungi is made primarily of chitin, the same stuff as insect exoskeleton. Because brackets have very low MC like 30%, they are not a good choice for cooking or chewing after cooking.
Mushrooms (Agaricus campestris) are high MC like 90%+. Almost no chitin.
 
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