Olav's Wood: Other wildlife

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Fungi, Lichens and Mycetozoa in Olav's Wood

Here are some records of fungi, lichens and mycetozoa ("slime molds") in the woods. Thanks to Lee Johnson (LJ) for most of these records.

Shaggy Parasols (Chlorophyllum
rhacodes) among Spruce needles
in Olav's Wood (July 2016)

Fungi

Ascocoryne sarcoides - Purple Jellydisc
Chlorophyllum rhacodes - Shaggy Parasol
Clitocybe gibba - Common Funnel (DR Oct 2025}
Often in circles ('fairy rings') or lines
Cryptomyces maximus - Willow Blister. A globally scarce paleo- and neo-arctic species, with several records for Orkney.
Dacrymyces stillatus - Common Jellyspot
Dasyscyphus sulphureus - A yellow cup fungus on nettle stems (LJ, Sept 2017)
Exidia thuretiana - White Brain Fungus
Exidia recisa - Amber Jelly, found on willow
Lepista nuda - Wood Blewit (DR Oct 2025)
*Macrotyphula fistulosa var contorta - Contorted Pipe Club. A new record for Orkney.
Marasmius sp. (LJ, Sept 2017)
Podosphaera spiraeae - a mildew
Taphrina alni - Alder Tongue Fungus (LJ, 21st Aug 2018)
Formerly rare in UK but becoming common now (from 1990s onwards) [H. Ellis, Cecidology, Vol 16 No. 1].
Puccinia sp. - a rust
Tremella encephala - a parasite on another fungus species
Uromyces dactylidis - Celandine Clustercup Rust (LJ, 5th May 2018)
Xylaria hypoxylon - Candlesnuff Fungus (aka Stag's Horn Fungus)
Common on dead stumps of broad-leafed trees in the woods

Clitocybe gibba Common Funnel in a 'fairy ring'.

Lepista nuda Wood Blewit under trees in the woods.

Exidia recisa Amber Jelly fungus on willow in
in Olav's Wood (LJ, April 2018).

Cryptomyces maximus Willow Blister in Olav's Wood
(LJ, April 2018).
Alder Tongue gall (Taphrina alni) - common
on alders in the woods (LJ, 2018).		 Celandine Clustercup (Uromyces dactylidis) on
the underside of Lesser Celandine leaves
(LJ, 5 May 2018).
Contorted Pipe Club (Macrotyphula fistulosa
var contorta) on the Hestily side of the burn
(LJ, 1st Nov 2017).		 A yellow cup fungus (Dasyscyphus sulphureus) on
rotting nettle stems (LJ, 27th Sept 2017).
Marasmius sp. (LJ, 27th Sept 2017).

Lichens

Lichens are compound organisms consisting of fungi together with algae and/or cynobacteria, living together symbiotically and acting as a single organism. Lichens in Olav's Wood include:

Graphis scripts - Script Lichen
Ramalina sp. - A Strap Lichen

Mycetozoa

Mycetozoa, also called "slime molds", are strange creatures. They have a variety of life-cycles and structures, but all reproduce by spores. In some species, at certain stages of their life-cycle, individual cells congregate to form bodies which can detect food sources and move towards them. Lee Johnson has found several species in Olav's Wood. Photographs below from Lee (click for larger images).

Leocarpus fragilis
Mucilago crustacea
Stemonitis fusca

Stemonitis fusca in Olav's Wood (July 2015)

Leocarpus fragilis in Olav's Wood (July 2015)

Leocarpus fragilis after sporing (July 2015)

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