Creature 203: Omphalotus olearius

It must taste really good

Description
Omphalotus olearius is a fungus which is sometimes known as the Jack O'Lantern mushroom.

It is often mistaken for members of the genus Cantharellus. Unlike Cantharellus the Jack O'Lantern mushroom is toxic to humans. While it will not kill you it will make you vomit and give you diarrhea and severe stomach cramps. If you turn the light off and look at them, you might think twice about eating them.

That's right, they glow in the dark. When things glow in dark and are poisonous that's usually enough to discourage me from eating them. However these mushrooms apparently smell and taste so good that even people who have been poisoned by them in the past find them appealing.

Distribution:
Omphalotus olearius is endemic to Europe.

Classification:

Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Marasmiaceae
Genus:Omphalotus
Species: Omphalotus olearius

Image Links:

http://expressdebanat.ro/padurea-plina-de-ciuperci-dar-atentie-la-cele-otravitoare-afla-aici-cum-le-poti-deosebi/omphalotus-olearius/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omphalotus_olearius

Creature 9: Hydnellum peckii

A weird looking fungus

Description:
Today's creature is just a simple weird looking fungus Hydnellum peckii.

Commonly called Bleeding tooth fungus, and many other names I have never if you check out wikipedia's entry. Striking as it may be while its fruiting body is growing, it becomes a plain brown color when it is mature.

Distribution: 
Hydnellum peckii is common in North America and Europe.


Classification:
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Acarimomycetes
Order: Thelephorales
Family: Bankeraceae
Genus: Hydnellum
Species Hydnellum peckii


Image Links:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hydnellum_peckii#mediaviewer/File:Hydnellum_peckii2.jpg
http://www.medioambiente.org/2012/09/la-muela-del-diablo-un-hongo-que-sangra.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hydnellum_peckii#mediaviewer/File:Hydnellum_peckii_01.JPG