Rhizopus stolonifer – Black Bread Mold

Part of the Phylum Zygomycota, this species is a threadlike mold that is dependent on sugar or starch for its carbon supply. R. stolofiner feeds mainly on soft foods like breads or soft fruits (strawberries, grapes). As the mold matures, it turns black.

Coprinus comatusCommonly called the shaggy ink cap, the lawyer’s wig, or shaggy mane, this fungi, belonging to the Basidiomycota phylum, is a rather common fungus. It is an excellent edible mushroom, if eaten soon after picking. The gills, which are originally white, then pink, turn black right before emitting a black liquid of spores.

Sarcoscypha coccinea

This image portray the fruiting cup of the Sarcoscypha coccinea, a member of the Ascomycota phylum. The fruiting cup of this fungus releases hundreds of millions of spores, usually in visible clouds.

Chytridium

This fungus is a member of the Chytridiomycota phylum. It has a globular fruiting body that forms a multicellular, branched hyphae.

Gigaspora margarita

This fungus, a member of the Glomeromycota phylum, is hypothesized to be distributed around the world. It derives yellow colored spores from the spore cell walls.

Mucor racemosus

A pathogenic fungus. It causes some allergic reactions in humans.

Aleuria aurantia

Commonly called the Orange Peel Fungus. It resembles orange peels strewn on the ground. Though it is edible, it is not described as choice.

Xylaria hypoxylon

This fungus, often called the Candle Snuff fungus, is characterized by elongated black branches with whitened tips. It can cause root rot in hawthorn and gooseberry plants.

Pilobolus crystallinus

This Zygomycete can actually shoot its sporangia toward bright light. It is found particularly in excrement.

Lactarius indigo

This distinctive blue Basidiomycete is commonly known as the indigo milk cap. Though widely distributed, it is natural to North and Central America as well as East Asia. Growing on the floor of forests, a distinctive “milk” flows from it when cut or broken.

Boletus edulis

Commonly known as the Penny bun. Growing in forests and tree plantations, it has a symbiotic relationship with trees, forming fungal sheaths around the tree roots.

Glomus mosseaeThis glomeromycete forms arbuscular mycorrhizae with plant roots. It supplies mineral and other nutrients to the plant. Its hyphae actually push into the plant membrane.

Morchella esculentaThe common morel, as it

is called (or simply morel), is one of the most recognizably edible. It is greatly sought after, and though, in 1982, there was a false hope given that it could be cultivated, commercial attempts to grow it were only minimally successful. It is grown in the wild, under hardwoods.

Lycoperdon pyriforme

Known commonly as the pear-shaped puffball, this basidiomycete is present throughout much of the world. Emerging in autumn, it is commonly found on decaying logs.

Choanephora cucurbitarum

This is a plant pathogen that causes fruit rot, especially in warm weather.