#asterophora

[wild-e-eep]

More Asterophora parasitica fruiting bodies - these are newly emerging from between the gills of a dried up old Russula foetens that I took home with me.

[wild-e-eep]

Asterophora parasitica - the silky piggyback fungus - absolutely mobbing some Russula foetens fruiting bodies.

[redhex]

Russula parasite (Asterophora parasitica) on Russula nigricans. This gilled fungus is parasitic upon specimens of Russula and Lactarius, particularly Russula nigricans. Despite living on a mushroom, it's geographic range is limited to that of Quercus species, suggesting it requires compounds from oak trees to be present second-hand within its host fungi. Tilgate Park, 07/09/17 #fungi #parasiticfungus #Asterophoraparasitica #asterophora #foraging #russulanigricans #tilgatepark (at Tilgate Park)

[wild-e-eep]

Asterophora parasitica - silky piggyback mushroom - it’s parasitic on mouldy old russulas.

[wild-e-eep]

The blackening russule - Russula nigricans - is well named for the way it turns black on maturation, eventually degenerating into nondescript brittle black lumps that strongly resemble charcoal. 

It is a very common fungus round these parts and has developed parasitic hangers on - another fungus called the powdery piggyback fungus - Asterophora lycoperdoides - which emerges as little white mushrooms as the russule blackens.

These parasites are unusual in that their caps disintegrate into a brownish, spore bearing powder by a process totally unrelated to the development of spores on their gills.