Phlebia Radiata

Day 111: As so often happens when I am searching for interesting details about species, I went down a rabbit-hole populated with decomposers and emerged richer for the experience. I now know way more about lignins and how they break down than I will ever need to apply in my daily life, and rather than go into peroxidases and protoporphyrins, I'll just tell you that certain fungi such as Phlebia radiata (aka White-rot) produce enzymes which are important in the carbon cycle because they make lignins break down faster. This process not only releases CO2 into the atmosphere, it liberates nutrients into the soil. Don't underestimate your friendly neighbourhood fungus. Fungi are a vital component in more ecosystems than you can imagine or, as I am wont to say at times, "Fungus is at the root of almost everything."

I can't resist giving another linguistic sidebar here because this one should be relatively obvious. "Radiata" should suggest "radiating," which this fungus does from a central point of attachment. The person who draws your blood for lab work is called a "phlebotomist." "Phleb-" as a suffix refers to veins.

Phlebia Radiata, Wrinkled Crust

Day 156: The crusts are a unique group of fungi which adhere closely to their substrate. They may appear on living or dead wood, and if a piece of tissue can be lifted, the underside can be observed to be without the pores noticeable in shelf fungi. The lower surface may be smooth, wrinkled or pimpled, and the upper surface may exhibit radiating folds and/or wart-like tubercles (both are present in this photo to some degree). Fairly common in the Pacific Northwest, Phlebia radiata (commonly known as Wrinked Crust or Radiating Phlebia) contributes to the overall ecology by facilitating the decomposition of wood. It largely affects hardwoods, but occasionally is found on conifers.