Scutellinia Scutellata, Molly Eye-Winker

Day 250: Given that the largest specimen of Scutellinia scutellata in this grouping was a mere 4 mm in diameter, it's a wonder that I noticed it on a log twenty feet away and at the 3 o'clock position to the way I was facing. Yep, these little guys were literally in the corner of my vision. There were more, possibly a dozen in all, spaced out in small groups over six feet, and as my mind registered them, the thought passed through, "That's too big to be chiggers," although at first, that was what the colour suggested to me. "Molly Eye-Winkers!" I said aloud to the forest in general, recognizing them as I got closer, and even before I could see their distinctive "eyelashes." Molly is a fungus, not particularly common, but also not too particular about her substrate. I've found her attached to both wood and rock, apparently anchored to the latter via a layer of grit and dust. What she does demand is a moist environment to keep her complexion fresh and bright, and she doesn't care for a lot of sun. Always a favourite, if you see her, give her a wink from me.

Scutellinia Scutellata, Eye-Winker

Day 283: "Molly Eye-Winker." Isn't that the most charming name you can imagine for a fungus with eyelashes? According to my sources, Scutellinia scutellata isn't uncommon, but I had never seen it until a year or two ago during a Team Biota foray, and not again since that time until I found it on the Packwood Lake trail. There were several dozen of them, as a matter of fact, growing on the end of a decaying log. These were the most developed, although they haven't opened out sufficiently to display the eyelash effect to best advantage. The next time you see little orange dots on rock or rotting wood, bend over and take a closer look. Molly may be flirting with you!

A Fungus With Eyelashes

Day 252: When I find a species which baffles me, I will refer it out to an expert for help, but my personal quest for its identity doesn't stop there. I continue searching, and in this case, I was able to identify Scutellinia scutellata before Katherine Glew could write back to me to say that it wasn't a lichen. You could have fooled me. In fact, it did fool me, and that's why I sent the photos off to her. She's a lichenologist. The problem is, Scutellinia scutellata isn't a lichen at all. It's a fungus...a fungus with eyelashes.

According to several references, it's not uncommon in the Pacific Northwest. It is a subalpine species, and erupts in the spring. It first appears as tiny round "buttons" which, as they mature, open out into flattish orange disks with golden-brown "eyelashes" around their rims. The backs of the disks show a sparse population of short, stiff hairs. Various field markers allow it to be distinguished from other members of the genus: eyelash length, substrate and when viewed under the microscope, spore characteristics. The largest specimen shown in this grouping had a diameter of 6 mm., but they can be as large as 10 mm. Commonly referred to under the uninspired designation "Eyelash Cup," it is also known by the charming name of "Molly Eye-Winker."