Almost Lonesome Myrio

Day 239: My botany partners and I went out on our first field trip of the year yesterday, and although we did not succeed at our primary mission to find a particular plant, we got to visit some old friends. Myriosclerotinia caricis-ampullaceae proved very elusive, and it was Joe who finally called out, "Found one!" It was a small specimen, but as perfect as could be hoped. Evaluating the conditions in the meadow, we were dismayed to find it drier than usual, a factor which certainly had an impact on Myrio's presence, but it was also possible that we had arrived past the fungus' peak fruiting period. Was there only one? Joe's keen eyes eventually brought one more example to light, even smaller than the first. We were unable to check any of the other sites where we have found this rare and elegant fungus.

One Big Happy Myrio Family

Day 255: A run into the Park at this point in terms of snow-melt would not have been complete without a visit to (mumble) to check on Myriosclerotinia caricis-ampullaceae. While I am no longer overly concerned with the health and safety of this rare fungus after having found a super-abundance of it at another location within the Park boundaries, it is nice to see it alive and well at the site where my botany partners and I first found it. We have now mapped at least half a dozen areas where it occurs, some well-populated and others sparse. Knowing that it grows only on a few types of sedge has helped narrow our searches. At this location which we refer to as "Site A" (the only one currently snow-free), I found 40-60 cups on Wednesday. The largest two were approximately 15 mm in diameter.

Tarzetta Cupularis' Return

Day 253: Some of my readers may recall that last year around this time, I found an odd little cup fungus which, with the help of experts, I finally identified as Tarzetta cupularis (Elf Goblet or Grey Goblet). It is rare in Washington and perhaps elsewhere, and in fact is only known from three locations in the state, two of which are in Pierce County: this site where it was found by me in 2020, and Pack Forest where it was found in 1987. The species is rather small, as you can see by comparing it to the fir needles in the photo, and even though I had marked its spot with my GPS, I knew I'd have my work cut out for me trying to find it again this year. I've had my eye on the site for a month now, making passes through as I search for slime molds. Until yesterday, I had had no luck. It's possible I overlooked these two specimens earlier because they were roughly 15 feet from my previous find. That discovery suggests that the mycorrhiza extends at least that far, but a further hands-and-knees search of a 20'-diameter circle failed to yield up any others. Tarzetta cupularis is not known for growing in large clusters, but rather as individuals or low-number groupings. Two is cause for celebration!