A Tapestry of Granite, Moss and Fungi

There's a special kind of magic that unfolds when you step onto our acreage. It's more than just land; it's a living, breathing canvas painted with ancient granite, vibrant moss, intricate lichen, and a fascinating array of fungi, all shaded by the stately presence of Grey Pines and venerable Oak trees. I thought it would be fun to share our property during the winter months with an abundance of moss and mushrooms.

From the moment you arrive, the land tells a story. Massive granite boulders, sculpted by millennia of wind and water, emerge from the earth like sleeping giants. Each one is a testament to geological time, their rough, unyielding surfaces providing a dramatic contrast to the softness that often surrounds them. We love discovering new ways the light plays on their surfaces, revealing subtle glints and textures throughout the day.

But it’s on these ancient stones, and indeed, across much of our property, that you find nature's intricate artwork: moss and lichen. The moss forms soft, emerald carpets, cushioning the steps and creating miniature landscapes in every crevice. It thrives in the dappled sunlight beneath the canopy, a velvety promise of life. The lichens, in their myriad forms and colors – from crusty grays to vibrant oranges – add another layer of texture, clinging to rocks and tree bark alike. They are slow artists, patiently etching their designs, and we often find ourselves marveling at their complex beauty.

The main difference is that moss is a simple, non-vascular plant with tiny stems and leaves while lichen is a compositive organism resulting from a partnership between fungi and algae.  Mosses absorb water and nutrients directly through their surfaces and have rhizoids for anchoring, growing in damp spots, while lichens form diverse, often crusty or leafy structures, can thrive in drier conditions and get food from their algal partner.

And then there are the mushrooms. Ah, the fungi! Our acreage is a mycological wonderland, especially after a good rain. We've been captivated by the sheer diversity that pops up. We've seen the bright, wavy edges of what we believe to be Hairy Curtain Crust (a type of bracket fungus) decorating fallen logs

Stereum hirsutum - 
The Cap: It has bright yellow-to-orange wavy edges with fuzzy or "hairy" concentric zones of color.
Growth Pattern: It grows in thin, overlapping, fan-shaped brackets (shelves) directly on dead hardwood logs.
The Underside: If you were to flip it over, this mushroom would have a completely smooth surface. It does not have pores (holes) like a Turkey Tail or gills like a typical mushroom.
Texture: It is thin, leathery, and tough.

Stereum hirsutum, commonly known as the Hairy Curtain Crust or False Turkey Tail.

The Orange Shelf Mushrooms (On logs)

This fungus is a wood-decaying species that forms thin, leathery, shelf-like brackets on dead hardwood logs or stumps. Its identification is based on several distinctive features.

The Tiny Orange "Parasols" (On leaf litter)

The small, bright orange mushrooms with very thin, dark stems are likely Marasmius siccus, known as the Orange Pinwheel.

The Gilled Mushrooms (On the ground/buried wood)

The larger mushroom with a tan cap and visible gills underneath  but it shares features with the Deer Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus) or similar gilled species.

among the grass, larger gilled mushrooms, perhaps a Deer Mushroom, stand tall with their classic cap-and-stem elegance

Providing the majestic backdrop to all this natural artistry are the magnificent trees. The stately Grey Pines, with their distinctive bark and fragrant needles, stand as sentinels, filtering the sunlight into soft, ethereal rays. Interspersed with them are the ancient Oak trees, their gnarled branches reaching out like welcoming arms, offering shade and shelter to countless creatures. Their presence lends a timeless quality to the landscape, a sense of deep-rooted heritage.

Our acreage isn't just a place; it’s an experience. It’s a constant invitation to slow down, observe, and appreciate the intricate relationships within nature. From the stoic granite to the fleeting beauty of a mushroom, every element contributes to a unique ecosystem that we are incredibly fortunate to call home. We have a total of 26 acres.

Safety Note: Most of these mushrooms, particularly the shelf fungi and tiny pinwheels, are inedible due to their tough or leathery texture. Never consume any wild mushroom unless you have identified it with 100% certainty alongside a local expert, as many toxic species can look very similar to safe ones.

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About Linda @ Life and Linda

Hello, welcome to LifeandLinda. I am from Northern California. I enjoy blogging, Designing Blogs, Decorating, cooking, entertaining, gardening and clogging. I hope you enjoy your visit.

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