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Mushroom infected with the Bolete Eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus) In its early stages of growth, the mold forms a smooth layer of white mycelium over the mushroom and has a powdery texture.<br /> <br /> The drops of liquid dripping from the pores are called guttation fluid. It consists of mainly water and is a by-product of rapid fungal growth. This liquid will evaporate if the infection is growing slowly, but when it grows quickly, the production of water exceeds the rate of evaporation.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Growing in wood chips near the edge of a mixed forest Bolete eater,Geotagged,Hypomyces,Hypomyces chrysospermus,Parasitic Fungus,Summer,United States,fungus,guttation,mushroom Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Mushroom infected with the Bolete Eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus)

In its early stages of growth, the mold forms a smooth layer of white mycelium over the mushroom and has a powdery texture.

The drops of liquid dripping from the pores are called guttation fluid. It consists of mainly water and is a by-product of rapid fungal growth. This liquid will evaporate if the infection is growing slowly, but when it grows quickly, the production of water exceeds the rate of evaporation.

Habitat: Growing in wood chips near the edge of a mixed forest

    comments (2)

  1. View morpheme's profile
    morpheme
    Lion
    View Lion class
    That's wild. When we have a warm fall out here we get a lot of mushrooms that get Hypomyces infections - boletes get it really bad, but I've never seen one weep like that. Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Ahhh. Your bolete comment made me realize that this looks more like a Hypomyces chrysospermus infection. There were some funky Amanitas nearby, but there were also boletes. I just assumed this was a gilled mushroom, but didn't actually check. It's just like this one, though:
      Bolete Eater - Hypomyces chrysospermus This mushroom is completely infected with Hypomyces chrysospermus. In its early stages of growth, the mold forms a smooth layer of white mycelium over the mushroom and has a powdery texture. <br /> <br /> The drops of liquid dripping from the pores are called guttation fluid. It consists of mainly water and is a by-product of rapid fungal growth. This liquid will evaporate if the infection is growing slowly, but when it grows quickly, the production of water exceeds the rate of evaporation. The guttation fluid also contains nutrients, which is probably why there are tiny insects in the fluid - they are seeking the liquid and/or the nutrients. <br /> <br /> Habitat: Spotted in a mixed forest with lots of oak and pine.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/66824/bolete_eater_-_hypomyces_chrysospermus.html<br /> Bolete eater,Geotagged,Hypomyces chrysospermus,Summer,United States,fungus,mushroom
       Posted 4 years ago

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The Bolete eater

The bolete eater, "Hypomyces chrysospermus", is a parasitic ascomycete fungus that grows on bolete mushrooms, turning the afflicted host a whitish, golden yellow, or tan color. It is found in Eurasia and North America, as well as southwest Western Australia. Unlike the related Lobster mushroom, "H. lactifluorum", the bolete eater and its afflicted host mushrooms are inedible.

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Similar species: Hypocreales
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Aug 26, 2021. Captured Aug 26, 2021 09:05 in 281 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 40,038 9,661 8
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • f/2.8
  • 1/197s
  • ISO640
  • 100mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.

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