Turquoise Elfcup - Chlorociboria aeruginosa

Chlorociboria aeruginosa is often confused with Chlorociboria aeruginascens. But, Chlorociboria aeruginosa tends to be a little smaller and have a centrally attached stipe rather than a laterally attached stipe.

These were more green than blue, but were only about 2 mm wide and had centrally attached stipes.

Habitat: Rotting wood; deciduous forest

comments (8)

Alexander Hassmueller

Lion

Great photo of an interesting little fungus. The color is nice!
„The fungus gets its color from the pigment xylindein, which is found both in the fruiting bodies and in the mycelium. The dye remains in the wood even after it dies. Therefore one speaks here of a "green rot", but it is only a color variant of the white rot. The greenish-blue wood was used for inlay work during the Renaissance period. The pigment, xylindein, is fairly lightfast in wood.” Wikipedia
I red that the fungus is now cultivated to extract certain substances used in wood processing. Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, thanks! Artists still collect and covet this wood to use in projects. I find it frequently, but it is quite rare in other areas.
  
  Posted 2 years ago
2. 1. Alexander Hassmueller
    
    Lion
    
    Wow thats cool, never saw it before. Thanks for sharing Christine! Posted 2 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      You're welcome! I often find meter-long sections of logs that are blue. It's really spectactular. Posted 2 years ago
    2. 1. Alexander Hassmueller
        
        Lion
        
        It seems that the process of rotting through the fungus doesn’t destroy the structure of the wood. Otherwise it would not be usable anymore. A „normal“ rotting process would finally lead to a pulverization. Posted 2 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Good point that I never considered! The blue wood remains pretty hard. Not like living wood, of course, but strong enough so that I usually need to use my knife to pry off pieces of the blue wood. It's not rotten/soft enough to pull off by hand. Posted 2 years ago

Calbost Niel

Lion

Any Irish person would be proud of it Posted 2 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  To be sure ;) Posted 2 years ago

The Turquoise Elfcup

Chlorciboria aeruginosa is one of just two species recorded in the genus Chlorociboria, the other being Chlorociboria aeruginascens. Both result in green staining of timber.

Info 18 0

Similar species: Helotiales

Species identified by Christine Young