Marvel of nature 2

Another amazing dried leaf, I think this one looks more like eggshell

comments (5)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I doubt very much if I will be able to identify the trees these leaves came from, should I categorise them as unidentified? Posted 11 years ago
1. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  You mean to remove the ID being not relevant? I always struggle with this question. There are many similar cases on the unidentified list.
  Interesting pattern, I wonder if it is caused by fungi. Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    Yes, I think if the photo is just showing nature as opposed to an actual species then perhaps it should be labelled as no species. Just my thought but happy to go with whatever is deemed correct!
    It is interesting the pattern and it may well be some kind of fungus. Oh dear, am I going to start trying to find the culprit??? Posted 11 years ago
  2. 1. WildFlower
      
      Lion
      
      I found it - Coccomyces dentatus. There are other similar species in the genus that grow on different species of plants, so I am not 100% sure if it is the right one. You will probably need to look at them under a microscope to see the difference.
      The other one is probably not the same though. There may be a mixture of species here as well.
      http://mushroomobserver.org/name/show_name/25784?_js=on&_new=true
      http://www.mycodb.fr/fiche.php?genre=Coccomyces&espece=delta
      http://www.ascofrance.com/uploads/forum_file/7752.pdf Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago
    2. 1. Claire Hamilton
        
        Lion
        
        Good grief you are good! I hadn't even started looking yet! I think you are absolutely correct with dentatus. So that solves the problem of species, and it makes for a fascinating one at that. Thank you!!!! Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago

The Coccomyces dentatus

''Coccomyces dentatus'' is a species of fungus in the family Rhytismataceae. A widespread species, particularly in temperate areas, it colonizes the dead fallen leaves of vascular plants, particularly oak and chestnut. The fungus apothecia, which form in the epidermal layer of the leaf host, resemble dark hexagonal spots scattered on a multi-colored mosaic pattern bounded by thin black lines. When mature, the apothecia open by triangular flaps to release spores. The anamorph form of ''C. dentatus''.. more

Info 1 0

Similar species: Rhytismatales

Species identified by WildFlower