"Terana caerulea" is a saprobic crust fungus in the family Phanerochaetaceae. Usually found in warm, damp hardwood forests on the undersides of fallen logs and branches of deciduous trees, this unique fungus has been described as "blue velvet on a stick".
Similar species: Polyporales
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This stunning photo perfectly demonstrates why the cobalt crust (Terana caerulea) is described as “blue velvet on a stick”. Cobalt crust grows on woody substrates, such as the underside of logs, in warm, moist habitats around the world. It’s a saprobic, white rot fungus, meaning that it effectively breaks down plant materials to their base components (i.e., simple sugars, amino acids). It plays a vital role in keeping an ecosystem healthy because it unlocks organic molecules that would otherwise be inaccessible to other species. Additionally, it has potential medicinal benefits and can be used to produce antibiotics that inhibit the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacterium that causes various infections. {Spotted in the Netherlands by JungleDragon user, Paul Dirksen} #JungleDragon #Cobaltcrust #Teranacaerulea
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