Black Fungus

Perithecia of a Rosellinia sp fungus growing on a decaying branch from a birch tree (Betula sp).

I took the following specimen

It yielded these spores (magnification x600, field width 86um):

These are about 21 x 7um which matches the quoted sizes for several of the commonest Rosellinia species in the UK, such as R. aquila (18-22 x 6-8um) and R. mammiformis (17-21 x 6-7um).

I used a razor blade to cut open some of the perithecia.  One of them was filled with milky water and was lined with asci (magnification x60, field width about 860um, reflected light):

In the following close-up you can make out the developing spores in the asci (magnification x150, field width about 344um, reflected light):

First photo and specimen taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2014-02-02.

Hazel Flowers

A flower of the hazel tree (Corylus avellana).  These are like tiny buds.  For the male seed heads (catkins) see here.

I took the following specimen home with me:

First photo and specimen taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2014-02-01.

Mushrooms

From late summer 2008: what I think is an Amanita echinicephala.  This specimen is well open.

And this one is still closed.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK on 2008-08-28.