What is that? Amazing Biodiversity in Kilteevan

A payback for walking in Kilteevan in wet weather is the fact that you can see extraordinary things in our environment and you can learn something new almost every day. Just open your eyes!  One of the aims of our website is to share paperless information on our rich biodiversity and environment.  We hope you enjoy learning with us in this way.

 Here are three recent finds 

 Wood Ear /Tree Ear Fungus      Auricularia polytricha

 This amazing reddish brown, rubbery, ear shaped or ear like cup-shaped fungus was spotted in Cloonmore on 5^th January 2016. The fungus can be found throughout the year in temperate regions worldwide, where it grows upon both dead and living wood particularly elder.

it is sometimes called Judas/Jew ear. This name  is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree. The common name today seems to be Wood ear, Tree ear, or Jelly ear.

 The importance of this fungus in the Ecosystem

This is one of the many fungus species that live on decaying wood. It and other such fungi play an incredibly important role in breaking down the tough materials in wood and returning those nutrients to the soil.

Most fungi are decomposers, which makes them essential recyclers. They break down dead tissues and return essential nutrients back into ecosystems.

 White Brain Fungus Exidia thuretiana

 This white jelly like gem was spotted near Grove on 8^th January 2016.  This was a real case of …..”what on earth is that? And it took some time to confirm identification. Well, we think it is White brain fungus .  You really need wet weather to find this fungus…… hence this interesting find.  During dry spells it shrivels up almost completely and forms a thin brownish membrane that is easily overlooked.

White Brain fungus Exidia thuertiana occurs throughout Britain and Ireland but is described as a rather an uncommon find so our very wet weather provided a new experience. This jelly fungus can be seen also in many countries on mainland Europe and in northern Africa.

Birch polypore           Piptoporus betulinus,  also commonly known as the birch bracketor razor strop fungus photographed today January 18^th  in Cloonmore.

As the name suggests, grows almost exclusively on birch trees. The brackets burst out from the bark of the tree, and these fruiting bodies can last for more than a year. . The velvety cut surface of the fruiting body was traditionally used as a strop for finishing the finest of edges on razors. It is also used as a knife sharpener especially by those who couldn’t afford leather.  It is also said to have medicinal properties. The fungus can harbour a large number of species of insects that depend on it for food and as breeding sites.

Remember you can share images of your finds with us on [email protected]