Showing posts with label Tamalpias. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tamalpias. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Hygrocybe cantharellus

There are numerous Waxy Caps, and they are very hard to tell apart. But I think this one is Hygrocybe cantharellus or Hydrocybe miniata. Note the gills match the cantharellus description, but like so many mushrooms, the features vary and can be grade into each other. 


Hygrocybe cantharellus, 8/29/10

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Local Jewel Flower Species

Strepanthus niger, Henry Coe, 5/3/10
The local jewel flowers are quite small, but very beautiful little flowers, and are pretty rare. They favor south west facing serpentine outcrops on the peaks around the bay area, and are often found with other small white flowers (that I have not identified yet) with the same habits. Each peak seems to have its own version of Strepanthus.

Henry Coe has a serpentine outcrop that I went to investigate this spring. I sat cross-legged amidst some small flowers on the out crop, and this guy was right at my feet. Note how the flowers are smooth.

Strepanthus niger, Henry Coe, 5/3/10




A couple weeks later on Mt Diablo, I came across this version. It is quite furry and was growing in something other than serpentine, but with the same characteristics.

Strepanthus hispidus, Mt Diablo, 5/22/10




This one was on Mt Tam, not quite as hairy as the one from Henry Coe, but in the same habitat coincident with the same white flowers. The coincident plant is much easier to see, so if looking for jewel flowers on serpentine, look for it first.
Streptanthus glandulosus ssp. pulchellus, Mt Tam, 5/31/10