7 species of mushrooms at Lake Herrick, along with information on microorganisms
Note: All pictures and illustrations on this page are by Gigi Gonsalves
American abrupt-bulbed lepidella, Amanita abrupt
Common in mixed comfier and deciduous forests, these mushrooms' caps (top part above their stems) can grow to a diameter of 4 inches and are covered with small angular or pyramidal erect warts. The one pictured here is relatively young in its lifecycle, as its cap widens and flattens as it matures. They usually appear during autumn and form mycorrhizal relationships with trees (meaning the mushrooms live on the root systems of trees and provide them with increased capability of water and nutrient absorption while the trees provide the mushrooms with carbohydrates they make during photosynthesis).
Common in mixed comfier and deciduous forests, these mushrooms' caps (top part above their stems) can grow to a diameter of 4 inches and are covered with small angular or pyramidal erect warts. The one pictured here is relatively young in its lifecycle, as its cap widens and flattens as it matures. They usually appear during autumn and form mycorrhizal relationships with trees (meaning the mushrooms live on the root systems of trees and provide them with increased capability of water and nutrient absorption while the trees provide the mushrooms with carbohydrates they make during photosynthesis).
Brittlegills, Russula emetica
Distributed throughout North America, Europe, North Africa, northern Asia and Central America, these mushrooms favor damp woodlands and often form mycorrhizal relationships with conifers, especially pine. They grow alone and in troops (clusters), with their caps reaching a diameter of 4 inches at full maturity. Speaking of their caps, the name of the mushrooms comes from the pigment that's responsible for their red color- russularhodin. Over time, they are prone to fade to pink or orange or develop white blotches. Finally, they smell slightly fruity or spicy.
Distributed throughout North America, Europe, North Africa, northern Asia and Central America, these mushrooms favor damp woodlands and often form mycorrhizal relationships with conifers, especially pine. They grow alone and in troops (clusters), with their caps reaching a diameter of 4 inches at full maturity. Speaking of their caps, the name of the mushrooms comes from the pigment that's responsible for their red color- russularhodin. Over time, they are prone to fade to pink or orange or develop white blotches. Finally, they smell slightly fruity or spicy.
False parasol (Green-spored lepiota), Chlorophyllum molybdites
These are relatively large mushrooms, as their caps caps can grow up to 1.3 feet in diameter at full maturity! They commonly grow in grasslands, lawns and parks and can be seen after summer and autumn rains. Their caps are whitish in color with brownish, coarse scales and lack the snakeskin pattern that's common the real parasol mushrooms (hence its name). They tend to grow in troops in a ring formation. Lastly, they are widely distributed across the globe in North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America.
These are relatively large mushrooms, as their caps caps can grow up to 1.3 feet in diameter at full maturity! They commonly grow in grasslands, lawns and parks and can be seen after summer and autumn rains. Their caps are whitish in color with brownish, coarse scales and lack the snakeskin pattern that's common the real parasol mushrooms (hence its name). They tend to grow in troops in a ring formation. Lastly, they are widely distributed across the globe in North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America.
Crown coral (Candelabra coral), Artomyces pyxidatus
Distributed in North America, Europe, northern Asia and Central America, this fungus can grow up to 4 inches in diameter and is commonly found on logs and fallen trunks in woodland areas. They are easy to identify, as they are a nice white to yellowish color, have a lot of "crowns" and resemble coral in the ocean. Interestingly, a type of coral fungus was named mushroom of the year in 2015 by the German Society of Mycology with the hopes of drawing attention to the loss of natural habits and the depletion of forests (since there had been an increasing use of dead wood for fires, and coral fungus only grows on dead wood).
Distributed in North America, Europe, northern Asia and Central America, this fungus can grow up to 4 inches in diameter and is commonly found on logs and fallen trunks in woodland areas. They are easy to identify, as they are a nice white to yellowish color, have a lot of "crowns" and resemble coral in the ocean. Interestingly, a type of coral fungus was named mushroom of the year in 2015 by the German Society of Mycology with the hopes of drawing attention to the loss of natural habits and the depletion of forests (since there had been an increasing use of dead wood for fires, and coral fungus only grows on dead wood).
For more mushrooms, click on the button below (as not all mushrooms could be included on this page).
Microorganisms
Microbes (microorganisms)
These are tiny living things that we can't see with our naked eye. In other words, we'd need a microscope to see them. In fact, they are so small that they are single-celled organisms, meaning that they only have one cell (while we have trillions). They exist in soils, water and the air. Some make us sick, and some keep us healthy. They include bacteria, viruses, archaea, protozoa, algae, fungi and helminths. To see a complete list with illustrations of these different types of microbes commonly found in bodies of water, click the button below!
These are tiny living things that we can't see with our naked eye. In other words, we'd need a microscope to see them. In fact, they are so small that they are single-celled organisms, meaning that they only have one cell (while we have trillions). They exist in soils, water and the air. Some make us sick, and some keep us healthy. They include bacteria, viruses, archaea, protozoa, algae, fungi and helminths. To see a complete list with illustrations of these different types of microbes commonly found in bodies of water, click the button below!
Blue green algae (Microcystis)
This type of cyanobacteria has been a problem at Lake Herrick in the past. They tend to "bloom," or reproduce in large quantities in a short period of time, causing blue green algal blooms that turn waters a murky, slimy green and can cause eutrophication (when too many plants are in the water and are taking away all the oxygen from aquatic animals like fish). Lake Herrick has experience three blue green algal blooms; one in the summer of 2002, one in the winter of 2005 and one in the winter of 2015. Click on the button below to learn more about this interesting bacteria, its relationship to Lake Herrick, and how blue green algal blooms are being controlled at the lake.
This type of cyanobacteria has been a problem at Lake Herrick in the past. They tend to "bloom," or reproduce in large quantities in a short period of time, causing blue green algal blooms that turn waters a murky, slimy green and can cause eutrophication (when too many plants are in the water and are taking away all the oxygen from aquatic animals like fish). Lake Herrick has experience three blue green algal blooms; one in the summer of 2002, one in the winter of 2005 and one in the winter of 2015. Click on the button below to learn more about this interesting bacteria, its relationship to Lake Herrick, and how blue green algal blooms are being controlled at the lake.