Over the weekend, I discovered a number of previously unseen life forms with my grandson. The biodiversity present in our boggy woods never fails to impress, but this is especially so when you have a child along to point out the weird and wonderful.
After weeks of heavy precipitation, the woods were full of unusual fungi.
Once considered plants, it’s now believed that fungi share more characteristics with life forms in the animal kingdom. While the cell walls of plants consist of cellulose, theirs contain chitin, which is also found in the shells of crustaceans, insects and some molluscs. Unlike plants, which can make their own food through the process of photosynthesis, fungi survive by consuming dead matter.
Despite having a good field guide, I still find it difficult to identify the types of fungi I find in the woods. There seems to be such a variation in color and shape as they age, which complicates the identification process even more.
However, from my grandson’s perspective, it wasn’t necessary to know the names of these fungi in order to marvel at their remarkable appearance. Perhaps Nature is most awesome to those who carry child-like wonder in their pockets instead of field guides.
To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.
~ Lao Tsu
Flandrum Hill 
The pink one looks like it would be found at the bottom of the ocean. Very neat.
Grace, now that you mention it, it does look like some kind of marine creature.
Thank you for the information about fungi being closer to animals than plants. That is very intriguing when one consders the web of life’s connections. Much to be said for a child’s perspective—-especially considering current events. Merci.
47whitebuffalo, I was surprised to find that out too about fungi being closer to animals than plants in some ways. There’s so much we have yet to discover about our interconnectedness.
These organisms have been moved between plants and animals for years and years. For me, they are just cool to find and your grandson did a great job!
Scott, old woods are full of such treasures. In a way it’s comforting that scientists haven’t been able to pigeonhole them yet.
You and your grandson found some beauties, Amy-Lynn. As for categories shifting, I wrote a post about that last year: http://booksinnorthport.blogspot.com/2010/03/entire-world-reorganized-while.html
Fungi would not be protists, however, as they are not motile.
Pamela, if only the scientific community would issue recall notices for obsolete classifications learned in high school biology…
Those are so much fun! I’m glad your grandson has an eye for fungi.
2010 was a wonderful year for mushrooms – I had never seen so many different kinds. Maybe I’m just learning to look. Or unlearning the wrong kind of looking. In either case, my pockets are so full of wonder that I scatter it about me as I walk. It’s OK. I can always find more.
Gerry, I’m noticing more fungi too and also wonder if my sight is improving or if there are other factors at work. Do we come into the world with a finite amount of wonder or does our supply get filled to the brim again whenever we step out into nature?
Oh, I don’t think that we get allocated a *finite* supply of wonder that has to last us throughout our lives. At least, I *hope* not!
I prefer to think that it is replenished every single time we go outside into our garden, or walk around the block, or hike in the woods, or climb in the mountains… nature, animals, plants, landscape, oceans, clouds, everything out there is a perpetual source of wonderment, if we just open our hearts *together with* our eyes and our guidebooks.
Love the pinkish fungi with the pretty edge. Amazing !
Once saw some orange drippy fungus hanging from a tree after a rain.
Marvellous pics Amy-Lynn
Sybil, mmmm orange drippy fungus….