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Wildlife and Other Sightings: Sulphur Shelf Fungus

July 26, 2012 Posted by: AH - Mather District Interpretive Ranger
Sulphur Shelf Fungus

Laetiporus gilbertsonii

Up close image of sulphur shelf fungus growing on a tree     Sulphur Shelf Fungus growing up a charred tree stump

July 19, 2012
Trail from White Wolf to Harden Lake

This charred red fir stump in the recently burned area near Harden Lake was oozing with Sulfur Shelf Fungus. These bright yellow/orange polypore mushrooms are fairly common throughout certain parts of Yosemite since the fungus body, growing within the wood of a variety of tree species, requires little moisture in order to fruit. This particular clustering was saturated with water after some rain earlier in the day. This is one of the showier fungi participating in the backcountry recycling program that will help convert this charred stump back into forest nutrients and new forms of life.

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