Candlesnuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon?)

Candlesnuff Fungus on a log in Admiralty Park

Photo Credits: Amelia Lim

Scientific Name: Xylaria hypoxylon
Common Name: Candlesnuff Fungus, Candlestick Fungus

The Candlesnuff Fungus can be recognized by the elongated blackened branches with white tips that typically grow in clusters on rotting logs.

The Candlesnuff Fungus is not considered as edible. Although not known to be poisonous, the small size and tough texture deters consumptions.

Yellow Earthballs (scleroderma sinnamariense)

Yellow Earthballs in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Photo Credits: Amelia Lim

Scientific Name: Scleroderma sinnamariense

Common Name: Yellow Earthball, Egg yolk puff

Tough puffballs with greyish-black interiors are sometimes called earthballs to differentiate them from softer puffballs. Distributed throughout the world, various species are used as ectomycorrhizal species to promote growth of tree seedlings.

Mature Yellow Earthball in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

The peridium (outer wall), which may be smooth or warted, is very thick and tough. At maturity it splits irregularly over the upper part to reveal the dark gleba underneath.

Earthballs are not known to be edible.

Tropical Cinnabar Bracket Fungus (Pycnoporus sanguineus)

Scientific Name: Pycnoporus sanguineus
Common Name: Tropical Cinnabar Bracket Fungus

Related links: LSM4254 Taxonomy page

Tropical Milk Cap (Lactifuus sp.)

Tropical Milk cap from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Photo Credits: Amelia Lim

Scientific Name: Lactifuus sp.
Common Name: Tropical Milk Cap

Milk cap is a common name for fungi from Lactifuus, Lactaria and Multifurca species, and can be distinguished from other mushrooms by the white latex 'milk' produced from the gills when dropped or bruised.

White Latex 'milk' under cap when bruised

Lactifuus are generally found in the tropics as well as in Australia and New Zealand.

Snow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

White Jelly Fungus on a log

Photo Credits: Shawn A. Tan

Scientific Name: Tremella fuciformis

Common Name: Snow Fungus, White Jelly Fungus, White fungus, Snow Ear, Silver Ear Fungus

As its name suggests, the snow Fungus is a white jelly like fungus that can often be spotted growing on dead wood. It is wide spread in the tropics, and is a popular fungus to cultivate and sell. The Snow fungus is commonly used in dishes and in Chinese Medicine and even in some cosmetic products in China and Japan.

Dried Snow Fungus sold in Medicinal and dried goods Shops

Snow fungus dessert

Snow Fungus with wolfberry drink by Nutriwell

WARNING: ALTHOUGH IT IS CLASSIFIED AS EDIBLE, FUNGI MAY ABSORB TOXINS AND POLLUTION FROM THE ENVIRONMENT OR RESEMBLE CLOSELY TO POISONOUS SPECIES , AND THUS SHOULD NOT TO BE EATEN UNLESS 100% SURE IT IS SAFE.

Carnival Candy Slime Mold (Arcyria denudata)

Cotton Candy Slime mould fruiting bodies in Windsor Park

Photo credits: Amelia Lim

Scientific Name: Arcyria denudata
Common name: Carnival Candy Slime Mold, Cotton candy Slime mould

Although once classified as a fungi, slime molds (phylum Myxomycetes) are no longer considered as true fungi.

Although they can be easily identified by their iconic pinkish-red colour and fruiting bodies that resemble cotton candy when mature, it spends most of its life as single cells or as a boring white slime (plasmodium stage). As long as food is abundant, these slime molds exist as single-celled organisms, but when food is in short supply, many of these single-celled organisms will congregate and start moving as a single body in the form of a slime. It is sensitive to the environment in the slime stage.

The slime mold is able to move about only in the plasmodium place, moving to suitable spots before maturing. In fact, Slime molds have been known to be very intelligent, navigating mazes accurately despite the lack of a brain.

Commonly found on injured trees and decaying wood, the Carnival Candy slime mold feed on the bacteria, yeast and other fungi that are commonly found in dead plant matter. They help to contribute to the decomposition of dead vegetation.

Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria sp.)

Dead Man's Fingers taken from a log at Windsor Park (venus loop)

Photo Credits: Amelia Lim

Scientific name:Xylaria sp.

Common name: Dead Man's Fingers

Although a common inhabitant of the forest floor, the dead man's fingers is not commonly seen in Singapore. The dead man's fingers is usually spotted growing on decaying wood and logs. It can be identified by elongated upright stromata resembling fingers.

They may come in a variety of shapes, although the body is usually clubbed shaped and resembles burnt wood.