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Swamp beacon (Mitrula elegans)

Swamp beacon (Mitrula elegans) is a very small fungus whose habitat is limited exclusively to bogs and other wetlands, particularly in montane forests. Despite this species' diminutive stature, its bright yellow to orange cap makes these fruiting bodies easy to spot. It is also known as matchstick fungus, while its UK counterpart, Mitrula paludosa, goes by the alliterative name, bog beacon. Meanwhile, my clever son has dubbed them "marsh-rooms." =)


Swamp beacon (Mitrula elegans). Focus-stacked composite of 31 exposures. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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Swamp beacon (Mitrula elegans) using a decomposing pitcher plant as its substrate! Focus-stacked composite of 26 exposures. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
FUN0299


Swamp beacon (Mitrula elegans), four fruiting bodies reflecting in a shallow bog. Focus-stacked composite of 115 exposures. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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Swamp beacon (Mitrula elegans). Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
FUN0228

Next Mushroom: Black elfin saddle (Helvella dryophila)



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All images copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.