Orange Peel Fungus

Today Wayne and I took a quad ride. Along the way, the roads seemed to be littered with bright orange confetti. When we stopped to consult a map I found the source, a fungus growing right out of the rocky soil.

Some were tiny and growing in clusters, but some were several inches across. They are called "Orange Peel Fungus," a very appropriate common name. They look like just like bright orange peels curled up on the ground. The scientific name is aleuria aurantia. It is a cup fungus that likes to grow in clay soil and along road cuts and banks in the fall.

This is mushroom time in Powell River. Lots of people were out today collecting edible ones such as Chanterelles and the highly prized Pine Mushroom. You can sell those here in town to mushroom buyers, but we were just happy to be out in the woods and enjoying the scenery.