this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2023
2 points (100.0% liked)

Mycology

2987 readers
1 users here now

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
2
Now this is an interesting fungi! (files.mastodon.social)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

Now this is an interesting fungi!

It is called Gymnosporangium clavariiforme or more common "Tounges of Fire". Around a month ago they popped up all around where I live.

The fungi infects a juniper to form the characteristic "Tounges of Fire" which spread spores. These need to land on a hawthorn as a second host. The spores produced on the fruit of the infected hawthorn then need to find a juniper again and the cycle repeats.

#biology #fungi #mycology #nature #naturephotography @mycology

top 1 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

That's super cool! Thanks for sharing!

I wonder why something like this would evolve.... It is as if they want to play in "Hard" mode for no obvious reason. They need not only one host to survive, but actually need two different hosts to be present within an area. What do they get out of this complex cycle?