Chartreuse ectoplasmic pendants
One of the strangest mushrooms I've ever seen
This is one of the strangest mushrooms I've ever seen. I found these growing on a wet rotting log in Clay county, Kentucky, in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
It was very warm and humid day in early June 2022, and I was out walking with my husband, Jim, to see what all is growing and living in this forest before it gets cut.
It was near the end of the day when I came to this large spongy log, and the light was getting low. In the dim forest light these little goo drops seemed to have a greenish yellow glow. I've never seen anything like it before. They were squishy yet firm and somewhat rubbery.
The photo on the right was taken without a flash and shows what they looked like when I walked up - a glowing yellow chartreuse color. The one on the left is the same mushroom, lit up by the camera's flash.
You can also see the remains of a flying insect that must have gotten stuck on the gooey surface of the fungus. The fruiting bodies ranged in size from about 5 mm to 2 cm in length. I'd love to look at these on a dark night to see if they really do glow or if they fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
When I got home I posted pictures of these little blobs on iNaturalist, and found that it is likely a mushroom in the genus Gloeomucro. Between iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer it appears that there are only about a dozen other people on the planet who have recorded observations of this strange fungus!
I intend to go back when it gets warm again to see if these are still growing, but I have no idea if this spot will be the same when I go back; the Forest Service might have it cut down by then. I can't imagine that these will survive after this spot is logged. All of the descriptions I have read from other observers say they found it growing in mesic habitat with shade.
If I ever find any of these glowing snot pendants again, I will put some in alcohol and send them out for analysis. I wonder if these are an already documented species or something new. There were lots of other fungi and slime molds around that day too. I'm looking forward to sharing more pictures of other things I've found in this amazing forest.
Gloeomucro gallery
Save the snot pendants!
I highly recommend visiting Kentucky Heartwood's website to read more about the South Redbird logging project. Their interactive story map is full of information with pictures and videos showing what's at stake.
A lawsuit has been filed to try to protect this forest, but the trees are already marked in many areas and logging could start at any time. Donations are super important to fund the fight to protect this forest. Send your money here.
Here's my observation entry on Mushroom observer.
There is not a lot online about Gloeomucro, but here are a few links to some more information and other observations of this seldom seen genus.
Ronald H. Petersen
