Image of Terana caerulea

Description:

Slo.: modri krasotec - syn.: Pulcherricium caeruleum (Lam.:Fr.) Parm., Thelephora caerulea Fr. - Habitat: Mixed wood, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies dominant, modestly inclined mountain slope; southeast aspect, locally almost flat terrain; shallow, calcareous ground; mostly in shade; partly protected from direct rain by tree canopies, average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 7-9 deg C, elevation 565 m (1.850feet), alpine phytogeographical region.Substratum: wooden lath, part of a wooden door in wire fence; wood of Robinia pseudoacacia, almost intact or in the earliest stage of disintegration.Comments: Terana caerulea is one of the most beautiful and intensively colored crust fungi I know. Its iridescent cobalt blue color is almost an unmistakable trait for determination. This find was not really attractive; however two things are very interesting. The first is unusual substratum. Robinia pseudoacacia is not mentioned as a possible substratum in my books and I was also unable to find it listed on internet sources. The second is that the wood (lath) was machine processed and almost intact, not at all rotten. I usually find this species on quite rotten branches of Corylus avellana and Fagus sylvatica in regularly moist environment.The fungus is known from all continents and all European countries, but with prevalent southern distribution. It is very rare in boreal areas. However, it is more and more frequently found in northern regions presumably due to warming of global climate (Ref.: 4).Ref.:(1) A. Bernicchia, S.P. Gorjon, Cortitiaceaes, Fungi Europaei ,Vol.12., Edizioni Candusso (2010), pp 650. (2) S. Buczacki, Collins Fungi Guide, Collins (2012), p 530. (3) M. Bon, Parey's Buch der Pilze, Kosmos (2005), p 322. (4) G.J. Krieglsteiner (Hrsg.), Die Grosspilze Baden-Wrttembergs, Band 1, Ulmer (2000), p 342.