The Colony

[unpopular]

Not sure if this is fungi, moss or lichen. I'm thinking lichen? Never seen anything like it around here. Reminds me of Princes Mononoke. I was tempted to bring a sample home to try to colonize. But i opted to leave as is.

CC welcome

 

[DannyLewis]

Really adds to the tree that fell there.....I like it.....

 

[unpopular]

What's interesting is that it's so local to only about a 5' area, really, on just one tree, as far as I can tell. It was located in a dense riparian willow forest on the Yellowstone river flood plane. I believe the wood is russian olive, severely decomposed.

 

[DannyLewis]

it is all familiar except the lichen. If it is that. It is almost like something you would see in a saltwater aquarium.

 

[unpopular]

Could be a cup fungus, and maybe more likely. This would be consistent with their localization. But there is something very lechen-like about the texture.