Pleurotus nidiformis
the Ghost fungus
Here is a large clump of Pleurotus nidiformis - taken at night-time, under
artificial lighting.
The photo below was taken a few minutes later - in complete darkness -
and the Ghost fungus is illuminated exclusively by its own phosphorescence.
400 ASA colour negative film, 50mm lens, f2, 2 minutes.
The Ghost fungus, Pleurotus nidiformis is also known as Pleurotus lampas.
nidi = "nest"; formis = "mould", so nidiformis could be translated
as "nest-shaped mushroom".
Hmmmphh!
I prefer lampas, which means "firebrand" or "torch", just like the "fax"
in fax mentis incendium gloriae.
This could be the official mushroom of Parramatta High School.
Postscript
With reluctance (since I was getting used to "Pleurotus") I have to advise that a more correct
name for the fungus in question is Omphalotus nidiformis. (17/4/01)
Incidentally, the
"Field Guide to Fungi of South Eastern Australia"
(MacDonald and Westerman, ISBN 0 17 005290 7, 1979)
makes the following observations about the Ghost Fungus:
Taste: Mild.
Smell: Pleasant.
Toxicity: Unknown.
(I imagine they are still waiting to find out.)
Pleurotus returns!
April 10 2001. Almost a year later, the ghost fungus makes a welcome return.
Click here to see some photos.
Back to the detail photo of Pleurotus.
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