We're reaching into the archives for today's #BenInNature update presented by our friends at ...

October 9, 2021

We're reaching into the archives for today's #BenInNature update presented by our friends at Carter Bank & Trust! The following post was originally published on August 13, 2020.

I haven't posted too many mushrooms for the same reason I don't eat wild mushrooms: I'm not very good at identifying them. However, I'm reasonably certain that this little guy is Hygrocybe miniata, also known as the vermilion waxcap.

These little mushrooms can be found worldwide, from the fields and heaths of Europe all the way to the rainforests. The emphasis is definitely on the word "little." The caps of these mushrooms rarely grow larger than a couple centimeters in diameter. This particular mushroom was so small that I thought it was a holly berry when I first saw it, and I ended up having to bust out my macro lens.

These mushrooms are apparently edible, but they're so small that no one really bothers. In any case, I generally advise against eating mushrooms found in the wild. Unless you see someone else eating them first. If they survive, you're good to go!

ABOUT #BenInNature
Social distancing can be difficult, but it presents a great opportunity to become reacquainted with nature. In this series of posts, Administrator of Science Ben Williams ventures outdoors to record a snapshot of the unique sights that can be found in the natural world. New updates are posted Monday - Friday, with previous posts highlighted on the weekends. This series of posts is made possible thanks to the support of VMNH Corporate Partner Carter Bank & Trust (www.cbtcares.com).

NATURE PHOTO IDENTIFICATIONS
If you discover something in nature that you would like help identifying, be sure to message us right here on Facebook with a picture (please include location and date of picture) and we'll have our experts help you identify it!