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Underside of a cluster of ringless honey ...

Underside of a cluster of ringless honey  ...

Underside of a cluster of ringless honey mushrooms (Desarmillaria caespitosa) both in natural light and under 365 nm ... Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 7, 2024



The image presents a striking comparison between the underside of a cluster of ringless honey mushrooms in natural light and under 365 nm ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight.

**Natural Light:**
In the top photograph, the cluster of ringless honey mushrooms is illuminated by natural light. The mushrooms exhibit a dull brown hue with lighter-colored stems, featuring thin, wavy gills underneath. Each mushroom has a cap that ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter and is attached to the stem via a white or cream-colored stalk.

**Ultraviolet (UV-A) Blacklight:**
In contrast, the bottom photograph showcases the same cluster of mushrooms but under UV-A blacklight. The image reveals a dramatic transformation, as the mushrooms emit a bright blue fluorescence, particularly pronounced on the gills and cap edges. This phenomenon is characteristic of certain types of fungi that absorb UV light and reflect it back to our eyes.

**Comparison:**
The juxtaposition of these two images highlights the unique properties of ringless honey mushrooms in response to different lighting conditions. While they appear relatively unremarkable under natural light, their fluorescent capabilities become apparent when exposed to UV-A blacklight, demonstrating a fascinating aspect of their biology.

Overall, this image provides a captivating visual representation of how specific lighting conditions can reveal intriguing characteristics about certain organisms. – AI vision

Sam Houston Forest - College ... 2024
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