mc5 - AVMA Take 2

Yes, it's another round of that classic guessing game - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract [or any combination thereof]. This effort - '03/'04 should address any queries, but then again, may just serve to confuse and baffle which some might say is the point of the game. Patience, integrity and a decent search engine may be useful ....

Chalky

Mycelium?

I'm thinking it can't be the cultivation of mushrooms on hardwood logs because you would've given a hint when I asked about trees some time ago - I still think this is some form of parasitic mushroom.

Chalky

Chanterelle mushroom?

Chalky

The Honey mushroom? [ Armillaria mellea]

Forgive the multiposts - I've only a few free minutes today - and I've been googling. S'amazing what you learn ....

CdM

[Chalky] Mycelium? - No, but the audience applauds the parasitic mushroom comment.
Chanterelle? - No.
Honey mushroom? Major applause from audience. The mushroom is indeed a honey mushroom (the fungus is actually Armillaria ostoyae, but to be honest I haven't quite figured out the differences among the different armillarias). However, as I said before, identifying the variety of fungus is not sufficient to answer the question. For clues, see some of my responses to Raak's recent questions.

Darren

Are we looking for a specific Armillaria ostoyae, ie. a single organism which exists somewhere on the planet?

CdM

[Darren] Specific Ao? - Yes. (The audience is getting very excited, and a couple of individuals have been escorted from the room.)

Chalky

The Giant one found in Oregon in 2000?

"Officially known as Armillaria ostoyae, or the honey mushroom, the fungus is 3.5 miles across and takes up 1,665 football fields. The small mushrooms visible above ground are only the tip of the iceberg. Experts estimate that the giant mushroom is at least 2,400 years old, but could be 7,200 years old."