jvarick's Identifications

Pretty sure this is Tipularia. Not sure how it got here. It's in the middle of eastern red cedar mulch that I use to create a woodland path. The path has existed for at least 10 years (i add mulch every couple years) and I walk it all the time. I'm fairly sure I would have noticed it before now if it always existed here. I'm not sure if it came with the mulch or was deposited by the wind.

It's interesting tho. These are said to rely on mycelium in the soil for germination. At another location I sometimes find them growing out of rotting stumps which are probably loaded with all sorts of Mycorrhizae.

I'm pretty happy to see it. Hopefully it means that my efforts at restoration are improving the soil (or maybe I just got lucky with the mulch). I'll probably re-route the trail a little bit so it doesn't get trampled.