Bengi Kendrick
fungiwithbengi.bsky.social
Bengi Kendrick
@fungiwithbengi.bsky.social
Fungi. Nature. Parasites. Plants.
Skinny dude speaking up for even smaller organisms.
North of Kenomee, Nova Scotia, Mi'kma'ki
@benkendrick on iNat
Yellow-centered Waxy Cap - Hygrophorus flavodiscus
One of the more cold tolerant mushrooms around. It seems to actually prefer fruiting in November. Most other mushrooms I see in November are growing despite the season rather than because of it.
November 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Eastern Dwarf-Mistletoe - Arceuthobium pusillum
New to me
Since I was trying to teach and keep eyes on people yesterday, most of my "new to mes" from yesterday were pointed out to me. I'm so glad someone was keeping an eye out for this. It's common, but has been eluding me for years.
November 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Fuscopannaria leucosticta - White-rimmed Shingle Lichen
New to me
If I'm using the lingo of my overseas lichen brethren correctly, this is an absolute cracker of a lichen.
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Black Foam Lichen - Anzia colpodes
New to me
This one's cheating because someone showed it to me. Still the best lichen I've seen in a couple months I think.
A primarily Appalachian lichen in distribution with a small population extending into Canada.
November 30, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Know the risks. Be safe.
November 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Picked myself up a little treat to pass the time on the cold days.
Last time I examined dollarama craft supplies and looked into where it came from I didn't end up approving of the supply chain.
November 15, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Rubber boots seemed like a better idea today than it actually was.
November 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Isn't it pretty? This one's called Sphagnum fuscum
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Depression season has returned with its 5:10pm darkness
November 8, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Actually I lied, there is a second species on GBIF but it's based on my photos and I don't trust the ID haha.
I suspect the ones in moving water are probably a different species than the ones in lakes. But I don't know that.
Really big healthy populations when I do find them.
November 7, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Think I may have found my first resinicolous calicioid fungus today. Didn't have my knife on me to collect a sample. I will be back for you.
November 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Pear Tar-spot Lichen - Placynthiella uliginosa
I believe this is relatively common in Nova Scotia, but I don't think our records account for that yet.
Too many species to look for, not enough people looking.
October 30, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Some button mushrooms from the lawn surrounding a coal mine entrance.
These ones are for science, not for the table because mushrooms have a habit of hyperaccumulating toxins like heavy metals.
October 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Lophozia ascendens - Small Notchwort
New to me
An absolute beauty of a liverwort. Whole patch is roughly the size of a toonie. Its close relative L. ventricosa grows in a more prostrate growth orientation.
Much more common in Scandinavia, it's quite a rare find in this part of the world.
October 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Nothing like a healthy cryptogamic community
October 30, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Umbilicaria deusta - Peppered Rock Tripe
In most parts of Nova Scotia U. mammulata is the most common rock tripe. In the Cobequids I'm still trying to figure out what species is most common. Found about 5 species here, but I haven't found any species more than twice.
October 29, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Nice to see a conifer habitat that isn't a plantation.
October 29, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Was too good to be true.
October 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Much more lookoff-ey today
October 29, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Ferrofomes graveolens
October 29, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Hygrophorus speciosus - Larch Waxcap
Wouldn't be surprised if these were due for a taxonomy split. Mushrooms that occur in North America and Europe are always suspicious
October 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I believe this fella is Physcia thompsoniana.
A very dainty one
October 24, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Helicogloea compressa

I can't find a common name for this one, so I propose the name "Slippery Braille"
October 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Thermutis velutina
New to me
Species at risk designation of N3 in Canada.
Welcome to Nova Scotia! Sorry I just called you an algae last year, but I revisited the sample in the museum today and you're definitely a lichen. A goodie, too!
October 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Narrow-lobed Rock-Shield - Xanthoparmelia angustiphylla
A lobulate, non-isidiate lichen growing on pink headstone granite. Distinguished from a couple lookalikes by its black undersurface.
This species is probably underreported due to people not knowing to check if the underside is black or brown.
October 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM