January 19, 2025

These are known as Wandering Creamsicles

Based on their color and how they are spreading

They were introduced to Florida from Australia

And now they are rapidly northward heading.

Location: Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve

Photo originally taken: Aug 6, 2019

Explanation: Did not receive ID confirmation till 1 year after original posting.

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP375

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

March 17, 2024

This is known as a Magic Mushroom

It has shown limited promise medically

Possession is illegal in the state of Florida

But it could possibly help with depression and PSTD.

(Note: As with all mushrooms, you cannot positively identify a mushroom by a photograph. You must examine the  spore and other key features. Many mushrooms look similar - some are highly poisonous. NEVER pick and eat a wild mushroom based solely on a photograph.)

Location: Found on private land growing wild. 

Sources: https://health.wusf.usf.edu/health-news-florida/2022-11-03/psychedelic-magic-mushroom-drug-may-ease-some-depression

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

May 10, 2021

This is a Ganoderma species

Growing where once a sweet gum grew

Twas struck by lightning, then too much wind

Now life begins anew

Very special thanks to today's guest poet and photographer, the amazing Heather Stapleton.

Location: Vero Beach, private residence

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganoderma

Photo and text © 2021 Heather Stapleton

November 23, 2019

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee

These are Indigo Milk Cap mushrooms
They live sybiotically with oaks and pines
They produce a beautiful, dark blue milk
If they are pierced with the tip of a knife.

Sources: MushroomExpert.com - Lactarius indigo

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 4, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, Rails to Trails

This is Lycoperdon marginatum
Commonly known as a Peeling Puffball
As with any wild mushroom, do not try to eat it
Mushroom ID can be a tough call.

Important Note: Although this appears to be a Peeling Puffball, you cannot ID mushrooms from a photo. Positive ID requires spore prints and other methods. Many mushrooms look similar, and it is not advisable to EVER eat a wild mushroom with out the guidance of an expert. Note that many mushrooms in Florida look identical to mushrooms from other places, but can be edible elsewhere and highly poisonous here (and vice-versa.)

Sources: MushroomExpert.com - Lycoperdon marginatum
North American Mycological Association

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson