August 2008

LORD OF THE FLIES

YELLOW DUNG MOSS (Splachnum luteum)

This summer, as the nature is very moist due to frequent rain, a cloudberry picker might encounter some charming fairy sunshades.

What they see is a cluster of Yellow dung moss sporangia, which do not in any way resemble a traditional fungus sporophore.

Closer inspection reveals that the cluster grows on a reindeer dunghill from last year. The scent of the sunshade shaped sporangia attracts flies and other insects that feed on dung. As they visit the scented sunshades, spiked spores stick on their feet. Their next stop is a fresh reindeer dunghill. The spores stick on the dung, and the next summer, during cloudberry season, you can again find these beautiful plants, more common on rainy summers.

Technique: Canon EOS V, 70-200mm, Kodak E 100 VS, Kuusamo, Isosuo, August