INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FUNGI

1 Lat coin with a picture of a cep on it

Measurements: diameter 21.75 mm; weight 4.80 g.

Material: cupro-nickel.

Struck by Rahapaja Oy (Finland).

Artists: Gunars Sietins (graphic design), Janis Stupulis (plaster model).

Obverse

The large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia with the year 2004 inscribed below it is in the center. The inscriptions LATVIJAS and REPUBLIKA, each arranged in a semicircle, are above and beneath the central motif, respectively.

Reverse

A mushroom (Boletus edulis) is featured in the upper part of the coin. The numeral 1 is beneath it, a line stretches from the center to the right, and the inscription LATS is situated in the lower part of the coin.

Edge

Two inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia) are separated with rhombic dots.

text from www.bank.lv

Encoelia furfuracea (Roth: Pers.) P. Karst.

Fruitbodies (apotheciums) of Encoelia furfuracea appears in the early spring on dry branches and trunks of hazels. Apotheciums thread through the bark forming small, compact groups. An average size of apotheciums is 10-15 mm in diameter. Young fruitbodies are cup-shaped and their outer surface is covered with light, granular flocks. In the sequel they become almost plane (disk-like) and their edges crack radially. The inner side of apotheciums is lined with asci and coloured light brown.

BUILDING-EATERS

The true dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans

Photo: Bruno Andersons (1999)

Svente's estate in Daugavpils district,
(19th century)

There was a school that was moved
 to a new premise about 10 years ago.
Since that time, the estate is aban-
doned. Serpula lacrymans has widely
spread throughout the building.

Fruiting body of Serpula lacrymans

Foto/Photo: Bruno Andersons

New, cottony mycelium and strands of
S. lacrymans on a mortar wall in cellar.

Foto/Photo: Urve Kallavus

Serpula lacrymans hyphae inside
the pine tracheid lumen (scanning
electron microscopy)

The true dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) is the most dangerous fungus in buildings, which causes substantial damages for wooden structures in Europe and elsewhere worldwide. S. lacrymans is also widely spread in Latvia, which is testified by numerous inhabitants’ complains about the dry rot attacks. The humid and rather cool summers are especially beneficial for development of the fungus. According to our data, the dry rot attacks in Latvia’s buildings make up 40% from the whole registered cases of house fungi. The maximum of cases is commonly observed from March to September. In buildings, the fungus is mostly found in the floors, doorposts or wooden walls under the plaster.

The dry rot is especially dangerous due to the capability with the mycelium and strands to expand from a moist wood and colonise further the relatively dry wood (20-30%), as well as to penetrate through the inert materials (mortar or plaster). Under favourable conditions, S. lacrymans expands rapidly in buildings, and the material losses caused by it can double every year. The fungus may cause severe material and moral losses not only to the buildings’ owners, but also the society in general, by causing the damage to cultural historical heritage.

 

© LS Institute of Wood Chemistry, Laboratory of wood protection and emission from wood based products

Further information:
House fungi: e-mail ilzeirbe@edi.lv
Wood protection: e-mail brunoan@edi.lv