Saprophyte Collection

Mouldy bread. The white areas are fungal mycelia, masses of thread-like structures (hyphae) that absorb nutrients. The blue-green areas are the fungal spores (reproductive structures)

Birds Nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) flowering, growing in mossy woodland, France, May

Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) flowering, growing in pine woodland, Chios, Greece, April

Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) close-up of flower, Causse de Gramat, Massif Central, Lot, France, May

Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum) flowering, growing in deep shade woodland, Bavaria, Germany, July

Lacandonia schismatica plant C016 / 6144
Lacandonia schismatica plant specimen. This saprophytic plant is only found in the Lacandon rainforest in southeast Mexico. Natural History Museum, London, UK

Mould growing on tomatoes C014 / 1426
Mould growing on tomatoes. The white strands of fungus, called hyphae, make up the mycelium, and are breaking down the tomatoes to obtain nutrients for growth

Earthstar (Geastrum sp. ) fungus C014 / 0950
Earthstar (Geastrum sp.) fungus in leaf litter. This fungus releases its spores from the central spherical structure. Photographed in Rio Bigal Biological Reserve, Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador

Strangled stinkhorn fungus (Staheliomyces cinctus). This is the fruiting body of this fungus. It produces an unpleasant aroma from a slimy area called the gleba (brown)

Oyster mushrooms on a tree C013 / 9918
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a tree in woodland. These bracket mushrooms are edible fruiting bodies of the fungus, formed as it acts on dead and decaying wood

Aspergillus fungus, artwork C013 / 4613
Aspergillus fungus. Computer artwork of the fruiting body (conidiophore) of a typical mould (Aspergillus sp.), showing spores (conidia, round)

Striped Coral-root - in dense woodland, Canada
ROG-14047 Striped Coral-root - in dense woodland Canada Corallorhiza striata Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) flowering, growing in open woodland on limestone, Causse de Gramat, Massif Central, Lot, France, may

Western Coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana) flowering, growing in ancient coniferous forest, Washington, U. S. A. july
Western Coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana) flowering, growing in ancient coniferous forest, Washington, U.S.A. july

Birds Nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) flowering, growing in beech woodland habitat, Slovenia, june

Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) flowering, parasitic on fungi in conifer forest, Sierra Nevada, California, U. S. A
Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) flowering, parasitic on fungi in conifer forest, Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A. july

Early Coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida) flowering, growing in deep shade, Slovenia, june

Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea) close-up of flowers, growing in pine woodland, Oregon, U. S. A. july
Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea) close-up of flowers, growing in pine woodland, Oregon, U.S.A. july

Bird's Nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) flowering, growing in beech woodland, Slovenia, june

Penicillium mould colony. Penicillium is used to produce the antibiotic penicillin. Magnification: x60 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Penicillium mould, light micrograph
Penicillium mould. Light micrograph of a section through an orange rind infected with Penicillium sp. blue mould fungus, showing fungal hyphae and conidiophores (pink and purple) with spores (red)

Striped Coral-root (Corallorhiza striata) flowering in dense woodland in Canada

Forest lichen and fungus. Cup lichen (Cladonia sp. left) and wolfs udder fungus (Lycogala epidendrum, right), growing on a dead Scots pine tree stump (Pinus sylvestris)

Crimson waxcap mushrooms, artwork
Crimson waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea) mushrooms, artwork. This fungus is found in northern Europe. The mushrooms (fruiting bodies) have a bell-shaped cap (lower right)

Many-coloured polypore fungi
Many-zoned polypore (Coriolus versicolor) bracket fungi. Wiltshire, UK November 2010

Podoscypha fungus, New Forest, UK October 2009

Aspergillus fungus, SEM
Aspergillus fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the fruiting body (round, top) of a typical mould (Aspergillus sp.)

Psathyrella mushrooms after forest fire
Psathyrella pennata mushrooms growing one year after a forest fire. This fire took place in a clear-felled area in the Tiveden forest, in Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden

Geopyxis elf-cup fungi after forest fire
Geopyxis carbonaria elf-cup fungi growing one year after a forest fire. This fire took place in a clear-felled area in the Tiveden forest, in Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden

Reishi fungus
Reishe fungus (Ganoderma lucidum) growing on a dead tree. Photographed in Narke, Sweden

Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) growing on a tree trunk. Photogroahed in Narke, Sweden

Myxomphalia mushroom after forest fire
Myxomphalia maura mushrooms growing one year after a forest fire. This fire took place in a clear-felled area in the Tiveden forest, in Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden

Peziza cup fungus after forest fire
Peziza cup fungus (Peziza lobulata) growing two months after a forest fire. This fire took place in a clear-felled area in the Tiveden forest, in Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden

Plant regrowth after forest fire
Plant regrowth one year after a forest fire. The plants and fungi seen here include Pholiota highlandensis mushrooms (lower left), the common liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha, white-green, centre)

Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea )
Pinedrop (Pterospora andromedea ) flowers on a pine forest floor. Photographed in Oregon, USA

Pinedrop (Pterospora andromedea ) flowers. Photographed in Oregon, USA

Aspergillus fungus spores, SEM
Aspergillus fungus spores, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). These chains of spores (orange) are the reproductive cells of the fruiting body, or conidiophore

Coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana)
Pacific coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana) orchid in flower. Photographed on Mount Ashland, Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon, USA

Bleeding mycena mushrooms (Mycena haemotopus). Bleeding mycenas are so called because they release a reddish juice when cut. They grow on rotting wood, reaching about 3-8 centimetres in height

Cramp balls fungi (Daldinia concentrica) on a dead ash tree (Fraxinus sp.). This species is inedible

Scarlet elf cup fungi (Sarcoscypha austriaca) on dead wood. This edible fungus grows in spring on dead rotting branches and in boggy alder wood areas

Bird's nest orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) - young spikes emerging
ROG-13093 Bird's nest orchid - young spikes emerging Neottia nidus-avis Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Pinedrops - a saprophyte or myco-heterotrophs, found in pine woodlands, Oregon
ROG-12980 Pinedrops - a saprophyte or myco-heterotrophs, found in pine woodlands Oregon, USA Pterospora andromedea Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Snowplant - in high Sierra forest
ROG-11926 Snowplant - in high Sierra forest. California, USA Sarcodes sanguinea Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

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"Saprophyte: Nature's Silent Recyclers" In the enchanting mossy woodlands of France, the Birds Nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) proudly displays its delicate flowers in May. This saprophytic wonder thrives on decaying organic matter, gracefully contributing to nature's cycle of renewal. Across pine woodlands in Chios, Greece, the Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) emerges with vibrant blooms in April. As a saprophyte nestled among towering pines, it silently transforms fallen debris into nourishment for other living organisms. In Norfolk, England, during July, the Birds Nest Orchid reveals its fascinating transformation from flower to seed. Its flowerspike stands tall amidst lush greenery as this remarkable saprophyte continues its vital role in maintaining ecological balance. A close-up glimpse of the Violet Limodore captivates our senses on Causse de Gramat in Massif Central, Lot, France. In May, this resilient saprophyte showcases intricate petals that thrive within shady woodland habitats. Amongst leaf litter and deciduous woodlands near Holt lies another thriving community of Birds Nest Orchids. Their presence reminds us of how these humble saprophytes contribute to forest ecosystems by recycling nutrients from decomposing leaves. On an autumn day atop a wooden stump stands the Banded Polypore (Trametes versicolor), a common polypore fungus and exemplary saprophyte. Through decomposition and nutrient cycling processes, it plays an essential role in sustaining forest health. Woodland wonders continue their journey through Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire in England. The majestic Birds Nest Orchid graces these landscapes with elegant flowerspikes growing amidst leaf litter or under shaded canopies — true champions of sustainability. Deep within Bavaria's shade-drenched woodlands resides the Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum).