Green Stain Fungi is one of my favourite fungi of the Chlorociboria spp. You are much more likely to see the mycelium than the fruiting bodies though. Walking through the forests of the BC Coastal Region, you will quite often see the attractive but unusual coloration of blue-green stain on various types of wood. Green Stained Fungi are also known as Blue Stain Fungus, Turquoise Elfcup, Green cup fungi, or a variation of these names. Some people will see a blue colour while others see it as green.
The Green Stain Fungi does produce mushrooms, but they are small and rarely produced, so you have a much better chance of seeing the mycelium as it stains the wood. The mushrooms are small, cup-shaped, and greenish-blue, they tend to fruit most during the summer months but will also grow during very dry periods in the winter months. They are usually attached to their host by a short stipe.
In the Pacific Northwest, staining is usually seen in well-decayed wood, most kinds of wood can be colonized. Green Stain Fungi decay small pieces of wood as well as large logs. The fungi can rot the wood from both hardwoods and conifers.
Green-stained wood was used to decorate wooden objects with colourful inlays during the Renaissance years. Carvers produced beautiful works with intricate inlaid designs. Scientists are finding that the pigments have other uses, there is a study going on right now to see if it has the qualities to fight cancer.
All in all, the Green Stain Fungi is a fascinating mushroom that I, for one, am always excited to find in our forests. So when you are out walking, keep an eye out for this mushroom and you might see it on wood and just, maybe. have the opportunity to see the fruiting bodies.