Story behind the art of Yuan Yuan Wang

Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores

The Fifth New York Botanical Garden Triennial

Cracked Cap Polypore Displaying Gravitropism on Fallen Tree

Phellinus robiniae

From the moment I set eyes on this specimen of Phellinus robiniae, I knew I wanted to

paint it because of the spectacular visual example of gravitropism it displays. Gravitropism is growth of fungi in a specific direction in response to gravity. When you look at my painting, you are looking at the original “topside” of the polypore mushroom (shelf fungus) from the time when it grew on a standing black locust tree. However, when I discovered this specimen, I found it on a fallen black locust tree. New brackets had begun to form on top of the original cap, adjusting their pore surfaces to be parallel to the ground. I chose this angle for my painting to show off the dark brown furrowed cap (thus the common name, cracked cap polypore) of the original growth of the mushroom, as well as to showcase the new growth after the tree had fallen.

Phellinus robiniae is perennial, increasing in size by adding a new pore surface layer to its underside yearly for up to many decades. Like counting rings on a tree, you can estimate the age of this mushroom by observing the number of pore surface layers. In my painting, I have depicted the layers of growth on the newer brackets. I relished painting these layers and more than once daydreamed of eating puff pastry with a sprinkle of chocolate powder on top! The pore surface of the mushroom is enchantingly velvety and slightly shimmery, taking on different shades from different viewing angles.

Although common on the east coast of the United States, these mushrooms most often go unnoticed. While people tend to be drawn to mushrooms for their edible or showy qualities, it is important to acknowledge the crucial role certain fungi play in our ecosystem as niche decomposers. Phellinus robiniae fungi can break down the incredibly dense and rot-resistant wood of their host trees. Without them, we would be overwhelmed by vast amounts of dead organic matter and fallen trees. This underscores the essential balance they help maintain in our natural world. The Phellinus robiniae fungus is truly one of our unsung allies in this world.

Chicken of the Woods

Laetiporus cincinnatus

It was a pleasant weekday morning in September when my husband and I went for an early stroll in our beloved local park, Inwood Hill, in New York City. We walked along a familiar uphill trail, flanked by towering red oak and tulip trees. I felt the bustle of the city fade away, the chirp of birds and cool morning air greet me, and everything seemed to take on a tint of green. Then suddenly, my eye latched onto a radiating rosette of bright yet delicate salmon and orange at the base of a large red oak tree. Upon seeing this foreign object, I yelped with surprise. I crouched down to take a close look at this large polypore mushroom. I had encountered this genus of mushroom before, but none came close to how beautiful and pristine this specimen was.

It dawned on me what this was. From walks with the New York Mycological Society, I deduced this must be Laetiporus cincinnatus, the less common of the two major chicken of the woods species found on the east coast (the other one being Laetiporus sulphureus, which grows higher up on tree trunks and branches). L. cincinnatus is a saprophytic root rot mushroom that grows from the base of oak trees. It can first appear to be growing out of duff (decomposing matter) on the forest floor when in fact the mushroom is fruiting from the buried roots of a host tree.

In painting this subject, my goal was not only to depict the likeness of this outstanding specimen, but to capture the radiating energy and ephemerality of the mushroom by creating dynamic visual movement. I recall that even the air seemed to stir with the powerful presence of this mushroom. I chose a dark background for my painting to contrast with the white delicate edges of the mushroom. When painting the brackets, I took extra care to portray the silky moist tissue and the tender outer margin.

Chicken of the woods is celebrated as a visually striking mushroom and a choice edible with a resume of health benefits. I am fascinated by the sheer diversity in the kingdom of fungi and their ubiquity in our lives. They are always busy at work, yet so often go unseen and unnoticed. Occasionally, they reveal themselves, and as an artist I want to seize those special moments.

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