Weeping fungus

First, apologies if this image triggers trypophobia (aversion to clusters of small holes) in anyone who suffers from it.


This is not a failed currant bun but a fungus exhibiting the phenomenon known as guttation, a fascinating one for those such as I, ever intrigued by the intriguing features of lesser known living things. The word comes from the Latin gutta meaning droplet and is applied to the way that some  fungi exude beads of moisture from their surfaces. Guttation can also be seen on  plant leaves where it's easily mistaken for dew or raindrops. It's very characteristic of certain fungi, usually brackets  like this one, which is a species of Phellinus. (Extra shows the way the clump has developed on a completely dead tree trunk which must  have some nourishment contained within it.)

There no conclusive evidence as to why some fungi leak like this but the supposition  is that it's a way of getting  rid of excess moisture during periods of rapid growth. Analysis of the exuded liquid suggests it may contain significant bioactive substances including mycotoxins, antimicrobials, insecticides, bioherbicides, antiviral, and anticancer agents. The human species may yet be grateful for fungal guttation.


There's more about the phenomenon here (with some nice pictures if you like that sort of thing.)
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I blipped the same bracket fungus a couple of years ago with another story about the dire consequences of using it as a smoking mixture as do (or did) the Native Americans of Alaska.
https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2815744705390709415