Name of fungus that turns wood red?

DANL | Posted in General Discussion on July 31, 2004 06:43am

I would like to find the article (I think it was in Fine Woodworking–I get too many mags) about the fungus that makes red streaks and threads in wood–turners like it. Similar to spalting. Can’t find the article because I can’t remember the bloody name of the organism–starts with an ‘A’, I think. Any info would be welcome. I’m new to this forum, so if this has been talked to death, please forgive me.

Replies

splintergroupie | Aug 01, 2004 12:58am | #1
If you mean the fungus that give red streaks woods like box elder, try Fusarium negundi. Too bad the color fades...

DANL | Aug 01, 2004 02:41am | #3
That must be the one I was thinking of, because I seem to remember it in box elder. Was I ever wrong about it starting with an 'a'! (I was saying "anthrocene" but that's something else totally.) Thanks.

jonsherryl | Aug 01, 2004 01:50am | #2
You're probably thinking of Fusarium negundo, but recent research suggests that the red pigments result from extractives in the wood, as opposed to pigments resulting from the metabolism of this particular mold.

DANL | Aug 01, 2004 02:42am | #4
Thanks for the info. I was telling a timber cutter about it--he'd never heard of it, and since I was totally wrong about the name of it, I wasn't much help.