{Phallus Impudicus or Stinkhorn}

On December 18, right at our front door entrance Pieter did show me this perfect Phallus impudicus or Stinkhorn.

This perfect Phallus impudicus was discovered just in time!
There are other mushrooms growing nearby.

This photo shows how it looks after Pieter dug it up

It sure does resemble a Phallus...
And in reply to some questions: YES it stinks and has a very foul odor.
On this video you can see how some of these many Phallus species mature, bursting open and releasing their foul odor to attract flies, that will carry their sticky spores...
Dictyophora duplicata and Phallus ravenelii, stinkhorn mushrooms ←just click the link.
The beginning of this Phallus mushroom, a kind of egg form, is considered a delicacy however!
You can see that here in this video: The Common Stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus ←click it.

Yep, just next to the walkway leading up the steps to our front door!
Mushrooms will keep following us for the rest of our lives...

{Zuccotti Park with 4 World Trade Center NYC}

On August 28 of 2015, we also did visit in New York City, the Zuccotti Park with 4 World Trade Center

The famous Joie de Vivre sculpture in red painted steel by Mark di Suvero is seen in the front.
To the right you see the One Liberty Plaza, formerly the U.S. Steel Building.
And in the center you see the tall, new 4 World Trade Center just click on link for more info.

Interesting to watch the short 2 minute Official 11 Year Time-Lapse Movie of One World Trade Center by clicking this pink hyperlink.

This was such an impressive area!
Contrary to the belief of many Europeans, those are not 'flats' (Dutch for high rise) for living but purely office buildings!

Thanks for your visit

{Castanopsis Cuspidata (Japanese Chinquapin) Japanese Shii}

Around mid-April our very special tree, the evergreen Castanopsis cuspidata (Japanese Chinquapin) Japanese shii, started blooming.

You can click the pink hyperlink for information...

This photo is actually from April 26, where it is already in full bloom!

As for its name Japanese Shii, it is related to the famous Shii-take mushrooms

'Shii' is the name of the tree that usually hosts the mushroom. The tree belongs to the Birch family. 'Take' means the mushroom fruit...

Screenshot is taken from: Medical Mushrooms.net just click it.

The above information you can find: Castanopsis cuspidata (Japanese Chinquapin; Japanese shii by clicking on the hyperlink.

There is very limited information about this very special tree.

You can find more here: Castanopsis cuspidata

These are the flowers (catkins?) about mid April as they start opening up.

The tree seems to be related to beech and oak!

Looking somewhat hairy but very special!

This is on April 26, the Japanese Chinquapin is partly seen to the right of the tall 'Magnolia Namnetensis Flore Pleno', so you have an idea where it is.

Now I'm stepping back, across the road for an overview. 
Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold is partly seen next to the big Magnolia.

Walking back to the Japanese Chinquapin...

Again, these photos are from April 26 and the flowers start already looking dark.

Except for areas with less direct sunlight.

It is a very unusual and exotic looking tree!

Have you ever seen, or heard of this Castanopsis cuspidata, Japanese Chinquapin or Japanese shii?

Hope you enjoyed this introduction!

Thank you for your visit and time.

Related link:

{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | showing you this Japanese Chinquapin with icicles on!
Castanopsis cuspidata (Thunb.) Schottky | Common names: Japanese tanbark oak; ita-shii (Japanese) and its Pharmaceutical interest