Unknown Coral Fungus

Coral Fungus, originally uploaded by Comfortably Gruntled.

I came across this little species of coral fungus growing in my lawn Narooma NSW.

Coprinus comatus

The Shaggy Inkcap - Coprinus comatus is an edible species and one that is sort after in many regions where people harvest wild mushrooms. This species of fungi is one that self digests an so it needs to be picked young and cooked within a day. I am yet to sample its culinary qualities but I happen to know where there are some growing and with 20mm of rain here yesterday I'm thinking there may well be some nice young ones emerging. I'll keep you informed on how I find them.







The last couple of images show Coprinus as it almost completes digesting itself. This is a very good means of identification.

Gymnopilus Emerging

Found a clump of Gymnopilus junonius just breaking through the soil. In the location they're growing I should have little difficulty in observing their life cycle. They seem to be quite a common species around the area although I've only observed them growing at the base of Spotted Gum~ Eucalyptus maculata.

Young Gymnopilus junonius

And mature examples

The colour of these fungi is quite intense and you're hardly likely to miss their presence if they happen to be nearby.

Little Jelly Fungus

I have been doing some research into fungi on the Australian National Botanic Gardens' website and others, trying to learn about the various types of fungus and the species I'm likely to come across in my forays around the region. I was delighted the other day to come across this pretty, little example of what I think is Tremella mensenterica (Thanks Elfram for the ID). We had just received 26mm of rain to follow on from 42mm we got the week previous. There were quite a few of these little growths occurring on the trunk of a fallen Banksia serrata and they were nice and plump in the prime of their growth. Don't let the benign appearance of this fungus mislead you, although it is found growing on dead wood, it actually exists by parasitising other fungi species . It appears it is a very delicate fungus, as a couple of examples burst open very easily at my touch and oozed a gooey orange viscous liquid. I went back to the same place a few days later and all that remained were some orange stains on the trunk that gave no indication of their origin.

Tremella mesenterica

These are the fruiting bodies just emerging

There were quite a few of these little fungi
growing on the same log. Perhaps it were they
that were acting as Tremella's host?

Even More Fungi

Came across a nice little batch today

Some Colourful Fungi

Woke early and went for a walk before breakfast on Anzac Day and found a few interesting looking fungi. The first two species were found growing here where I live, which makes about eight or nine that I've seen.

I came across this pink one which I've not seen before. It has one trait which I didn't note until I'd taken the pic, the edge of the gills are the same colour as the top.

This is possibly a Russula species,
could be Russula persanguinea.
(my thanks to Elfram for the ID)

Then I found this one which was a bit nondescript above but magic from below







A walk in the afternoon was glorious in the autumn sun and I made a couple of interesting finds.

Not sure what this brown one is, however it is so distinctive in appearance that I think it should be relatively easy to identify. I'll post an ID as soon as I have one









On the way home I came across a small group of fungi that had been overwhelmed by a mould of some description. They smelt even more revolting than they looked.









Well it is now the 27^th of April and there is some more rain falling, soft but steady and enough to do some good. Should soon be a lot more fungi popping their heads up so that I can shove a lens at them. I'll keep you posted

Found More Fungi

We have just had 40mm of rain in the past day, which finally let up around lunchtime today. Went for a stroll not long after it stopped and I came across these

Not sure what this first one is, nearest I can find is possibly Xerula radicata

I also came across a group of Coprinus comatus, in various stages of growth.

Numerous small were ones just emerging

several full grown examples

and a tight cluster of rain decimated stems
dripping their evil looking black gloop.

I'm planning on photographing them again early in the morning if the weather is better than it was today. Keep an eye on them through the day and try to follow the fruiting cycle through it's stages.

Some South Coast Fungi

As I mentioned in my last post I recently bought myself a digital camera. Whilst trying to work out all its functions and the best way to use them, I decided to focus on taking images of some of the local fungal flora I've come across (they don't move and you can get nice and close without scaring them).

The world of fungi is a mysterious and fascinating one due to the sheer diversity of species. Many people think of fungi as plants and whilst it is true that fungi share many similarities, they are differ from plants because they are heterotrophs and rely on external sources for their nourishment. Plants on the other hand are able to produce their own food through the process of photo synthesis. The ways in which various fungi reproduce is also unique and a branch of biology that is still poorly understood. Whilst fungi aren't plants, many species live in a close symbiotic relationship with plants and are unable to survive without them. The converse is also true in many instances, with plants relying on fungal mycorrhiza in the soil to break down nutrients and supply them to the roots. Phosphorous is one element in particular that plants take up this way. Fungi can also help protect the plant from disease and pathogens. Not all relationships are mutualistic, as some fungi are parasites and cause minor or severe damage to their host. Many other species live on dead and decaying vegetable matter and, along with bacteria, are the most important organisms involved in decomposition of dead plant material.

Most of the following images were all taken in fairly close proximity to one another on an area of bushland around 70 acres in size. I have been able to make a positive ID on some of the species, others I have narrowed done to a particular genus, whilst with others, your guess is as good as mine. If I have made any errors or if you can help me identify a particular specimen, I will gratefully welcome any comments.

Unknown sp.

Gymnopilus junonius

Omphalotus Nidiformis.
It has the trait of bioluminecence and soon I
hope to capture an image of it glowing.

Unknown Bolete

Unknown sp.

Aseroe rubra
This is one of the stinkhorns, which truly
live up to their common name.
They emit a foul odour that attracts insects,
which help the fungus spread its spores.

Austroboletus sp.

Unknown Amanita sp.

Gymnopilus junonius

I plan to post about some of the various groups in more detail shortly as I become more educated in the magical world of these wonderful organisms. There is so much to learn just to have a minor and basic knowledge of the life of fungi.