‘Tis the
time for fungi.
Here’s a
few I have found on some recent walks. I do not guarantee the identifications.
I always find fungi hard to ID, even down to what families they belong
sometimes. The fruiting bodies can appear very different as they degenerate. Many
different species can appear very similar. I gave up long ago with the Mycenas.
Happy for anyone to suggest otherwise to my efforts…
Stereum Ostrea
- Golden
Curtain Crust
This large,
oyster-like, orange fungus grows on old logs and branches. There are some spots
in Uralla Reserve at Trafalgar where this stunning, photogenic species is quite
abundant.
Armilaria
sp (luteobubalina?)
- Honey Fungus
Armilaria
grows on the wood of living trees and is an aggressive plant parasite. Often
seen growing on lawns and nature strips and garden mulch (this image was taken
in McGlone Rd Drouin), the fungus will be in association with the roots of a
nearby tree or shrub.
Pycnoporus
coccineus - Scarlet
Bracket
This small,
common orange bracket is found growing on dead branches on the ground. Turn it
over to see the stunning scarlet red underside of tiny pores. Scarlet Brackets
are not hard to find in our district – this one was at Rokeby Crossover
Regional Park.
Clavaria
amoena - Yellow
Club (or Yellow Coral)
Often seen
growing in moss beds where the yellow contrasts brilliantly with the green. It
grows in the soil. This one at Uralla was barely 3-4cm tall but it can reach
10cm at times.
Boletellus obscurecoccineus – Rhubarb Bolete
This Bolete
is not particularly common and so is always a delight to come across, usually
in a eucalypt woodland. This was at Edward Hunter Reserve in Moe recently.
The variety
of fungi is astounding…
Just need
to live a little longer!