DSC_1891 White basket fungus, or kopurawhetu (Ileodictyon cibarium) showing the lattice-work of the baskets covered in brown spore mass, and smelling of rotting meat, attracting flies which feed on the liquid and disperse the spores. The basket can also break free from the egg and blow across the ground dispersing spores. This iconic native fungus has more than 35 Maori names, indicating it was well known throughout many regions of NZ. Also known from Australia. Dunedin *
DSC_1894 White basket fungus, or kopurawhetu (Ileodictyon cibarium) showing the lattice-work of the basket covered in brown spore mass, and smelling of rotting meat, attracting flies which feed on the liquid and disperse the spores. The basket can also break free from the egg and blow across the ground dispersing spores. This iconic native fungus has more than 35 Maori names, indicating it was well known throughout many regions of NZ. Also known from Australia. Dunedin *
DSC_0692 Anemone stinkhorn, or puapua-a-autahi (Aseroe rubra) recognizable for its foul faecal odour and pink to red arms that spread horizontally and are forked at the tips. The brown spore-carrying mucus at the base of the arms is smelly, attracting blowflies which disperse the spores. This fairly common Australian fungus (it was the first native Australian fungus to be formally described), is widely distributed in eastern Australia, and across the islands in the Pacific Ocean, including New Zealand. It is introduced in Britain and the USA. Flagstaff, Dunedin *
