New Zealand Fungi and Lichens

DSC_0790 Candlesnuff fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) a bioluminescent fungi, and one of the last fungi to attack rotting wood. Growing here around the base of the trunk of a Peppermint gum. Although it is bioluminescent, you almost need 'night vision goggles' to see the light, formed as the phosphorus accumulated within the mycelium reacts with oxygen and other chemicals in the fungus. Dunedin *

DSC0790CandlesnufffungusCarbon AntlersXylariahypoxylonbioluminescentfungirotting woodDunedin