DSC_2308 Sky-blue toadstool or werewere-kokako (Entoloma hochstetteri) fragments on forest floor. Always an exciting find regardless of whether you have seen it before. Found in lowland mixed broadleaf forest, particularly beneath podocarps or tree ferns. The Metabolomics lab at the University of Auckland has been researching the biological properties of the blue pigment in this fungi, which may one day be used as a natural blue food colouring. Lake Brunner, Westland *
DSC_2562 Olive oyster (Pleurotus purpureoolivaceus) found on edge of southern beech forest on gorse trunk. This is one of several wood-decay fungi which have sticky traps to ensnare microscopic nematode worms, which provide an important source of nitrogen for the fungus. Nitrogen is a scarce nutrient in rotting wood. Catlins River *
DSC_0767 Earthball (Schleroderma citrinum) a hard lump containing a solid mass of purplish spores, and considered poisonous. At maturity the purple spore powder is released by the skin flaking from the top, to form a ragged crater with lobes that curl outwards. Sometimes called Stone fungus, or Pigskin poison puffball. Silverstream *
