New Zealand Fungi and Lichens

DSC_9934 Yellow navel (Lichenomphalia alpina) an unusual lichen with a conspicuous bright yellow mushroom-like reproductive structure. At first sight, this does not look like it could be a lichen at all. The bright yellow caps can grow 5-15mm across. The main body of the lichen consists on a thin, green, granular layer of algae mixed with fungal growth which forms around the mushroom stalk. Occurs on peaty soils, usually in alpine bogs. Lewis Pass *

DSC_5917 'Witches hat' waxgill (Hygrocybe astatogala) shaggy black-brown cap with tan or orange gills. Appears in late autumn. Found on the ground in kahikatea forest, amongst mosses or leaf litter. Arnold River, Westland *

DSC_2162 Orange waxgill (Hygrocybe blanda) yellow-orange, among mosses or litter on the ground beneath mixed forest, or at the base of tree ferns. Can be distinguished from other species by its small size and radially striate cap margin. April to June. Paparoa Range, Westland *

DSC_6516 Orange waxgill (Hygrocybe blanda) bright orange, among mosses on the ground beneath manuka and mixed forest, or at the base of tree ferns. Can be distinguished from other species by its small size and radially striate cap margin. April to June. Boyle River *

DSC_2277 Red waxgill (Hygrocybe cantharellus) usually found in early autumn in scrubby bush, and often growing amongst moss.. Has orange-yellow gills and the caps are up to 30mm across. Paparoa Range, Westland *

DSC_9848 Red waxgill (Hygrocybe cantharellus) usually found in early autumn in scrubby bush, and often growing amongst moss.. Has orange-yellow gills and the caps are up to 30mm across. Jackson Bay, South Westland *

DSC_2158 Red waxgill (Hygrocybe cantharellus) usually found in early autumn in scrubby bush, and often growing amongst moss.. Has orange-yellow gills and the caps are up to 30mm across. Paparoa Range, Westland *

DSC_9934 Yellow waxgill (Hygrocybe cerinolutea) golden yellow to lemon-yellow with a velvety, waxy texture. Found on the ground in mixed forests, amongst mosses or leaf litter. Distinguished from other yellow waxgills by the lack of radial striations on the cap margin. Hapuka Estuary, South Westland *

DSC_5890 Yellow waxgill (Hygrocybe sp.) with 40cm golden yellow cap, yellowish-orange gills and a velvety, waxy texture. Found on the ground in kahikatea forest, amongst mosses or leaf litter. Arnold River, Westland *

DSC_0812 Large red waxgill (Hygrocybe aff. firma) found in June, beneath Coprosma foetidissima in mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest. Has pink gills and the caps are up to 40mm across. Leith Saddle *

DSC_0813 Large red waxgill (Hygrocybe aff. firma) found in June, beneath Coprosma foetidissima in mixed podocarp/broadleaf forest. Has pink gills and the caps are up to 40mm across. Leith Saddle *

DSC_6173 Ruby red waxgill (Hygrocybe rubro-carnosa) among mosses on the ground beneath manuka and mixed forest. Sometimes called the 'rare' waxgill, because its flesh is the colour of raw (rare) steak. April to June. Boyle River *

DSC_6161 Grass green waxgill (Gliophorus viridis ) group among mosses on the ground beneath manuka and mixed forest. Many waxgill species are brightly coloured, April to June. Boyle River *

DSC_6215 Grass green waxgill (Gliophorus viridis) group among mosses on the ground beneath manuka and mixed forest. April to June. Boyle River *

DSC_2157 Yellow-footed pink waxgill (Gliophorus lilacipes) with a yellow base to the stalk. Can be a very variable in colour - with pink caps fairly common. Paparoa Range; Westland *

DSC_6197 Mauve Splitting waxcap (Porpolomopsis lewelliniae) with very distinctive splitting cap, and very 'waxy' gills, amongst Coral lichen (Pulchrocladia retipora), beneath manuka and mixed forest. April to June. Boyle River *

DSC_6819 Yellow club coral (Clavaria amoena) sometimes called the Yellow coral fungus, it appears to be distributed throughout temperate areas of the southern hemisphere. Otago Peninsula *

DSC_8904 Yellow club coral (Clavaria amoena) sometimes called the Yellow coral fungus, it appears to be distributed throughout temperate areas of the southern hemisphere. Leith Saddle, Dunedin *

DSC_5908 Rigid coral fungus (Artomyces turgidus) one of the more common coral fungi on the West Coast of the South Island, growing on well rotted wood in groups. This coral fungus has a much tighter upright form compared to other species. Arnold River, Westland *

DSC_6581 Ashen Coral fungus (Tremellodendropsis tuberosa) tough, coral-like fungus with white, narrow, highly branched fruiting body. Saprobic fungi such as these break down dead vegetable matter in the soil, such as branches and logs. They are the only multi-celled organisms able to digest structural proteins such as cellulose and lignin, both major components of wood (these are tough organic molecules that nobody else wants to bother with). Steyning Stream, Lewis Pass *