DSC_1478 Octopus stinkhorn, or Devils fingers (Clathrus archeri) visited here by a male Australian brown blowfly (Calliphora stygia). The fungus has three to eight elongated slender arms, initially held erect and attached at the top, before unfolding to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with a dark-olive spore-containing gleba. Grows near woody debris, in lawns, gardens, and cultivated soil. Native to Australia and New Zealand, and introduced into Europe, North America and Asia. Otago Peninsula *
11008-11505 Velvet earthstar (Geastrum velutinum) view of many fruit bodies beneath rimu on forest floor. In these fungi the spores are ejected in little bursts as falling raindrops strike the outer wall of the round spore sac or peridium. The fruiting body is rather tough and lasts longer than most other fungi. Ruapehu *
11008-11515 Velvet earthstar (Geastrum velutinum) view of three fruit bodies beneath rimu on forest floor. In these fungi the spores are ejected in little bursts as falling raindrops strike the outer wall of the round spore sac or peridium. The fruiting body is rather tough and lasts longer than most other fungi. Ruapehu *
