New Zealand Fungi

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, cultivated soil, and beech forests. Native to Australia and New Zealand, and introduced into Europe, North America and Asia. Otago Peninsula *

DSC1478OctopusstinkhornDevils fingersGiantLysurusPseudocolusAnthurusClathrusarcherifungusAustralianbrownblowflyCalliphorastygiapinkishredsporecontainingglebaforestNew ZealandOtago Peninsula