New Zealand Fungi

DSC_9934 Sunburst lichen (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 *

DSC9934Sunburst lichenLichenomphaliaalpinaunusuallichenbrightyellowmushroomlikereproductive structurealpine bogsLewis Pass