New Zealand Fungi

DSC_6815 Scarlet berry truffle (Paurocotylis pila) left, and Native scarlet pouch (Leratiomyces erythrocephalus) right. These two small, round, brightly coloured fungi can be found in litter in broadleaf-conifer forests in autumn. Where either litters the ground, they can be difficult to tell apart from the fallen fruit of miro, and supplejack, and indeed it seems likely that these small red fungi are mistaken for fruit, and so are dispersed by forest birds. Otago Peninsula *

DSC6815Scarletredpouch fungusLeratiomyceserythrocephalusWeraroaerythrocephalacolouredfungusfallen fruitmirosupplejackpodocarpslitter'berrylike'trufflesbird dispersalOtago Peninsula