New Zealand Fungi

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DSC_2431 Fischer's egg (Claustula fischeri) sectioned to show spores. Fischer's egg produces its spores within a conspicuous white, egg-shaped receptacle that emerges from a brown, gelatinous protective cover. Although it is a 'stinkhorn', it appears to be odourless. Its distinctive appearance, (the white receptacle is the size of a hen's egg), may encourage animals and birds to eat it, thereby dispersing the spores - indeed some eggs certainly appear partially eaten - however the dispersal mechanism is still unknown. Eastern Otago *

DSC 2431 Fischer's egg egg fungus stinkhorn Claustula fischeri sectioned native brown spores South Island Tasmania Claustulaceae stinkhorn fungus Phallales odourless Eastern Coastal Otago