New Zealand Fungi and Lichens

DSC_2431 Fischer's egg (Claustula fischeri) sectioned to show spores. This is an extremely rare fungus with a strange, disjunct distribution. It has only been recorded from the Nelson Region in the north west of the South Island, and Otago in the south east. It is the sole New Zealand survivor of an ancient Gondwanan lineage, restricted to Australasia and South America. Fischer's egg produces spores within the 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 - certainly some eggs appear partially eaten - however the dispersal mechanism is still unknown. Eastern Otago *

endemicTasmaniaClaustulaceaePhallalesGellopellis