Fungus 2014

[Anthony Darby]

Good grief! I knew swamp kauri, which is thousands of years old, was still being dug up but I'd no idea the trunks were so huge. I despair when I see it made into tourist tat!

[David Lyttle]

This was found by one of the school caretakers at my children's school (Botany Downs Secondary College, Auckland). It weighed 4kg! There are more of them where it was found.

I have just picked up on this thread so have not commented earlier. What you have got is Phlebopus marginatus, also known as Phlebopus portentosus. It is a bolete but is different to the familiar European ones. It is also found in Australia and in South-east Asia extending north into Yunnan. The Chinese and the Thais eat it considering it a delicacy. A considerable amount of work has gone into learning to cultivate it.

Boletes particularly Suillus are common in New Zealand and are associated with introduced conifers.

A rather pretty native bolete is Austroboletus lacunosus . This specimen was photographed at the beginning of the Heaphy Track in Nelson last May

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks David. None of my books, searches or inquiries yielded the answer. Looks like this one was just a baby! 

[Chris Johnson]

I have just picked up on this thread so have not commented earlier. What you have got is Phlebopus marginatus, also known as Phlebopus portentosus. It is a bolete but is different to the familiar European ones. It is also found in Australia and in South-east Asia extending north into Yunnan. The Chinese and the Thais eat it considering it a delicacy. A considerable amount of work has gone into learning to cultivate it.

Boletes particularly Suillus are common in New Zealand and are associated with introduced conifers.

Thanks for the correct identification of this fungus, David. Not one I have heard of, which is not surprising as it's entirely southern hemisphere.

Chris

[freddyvl]

Always a beauty to see in the garden, Geastrum

[Chris Johnson]

Very nice. Collared Earthstar, in my opinion.

There are about 22 species in Britain with the Collared Earthstar Geastrum triplex the most frequently found and one of the largest. The spreading, cracking, base is typical. Most often found in humus-rich woodland.

Chris

[Natalia]

This year we have a very dry weather and fungi had little ...

Unknown mushrooms

[Chris Johnson]

Hi Natalia

An interesting looking mushroom and not one I can place at present. It is still immature and any other images you have of the cap expanded and a photograph of the gills would be helpful. It could be indigenous to Russia, of course.

Chris

[Natalia]

Hi, Chris
I'm afraid I can not help - I accidentally stepped on them ...


 Cyathus striatus


Probably this is the last mushrooms this year ...

Natalia

[Chris Johnson]

Probably this is the last mushrooms this year ...

Another nice image ...

Is this the last because of frost and snow? The season is longer here but sub-zero temperatures finishes them off.

Chris

[Natalia]

Chris, alas, we already had frost -10-15 degrees ...
As these fungi remained - I do not know.

[Chris Johnson]

Surprising.

The larger, gilled fungi perish first as they are over 90% water. Others can survive longer, especially if they have some protection from woodland or forestry.

Chris

[Chris Johnson]

I was reflecting recently on what a poor season it has been for grassland fungi and waxcaps in particular. The main period here is from September to the end of October.

What a pleasant surprise then to note my best site was a mass of colourful fruitbodies. It was a cold night which left them covered in frost. This one is Crimson Waxcap Hygrocybe punicea.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Lots of Giant Parasols and Horse Mushrooms on the North Downs in Kent this year. Delicious!

[Chris Johnson]

The local group had an enjoyable meeting yesterday looking at waxcaps. I also found this: Lepista panaeolus

Chris