New Zealand’s fungi come in a dazzling array of colours and forms. Here are some of the more remarkable and colourful fungi.
There is nothing I enjoy more than spending a day walking outdoors. The world above treeline always feels like a magical place to me, but the bush is also pretty spectacular. A sunny day in the alpine wonderland is full of jaw dropping views, but a rainy day also has treasures to be discovered. During the wet, rainy winter the alpine area may not be suitable, instead a walk in the bush is the way to go. On your next foray into the wilds of New Zealand maybe you will see one of these remarkable fungi.
New Zealand’s Fungi – Colourful Treasures
Sky Blue Mushroom or Werewere-Kokako (Entoloma hochstetteri)
How can I possibly write about the colourful fungi of New Zealand without beginning with the magical sky blue mushroom. This endemic mushroom is even located on the 50 dollar bill. I’ve spent years exploring the wilds of the country and have only been fortunate enough to see this on a few days spent on the Heaphy Track.
Golden-scruffy Collybia (Cyptotrama asprata)
Here is another colourful New Zealand fungus. This golden fungus is native to New Zealand, but can also be found in other tropical countries. The stalk and cap are a golden to orange in colour and the cap is covered in tufts that look like little spikes.
Fly Agaric
This mushroom takes the classic form of a stalk with a cap on it and looks like it comes straight from Smurf village. The stalk is white with a red cap covered in white speckles. Be warned that although this mushroom looks neat it is in fact poisonous. Unlike many of the other colourful fungi here that are native, this is an introduced species that thrives under introduced conifers or beech trees.
White Basket Fungus (Lleodictyon ciborium)
This wild looking fungus looks like a toddlers’ toy. This native fungus can be seen growing on the forest floor in leaf litter. I’ve only seen this once in the Kaitake Ranges of Taranaki. This decomposer is native to New Zealand, but also seen in Australia and other Pacific islands.
Anemone Stinkhorn or Puapua-a-Autahi (Aseroe rubra)
This is one of the crazier looking fungi that you are likely to see in New Zealand. I’ve only been lucky enough to see this a couple of times. This looks like some sort of creature reaching out its tentacles to catch unsuspecting prey. The bright red tentacles come out of a white stalk. There is a brown slime at the base of the tentacles. This mushroom attracts flies, which spread the spores. This fungus is native to New Zealand, but also found in Australia, and many Pacific islands.