Greetings
I just returned from a wonderful trip to Australia and New Zealand.
I saw several sorts of plants etc. that we could not identify. Can anyone tell me what sort of fungus this is? It was near the coast in sandy mallee. On a nature trail in the Coorang Peninsula SE of Adelaide, but we also saw it in New Zealand in the Kiwi house at Otorohangi.
Anyone have an idea what it is called? it is very beautiful in a weird way!
Thanks in advance
Lorie in South Carolina USA
Here is another picture.
The are about the size of 2 clenched fists.
that is the Lattice or Basket Fungus - Ileodictyon cibarium: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ileodictyon_cibarium.html
It is related to the stinkhorns. It first appears looking like a puff-ball, which suddenly bursts open as the basket inside suddenly expands and bursts free, to be blown about on the forest floor releasing and spreading its spores.
Here is one I found just after emerging from its shell
Kennedy
Thank you! That is the one! And it is indeed perfectly named.
They are fascinating and unlike any that I have seen her in the US
Intrigued by your post. Recent nane is Ileodictyon gracile.
Old name - Clathrus gracilus.
But it doesn't smell so graceful - quote - foetid, rotton meat or sewage.
Ref. A.M. Young, A Field guide to the Fungi of Australia (2005).p.197.
I had several of these in my garden...
they didn't have any real scent to them.
Which I am grateful for.
At first I thought it was a plastic toy or something.
http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i294/dalfyre/?action=view¤t=pix006.jpg
this fungus is also known as tutae kehua or tutae whetu.
