Fruit bodies to 150 mm across, with one to several brackets arising from a common base. Surface at first pale brown, becoming darker with age. Stem usually short, brown-black, felty. Found on dead wood.
OMPHALIMA UMBELLIFERA
A lichenised fungus which is very common on bare ground such as bushtracks and rabbit mounds. Caps up to 15mm, depressed to funnel-shaped. Although small is very conspicuous because of its bright colour.
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MARASMIUS OREADES
May be an introduced species. It is now common in pastures, lawns and nature strips where it forms ‘fairy rings’ of dead grass. This fungus will appear after good rains throughout the year. Fibrous, tough texture.
TREMELLA MESENTERICA GROUP Tremellaceae Yellow Brain
Members of this group of fungi are gelatinous in texture and appearance, have a very high water content and are usually found on wood. The fertile tissue covers the greater part of the surface in convoluted forms, but only the lower surface of bracket forms. (The Tremella mesenterica group includes T. aurantia; the 2 species can only be distinguished microscopically)
Fruit bodies variable in size. In dry forest it forms small compact colonies on dead twigs and branches. In moist to wet forests it forms much larger, brain-like masses on dead logs and branches. The colour is deep orange, becoming paler as the fruit bodies enlarge.
RHIZOPOGON LUTEOLUS Rhizoponaceae False truffle
Fruit bodies to c.50mm across, usually half-immersed in soil. Texture rubbery and sponge-like, internally consisting of small chambers. Immature specimens white inside but soft brown when mature. Associated with pine trees and plantations where often common.
