AUTUMN IN THE RAINFOREST - PART FIVE - FUNGI

At this time of year, flowers are replaced with the equally colourful fruiting bodies of fungi, which differ from plants in that they do not contain chlorophyll and are thus unable to obtain nourishment by photosynthesis. They must therefore rely on the absorption of nourishment from the substrate (soil, decaying wood, etc.) This is done by colonisation of their chosen substrate with thread-like filaments called hyphae. These form a web-like mass called the mycelium which spreads through the substrate, releasing enzymes and absorbing nutrients. Information: A field guide to Australian Fungi (Bruce Fuhrer)                   Ramaria spp                                                                                          Coral fungus               Clavaria spp                                                                                          Coral fungus                 Clavaria spp                                                                                          Coral fungus                  Mycena spp                 Stereum spp                                                                              Leathery Shelf-fungus             Crepidotus spp                                                                     Yellow Crep              Geastrum spp                                                           Earthstar

Calocera spp Jelly fungus

PART ONE                 PART TWO                    PART THREE                PART FOUR               PART FIVE