These varieties pictured below are particularly fond of the litter at the base of pine trees, so it is no surprise that I saw them amongst pine bark chips today.
Looking quite decayed, these flies thought it a good place to reproduce.
This form has also appeared after the rains.
Seems that the weather is just right for fungi of many types.
Hi David
ReplyDeleteYou didn't mention the smell. That's why the flies love it.
Starfish Fungus - Aseroe rubra. I have also seen it under Pine Trees. Presumably that's its favourite host plant.
Second one is a Slime Mold.
Its still dry in Robbo (well, mists, but no rain. Hillsides around Roboo have gone brown, would you believe it?
So too dry for much fungal activity here. You must have caught some local thunderstorm activity. Dry to the south (Victoria) and to the north. Interesting.
Cheers
Denis
Wow, that is some wicked looking stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteYep (Mike), I think I will stick to the Swiss Brown.
The Starfish Fungus looks a little "alien" to my tastebuds :)
When you look down the centre, through the hole in the top, you can see that the massive stem is actually a hollow cylinder. Perhaps this is used as a trap for insects drawn by the smell.
This would provide nutrients perhaps?
Cheers,
David