Fungi of the lllawarra Fungi of the Illawarra Hundreds, possibly thousands of species Identifying Fungi inhabit the Illawarra region – from the coastal Many fungi can be identified headlands, to grassy plains, to rainforest, using field characteristics, to heathlands, to your own backyard. Each contributes to the health and resilience of these that is, features of sporophores ecosystems. that are visible to the naked eye or with a x10 magnifying lens. Fungi obtain food in different ways, sometimes referred to as trophic modes. Many are recyclers Other species require examination (saprotrophs), breaking down organic material and of microscopic structures or releasing nutrients, while others form mutually DNA sequencing for accurate beneficial relationships (mycorrhizas) with most identification. plants. One of the most well-known unions or symbioses is that of lichens, formed between an alga and a fungus. Others are parasitic, deriving When identifying a fungus, try nutrition from a living host. All types of fungi play and find specimens of the same a vital role in ecosystem function. species at different growth stages, so you can observe the changes The trophic mode for each species featured in this guide is indicated by the letters: S=saprotrophic; that occur as the specimen M=mycorrhizal; P=parasitic; Y=symbiotic. develops. Also note the variation in colour and shape that can Fungi colonise a great range of substrates result from exposure to varying from soil to leaf litter, living and dead trees, weather conditions. This will and herbivore scats. The growing and feeding part of the fungus organism is referred to as give you a sense of the range a mycelium. Under particular conditions, the of variation that occurs with the mycelium produces reproductive structures called species. Also, take a little mirror sporophores, such as the familiar with you so you can observe and puffballs. This guide illustrates a selection of the underside of the specimen some more readily recognisable species. without needing to pick it.

As well as the visual features, Edible & Poisonous Fungi also note the odour and texture Foraging for edible fungi is a popular pastime of your specimen. A selection of but be aware that deadly poisonous species field guides and websites is listed exist in that have caused fatalities. In the event of a suspected poisoning on the back cover to assist you call the Poisons Information Centre Hotline: further with identifications. 13 11 26 (all states and territories). Fungus Substrates Major Fungus Fungi grow in different substrates including soil, living or dead wood, Morphogroups leaf litter, native animal scats (dung), Fungi appear in many different forms and these invertebrates, and other fungi. The can be categorised in arbitrary groups called type of substrate where each species morphogroups. The most well-known are the is usually found is indicated with agarics – mushrooms that usually have an the following colour codes: umbrella-like form and lamellae (thin radiating plates also called gills) beneath the pileus (cap). soil wood, Other familiar morphogroups include puffballs, dung or invertebrate jellies, corals, clubs, discs and polypores. Fungi in this guide are arranged alphabetically within morphogroups. Fungus Names Each species is represented by a scientific name and a Making Spore Prints common name. The majority The colour of fungus spores is an of Australian fungi are yet to important identification feature. You can be formally named and some observe the spore colour by cutting off the are only identified to genus level. pileus and placing it lamellae side down Some names also have the qualifier on a piece of paper for several hours. ‘group’, which means it is part of a complex of species. Spore print from Oudemansiella gigaspora. Fungimap Target Species Fungimap is a hub of information and interaction among fungus experts and enthusiasts and includes a fungus distribution mapping scheme that targets 200 easily recognisable target species. Target species represented in this guide are indicated by an asterisk (*). Further information about identifying and recording species is available at www.fungimap.org.au. Boletellus Agaricus xanthodermus* Amanita muscaria* Oudemansiella gigaspora Lactarius deliciosus obscurecoccineus* Phlebopus marginatus* yellow stainer fly agaric rooting shank saffron milkcap rhubarb bolete giant bolete LAMELLAE S LAMELLAE M LAMELLAE S LAMELLAE S PORE M PORE M

Armillaria luteobubalina* Coprinus comatus* Macrolepiota clelandii* interrupta Suillus granulatus Laetiporus portentosus* Australian honey fungus lawyer’s wig parasol pixies parasol slippery jack white punk LAMELLAE S, P LAMELLAE S LAMELLAE S LAMELLAE S PORE M PORE S

Cruentamycena Gymnopilus Omphalotus Psilocybe Trametes coccinea Trametes versicolor viscidocruenta* junonius* nidiformis* subaeruginosa* scarlet bracket fungus rainbow fungus ruby bonnet spectacular rustgill ghost fungus golden top PORE S, P PORE S LAMELLAE S LAMELLAE S LAMELLAE S, P LAMELLAE S

Vascellum pratense Scleroderma cepa Hydnum crocidens group Ramaria anziana Clathrus archeri* Ileodictylon gracile* field puffball earthball echidna fungus orange & salmon pink coral octopus stinkhorn smooth cage PUFFBALL S PUFFBALL M TOOTH S CORAL M STINKHORN S STINKHORN S

Ramaria capitata var Baeomyces Geastrum triplex Aleuria aurantia capitata Calocera sinensis group Drechmeria gunnii * heteromorphus collared earthstar orange peel fungus pale cauliflower coral pretty horn dark vegetable caterpillar pink earth lichen EARTHSTAR S CUP S CORAL M JELLY S CLUB P LICHEN Y

Phaeohelotium Poronia erici Heterotextus Tremella fuciformis* Lichenomphalia Flavoparmelia rutidota baileyanum* small dung button pezizaformis* white brain chromacea* yellow earth button golden jelly bells yellow navel DISC S DISC S JELLY S JELLY S LICHEN Y LICHEN Y Fungi of the lllawarra

Selected Field Guides Websites of Interest Moore S & O’Sullivan P (2016) A guide to the common Fungimap fungi of coastal . New South Wales www.fungimap.org.au Government - Department of Primary Industries, Orange Australian National Botanic Gardens Grey P & Grey E (2005) Fungi Down Under. www.anbg.gov.au/fungi Fungimap, Melbourne. Atlas of Living Australia www.ala.org.au McCann I (2003) Australian Fungi Illustrated. The Australasian Mycological Society Macdown Productions, Vermont. www.australasianmycologicalsociety.com Fuhrer B (2005) A Field Guide to Australian Fungi. Bloomings Books, Melbourne. iNaturalist Australia inaturalist.ala.org.au Young A (2005) A Field Guide to the Fungi of Australia. New South Wales University Press, Sydney. Acknowledgements Research, photography and text: Alison Pouliot. All images © Alison Pouliot

Produced in September 2020. Whilst all due care has been taken to ensure the contents of this brochure are accurate, no legal responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions.