A dry hot summer followed by cooling damp autumn usually results in massive fruiting of fungi. A forayers dream. Where as a mild summer followed by a mild autumn with periodic rain and no rapid cooling temperatures usually results in fruiting over a long period but never really significant. A forayers disappointment when having to plan field dates well in advance.
As you can see from the information sign that while Otari is cooler and damper than Wellington City it is still pretty mild climate. And this year has been very mild. So, here we are at about to run the first Otari foray since 2019, thanks Covid, and its been warm and dry for the last few weeks. Ahh! Anyway I went out on Friday, 23 April, to scope the situation and here’s what I found.
Growing in wood mulch in the native plant garden (bed 1: plants for the home garden). Only two older fruitbodies. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/74997920
Growing in wood mulch in the native plant garden (bed 13: divaricate collection). Only one mature fruitbodies and a couple of “eggs”. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/74998397
This is in the same place as those I photographed last year https://sporesmouldsandfungi.wordpress.com/2020/04/24/making-the-best-of-lockdown/
Growing in wood mulch in the native plant garden (bed 12: northern collection). https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75006624
Growing in wood mulch in the native plant garden (bed 12: northern collection). https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75006428
On living totara (Podocarpus totara) in conifer grove by information centre. A number of small fruitbodies scattered on the lower trunk. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/74996494
Growing in litter in the native conifer grove by information centre. A single fruitbody. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/74997343
Growing on lawn edge (Kauri Lawn) next to native bush. Only 3 fruitbodies and these were mowed over half an hour later. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/74999139
Growing in wood mulch in the Fernery about 2m in from the Kauri Lawn. Only one mature fruitbodies. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/74999754
Growing in wood mulch in the Fernery about 2m in from the Kauri Lawn. Many fruitbodies scattered across the tracks in this area. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75000299
Growing in wood mulch in the Fernery about 2m in from the Kauri Lawn. Many fruitbodies scattered across the tracks in this area. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75000898
Growing in fallen branch in the Fernery about 2m in from the Kauri Lawn. Scattered clumps of fruitbodies all through this area. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75001282
Growing in litter in bush adjacent to the Fernery. Only two very mature fruitbodies. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75001710
Growing in the canopy of a living tawa (Beilschimedia tawa) in the upper Fernery. This fungus has fruited regularly from this tree every year for over 10 years. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75001928
Growing on very rotten wood in 38 degrees garden. Only one mature fruitbodies. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75002470
Growing on very rotten wood in 38 degrees garden. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75002942
Growing in leaf litter 38 degrees garden. Only one mature fruitbodies. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75003195
Growing on fallen trunk of tawa (Beilschimedia tawa) in the 38 degree garden. This fungus has fruited regularly from this tree every year for over 10 years. Only one fruitbody seen. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75003395
Growing on very rotten wood in 38 degrees garden. Only one mature fruitbodies. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75003671
Growing at the base of a living tawa (Beilschimedia tawa) half way along the track, on the steps, to the waterfall below the 38 degree garden. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75004193
Growing on very rotten tree fern trunk on side of the Circular track above the waterfall. Has distinctive vinaceous colouring. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75005376
Jerry Cooper noted “looks like pura group – section calodontes. We have a few on wood , with some bioluminescent.” I took them in to a dark room and while I could see the dial of my watch I could not see any glow from the mushrooms.
Growing on untreated wood used to edge walkway in the Fernery. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75005959
Growing at the edge of the gravel path to the left of the Notice Board in the carpark. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75006222
