Some colourful fungi in the Lane Cove area –
Hygrocybe collucera
Most of the fungi I photographed were waxcaps – members of the family Hygrophoraceae. However, when compared to last year the number out was much smaller – both in total quantity and variety. I expect this is probably due to the season being much drier.
Hygrocybe reesiae
In this area, a creek flows through the middle of the park – and some of the fungi growing close to the creekbed show a disturbing problem – the presence of Rosecomb. This is an morphological abnormality where the fungus has gills growing on the top of the cap. It is thought to be due to the presence of hydrocarbon pollution – particularly diesel fuel. The only other place I have seen fungi with Rosecomb was one example found at Wolli Creek very close to the M5 Exhaust Stack.
Hygrocybe reesiae with Rosecomb
Here are some of the other waxcaps that I photographed –
And another fungus –
And a few orchids –
Did you spot the bugs? The greenhood has a spider inside and the second one has a small bug on top.
More photographs are on my website here.