fungi llawarra i fungi of the physical characteristics · some fungi form essential partnerships...

Cluster of False Parasols, Chlorophyllum molybdites. Image: IFSG

Cloud Ear Fungi (also known as Wood Ear Fungi) in Elizabeth Brownlee Reserve. Image: Peter Butler

Mycelium. Image: Caren Taylor

Spore print by IFSG (Illawarra Fungal Studies Group)

Happy Fungi Spotting!

Mycenea sp. Image: Caren Taylor

What’s lurking in your backyard and local environment?

An introductory reference for gardenersand outdoor enthusiasts

Fungi of the lllawarra


More Information

Helpful information includes:

• Hunter Local Land Services publication ‘A guide to the common fungi of the Hunter and Central Rivers Region’ www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter (2014)

• The Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc www.sydneyfungalstudies.org.au

• Common fungi of coastal New South Wales - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries 2016

If you would like to contribute to the collection of information on distribution, species diversity and abundance of fungi you can send photos and fungi sighting information to the Australian Fungi Map www.fungimap.org.au, a non-profit citizen science organisation dedicated to improving knowledge and conservation of Australia’s fungi.

Thank you to all the people who generously contributed images and feedback for this brochure.

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

Thanks to the Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc. and the Illawarra Fungal Studies Group for reviewing the content and providing photos.

Copyright 2017

Cover image of Beletullus emodensis by Alison Mellor

Ecological Role

Fungi live in every type of ecosystem on earth from forests, wetlands, backyards, farms and even the mulch in the shopping centre car park!

Some fungi form essential partnerships with plants known as a mycorrhizal relationship, collecting nutrients and water from the soil and then passing these onto plant roots. Others are parasitic and feed off a live host. Some live off dead plants and animals, helping them to break-down and release nutrients back into our soil.

Fungi-friendly GardenFungi play an important role in decomposition and nutrient recycling in our environment. They help to create stable healthy soils and without them plants are not able to thrive. You can encourage fungi in your garden by:

• Using natural organic gardening products and avoiding chemicals

• Using plant based mulch like wood chips

• Having a diverse range of plants in your garden


This brochure is designed to give you a glimpse into the diverse and unique world of Fungi. The examples are of large easy to see fungi that you are likely to spot in the Illawarra region.

Fungi have unique and interesting characteristics that are more related to animals than plants. From mushrooms to yeasts and moulds, the diversity of fungi is truly amazing.

Fungi are the second most diverse group of organisms in the world, after insects. Despite this they are the most poorly studied.

Fungi are complex, and it takes expertise to correctly identify them. Although many species are commercially grown, foraged and eaten there are many species that are extremely toxic and even deadly!

As a general rule you should NEVER eat any wild fungi and always wash your hands after you touch them.

Physical Characteristics

Have you ever been digging in the mulch and discovered a web of white stringy fibres? It could be that you have uncovered the main body of a type of fungi. These long fibrous masses are known as mycelium.

The familiar part of the fungi that we often see popping up in our garden is the ‘fruiting body’ of this mycelium. These fruiting parts produce spores, which help the fungi reproduce. They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and textures. The fruiting bodies only spring up when environmental conditions are just right, often after rain.


Because fungi are so incredibly diverse they are often grouped based on their shape, colour and textures of their fruiting bodies. These features can help with their identification.

The spores can also be used to help identify fungi as different groups of fungi have different spore characteristics. The best way to identify using spores is to make a spore print.

Lichens are the product of a special relationship between a fungus and an algae or bacteria where both benefit from each other. The fungus provides a structure to house the algae or bacteria which then generate energy from the sun to share with the fungus.









Fungi of the lllawarra Fungi of the lllawarra

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Copyright 2017


Ecological Role






























More Information









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Ecological Role




















Macrolepiota clelandii Parasol Mushroom

Corprinellus disseminatesFairy Bonnet/Inkcaps

Geastrum triplexCollared Earth Star

Aseroe rubraAnemone Stinkhorn

Aatomyces turgidusPeppery Coral

Auricularia corneaWood Ear Fungi

Trametes versicolor

Coprinus comatusLawyers Wig

Amanita muscariaFly Agaric

Lycoperdon Species

Lieodictyon gracileLattice or Basket Fungi

Clavaria alboglobospor

Tremella mesentericaYellow Brain

Pycnoporus coccineusScarlet Bracket

Often found in Eucalypt woodlands and rainforest growing from soil amongst leaf litter. Mushroom cap appears to be standing on a pedestal.

They have inky black gills and hollow stems with small bell-shaped caps. Often occur in large distinctive groups.

One of the largest earth stars that starts off as a ball with a pointed tip. Outer layers split peeling back into a star shape.

Red star shaped fruit body that emerges from a gelatinous egg that smells like rotting meat attracting flies to disperse the spores.

One of the largest earth stars that starts off as a ball with a pointed tip. Outer layers split peeling back into a star shape,

Has distinct branching pattern that forms from a flat circular pad that develops from the tip.

Convex to ear-shaped bracket, upper surface dull dark brown, grey and is very densely velvety.

Tough irregular fan shaped bracket that are very variable in colour. Found on decomposing logs.

Mostly found in disturbed areas such as parks, gardens and roadsides.

Found commonly around exotic trees such as Pines, Birch and Beech. This fungi is extremely toxic!

A large rounded fungi with a leathery nature, dimpled pattern at maturity.

Immature fungi emerges from the egg shaped structure often quite abruptly to form a circular lattice cage.

Grows in dense clumps in eucalyptus forest and heathland.

Bright yellow to orange, forming a irregular lobed gelatinous mass in wet vegetation types

Bright orange-red when fresh, fan shaped, convex, dry, smooth, corky and hard. Found growing on dead wood.

Examples of fungi of the lllawarraGilled Fungi Agarics

Mostly your typical mushroom shaped with a cap, stem and gills (however some lack the stem). They are usually soft and fleshy.

PuffballsGenerally round in form with

dry powdery spores.

StinkhornsSpores that are slimy and foul smelling, forming

from a egg shaped structure.

BoletesMushroom shaped fruit bodies with pores

instead of gills. Spores are developed along vertically aligned tubes within pores.

Coral FungiSimple club shaped or a multi-branched

coral shape. Spores are produced on the entire outer surface of fruiting body.

Jelly FungiFruit bodies are gelatinous, spores are produced

on outer surface of fruit body.

Leathers and PolyporesHard and woody/leathery texture with pores on the

under surface. Also known as Bracket Fungi.

Boletellus emodensis

Easily recognised by its red and pink colouring and large upturned scales.

Suillus granulatusSlippery Jacks

Very sticky cap which is usually covered in debris and been eaten by insects. Found under pine trees.

Life modeMycorrhizal - Has a beneficial relationship with a plantSaprotrophic - Breaks down dead and decaying plant and animal matterParasitic - Takes nutrients from a living plant or animal

originNative - Australian originCosmopolitan - found throughout the world, origin unknownExotic - introduced from another country

Image: Alison Mellor



Image: Alison Mellor Image: Judith Gover (SFSGI)

Image: Alison Mellor Image: Caren TaylorImage: IFSG

Image: IFSG Image: IFSG Image: IFSG

Image: Caren Taylor

Image: Gaye Drady

Image: ISFG Image: ISFG

Image: ISFG

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fungi llawarra i fungi of the physical characteristics · some fungi form essential partnerships...

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