Ascomycetes | Basidiomycetes | Classifications | Fruit Body Structure | Slime Molds
Xylaria Daldinia
This is a group of very tough textured mushrooms. Some look like stones as in Daldinia and others are coral like in appearance and can be confused for twigs as in Xylaria.
Daldinia Concentrica (Charcoal fungus)
Also called `King Alfred's` cake. Found throughout July, 2000 at Te Mata
Trust Park in Havelock North, Manawatu Gorge in Palmerston North and
Boundary Stream, growing on dead wood.
Very tough stone or charcoal like structure. About 2-8cm in diameter and
about 4-5cm high. No stem, attached to woody material. Has an attractive
shiny surface when fresh.
Edibility: Not edible
Xylaria Hypoxylon
(Candle snuff fungus)
Found in both Pamerston North and Havelock North through out July, 2000.
Grows on dead wood and has quite a tough texture. Stalk present and branched
at the top.
All parts of this
mushroom are black in colour except for the very tips, these are white.
Fruit body 1.5-5cm tall.
Edibility: Not
edible
Xylaria Polymorpha (Dead man's fingers)
Yeomans Track 26/10/03.
This is an interesting mushroom growing on dead wood.
Dry tough body with a black short stem. Upper half (or two thirds), brown,
dry and seems to be finely cracked.
The flesh is white on the inside. And just below the outer brown layer, you
can see the spore sacs that produce the spores for this mushroom.
Edibility: Not Edible.
WARNING
Different people react differently to different mushrooms.
NEVER eat a wild mushroom without being 100% sure it is safe to do so.
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Last Update
4 Feb 2007