I took part in the Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc field activity day at Wolli Creek. This was a joint activity with Wolli Creek Preservation Society.
On the day, we met at Girrawheen Park at Earlwood and then divided into groups to look for fungi in different section of the Creek. I joined a group going from Bexley North back to Girrawheen Park.
Recent dry conditions meant that not too much fungi was out, but we still found some interesting things. On the way, I pointed out to Judith from SFSGI a few puffballs that I had seen on an earlier trip, and she straight away recognised them as an unusual and rare species (even thought to be possibly extinct in Australia). These puffballs, a type of Earth Star, are Myriostoma coliforme, and have multiple holes that release spores.
Myriostoma coliforme
We also found several very large boletes.
Phlebopus marginatus
The Wolli Creek Preservation Society have done some amazing bush regeneration along Wolli Creek. We then headed back to Girrawheen Park, for lunch and to see what the other groups had found.
Hygrocybe austropratensis
One group had found a very rare and critically endangered Hygrocybe austropratensis. Very interesting and quite large.
Very tiny cup fungi
This was a good day out and for me a good learning experience with a group of people very willing to share their expertise.
Strange fungi on a stick – with very tiny teeth
Lichen (an exercise in focus stacking for me)
Puffing a puffball to release spores
More photos are on my website here.