Natures Art: A world of amazing shapes and colours

Colour, shape and texture help to identify some of the more unique fungi species in the Margaret River bushland. Below are three of my favourite species found regularly on my bushwalking expeditions;

Anthracophyllum Archeri: The Red Beauty

Anthracophyllum archeri is a striking species known for its vivid colors and distinctive features. This fungus stands out with its bright red to orange hues, making it a real eye-catcher in the undergrowth.

• Size and Shape: The fruiting body of Anthracophyllum archeri is usually quite small to medium-sized, with a shape that can vary from rounded to more irregular.

• Color: Its most notable feature is its brilliant red to orange color, which can sometimes fade to a more subdued hue with age.

• Finding Anthracophyllum Archeri: This species tends to grow on decaying wood or forest litter, often in shaded, damp environments.

  

  Anthracophyllum archeri- One of my favorite fungi to photograph with its striking orange and red hues.

Aleurina Ferruginea: Fleshy Cup Fungus

Aleurina ferruginea, also known as the Fleshy Cup Fungus, is an interesting species that adds a touch of texture and colour to the forest floor.

• Size and Shape: Aleurina ferruginea is generally small, forming a smooth shallow cup. It’s texture has a rubbery appearance with small pustules around the outer rim.

• Colour: Yellowish/brown through to shades of green, browning more with age

• Finding Aleurina Ferruginea: Look for it in soil, especially in humid, shaded environments where it can thrive. Commonly found on uninhabited termite nests.

  

  Aleurina Ferruginea: The Fleshy Cup Fungus.

Coltricia: The Radiant Shelf Fungus

Coltricia is a genus of fungi known for its shelf-like structures and vibrant colors. These fungi add a splash of brightness to the forest, with their striking patterns and shapes.

• Size and Shape: Coltricia fungi typically form shelf-like, bracket structures. Their shapes can range from circular to more irregular, wavy forms. The texture resembles velvet.

• Color: They often display bright colors such as yellow, orange, or even white, with patterns that can vary greatly between species. I always think of Tiger-eye gem stones when I see them.

• Finding Coltricia: These fungi are commonly found in sandy areas and on the sides of trails, I have also found them around the base of old termite mounds.

Coltricia sp. The 'Tiger Eye' of the mushroom world.

Conclusion

Encountering these diverse fungi— Anthracophyllum archeri, Aleurina ferruginea, and Coltricia—was a reminder of the incredible variety within the fungal kingdom. Each species brought its own unique flair to the forest floor, from the velvet beauty of Coltricia to the rusty charm of Aleurina ferruginea. Fungi is all around us, if you stop and look a little closer you never know what magic you will see?