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Forest and Bird, Volume 17, Issue 3, 1 August 1986, Unnumbered Page

biquitous U and the ephemeral, properties fungi too. have Some are very toxic and rank ing among the most highly regarded of of inter long fascinated both researchers and casual observers alike. Their range of form, size and colour is phenomenal. So too, their ability to appear overnight, as if from nowhere, and transform a dull field or forest floor with their colourful diversity. What the casual observers see when they pick up a toadstool or mushroom is merely the fruitbody, the part that produces and releases the spores. The true body or mycelium of the fungus lies hidden within the soil or wood in which it is growing. Pull a rotting log to pieces and you will see lots of mycelium, the thin white threads that are slowly reducing log to dust. 3 Of course, fungi have other fasci just one or two spoonsful can be d@ On the other hand, some are edible, culinary delights. One final point est; many of our New Zealand fungi have not yet been well researched — there’s ? doubtless many more new species yet to _be discovered!