Beech Orange

Beech Orange Photographer - Bruce Fuhrer

Cythana gunnii

This remarkable 'colonial cup fungus' is found on Nothofagus cunninghamii in Australia. It has apparently evolved with Nothofagus on which it produces galls, sometimes very large when on old trees.

It is not known to cause damage to the host trees.

It is reported to have been used for food by Aboriginal people.

Closely related species grow on closely related Nothofagus trees in South America - evidence that the two lands were once connected.