Underground Fungus

	Garlic Scented Fungus Photographer - Bruce Fuhrer
	Native Bread Photographer - Bruce Fuhrer
	Native Bread Photographer - Bruce Fuhrer

Garlic Scented Fungus Mesophellia sp.

These 'crusty' balls, up to 4cm across occur in clusters below the ground surface.

When mature, especially after fire, the fungi emit a strong garlic-like odour, which attract animals like bandicoots and wombats.

The fungi are excavated and the firm cores eagerly consumed. An important food reserve following bush fires.

Native Bread
Polyporus mylittae

This interesting fungus forms an underground sclerotia (food storage organ) which may grow over many decades to a large mass weighing several kilograms.

Fire stimulates fruiting when food reserves are consumed.

The sclerotios are eagerly eaten by forest animals and birds when other food is scarce or unavailable following bush fires.