Flourishing Fungi at Highett Grassy Woodland
Bayside conservationist and Banksia Bulletin contributor, John Eichler, talks about the fungi recorded on a recent trip to the Highett Grassy Woodland in July this year.
These images appear larger in the gallery box
The following article is taken from the Banksia Bulletin – spring 2024 edition.
Words and photos by John Eichler.
What lifeforms can be found at the Highett Grassy Woodland, a reserve of 3 hectares that supports impressive stands of River Red Gum and Yellow Box trees?
Our Conservation Management Plan for this reserve documents the indigenous and introduced plants that grow there, but what of other lifeforms?
Volunteers, Citywide and Council staff who visit the reserve have made photographic records of some of the insects, spiders and other invertebrates that live in or visit the reserve. Records have also been kept of birds seen or heard in the reserve.
On 30 July 2024, Pauline Reynolds and I visited the reserve to record any fungi that might be present. The visit took place at the end of the fungi season, following good rain in July. May to June is usually the prime time for fungi but conditions this year were unfavourable due to low rainfall during those months. We plan to return at that time next year to record what emerges.
During our visit, we observed more than 30 species of fungi, three lichens (a combination of an alga and a fungus) and two slime moulds. A selection of images of these fungi are included here. They illustrate various forms, including gilled fungi, brackets, jelly fungi and puffballs.
A variety of invertebrates are associated with fungi, including springtails, fungus flies and fungus beetles. We were pleased to find two specimens of the attractive fungus beetle, Thallis dentipes.
The most productive fungal habitat was a large collection of logs that have been placed near the centre of the reserve. At the time of our visit, fungi growing on these logs and bark debris were flourishing, producing an impressive display. The number and abundance of fungi here is likely to diminish gradually as nutrients are exhausted and the logs break down.
Relatively few species of fungi were found growing on soil but in a good year more species are likely to be seen in this habitat earlier in the season.
Images of all fungi and slime moulds we observed can be viewed on the citizen science website, iNaturalist. The following link can be used to access observations of various lifeforms recorded to date and when new observations are added. Visit inaturalist.org/observations
If you would like to volunteer to help study or care for this reserve, please get in touch through Council or by emailing highettgrassywoodland@gmail.com.
