The Fungi Group aims to our “widen knowledge of fungi in the field”. We conduct a series of fortnightly forays to various locations within easy drive of Melbourne. The forays attract a wide range of people of various ages and experience and each foray is led by experienced guides. After each foray we review, identify and document what we have found.

We also hold monthly meetings to discuss topics such as taking field notes, microscopical analysis and photography. Other areas of interest include developing field identification keys for selected genera, visiting the Melbourne Herbarium, searching for rare species, recording Fungimap targets, etc. The meetings are held at the FNCV clubhouse on the first Monday of the month.

Geoff Lay - In hot pursuit of rampaging fungi!

The group includes a number of keen photographers and plans to publish an annual CD-ROM containing a collection of images of those fungi species that we have found on our forays. The focus is on those species that can be readily and unambiguously identified in the field – we hope it will be a valuable identification guide to assist in the identification of common and distinctive species.

Left: Fungal Forayer Geoff Lay - In hot pursuit of rampaging fungi!

January Fungi of the Month
Cyttaria gunnii is a parasite of Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) It appears in November or December on galls formed by the fungus. Although this fungus looks beautiful it can be detrimental to the tree. This picture was taken at The Beeches near Marysville Vic.on 16/11/2005.
(Photo copyright Jurrie Hubregtse)

Click here to download previous Fungi's of the Month.
September: Cordyceps robertsii, a *Vegetable Caterpillar*
This fungus parisities moth larvae, usually of the genus Oxycanus, which feeds on the roots of Acacia trees. This specimen was found at Big Pats Creek near Warburton, Vic. on the 4th Sept. 2005. (Copyright Jurrie Hubregtse)

August:Fawn Bluey. This attractive species has a distinctive blue stipe and a pale fawn cap with a brown depression in the centre. Note the pink spores fallen on the lower cap. The specimen was found at Upper Yarra Reservoir on 17 July 2005. (Copyright Paul George)

July: Cortinarius sinapicolor - easily identifiable by its bright yellow colour, cap and stems thickly glutinous. Picture taken on Blackwood Foray 10th July (Copyright Arthur Carew)

June: Clavulina tasmanica. Image taken at Green's Bush Foray - June 5th by Arthur Carew. (Copyright Arthur Carew)

Here are some reports of previous Fungal Forays.

Fungal Foray at Jumping Creek Reserve Sunday 19th August 2007

Fungal Foray at Devilbend Reservoir Sunday 12th August 2007

Fungal Foray at Dom Dom Saddle Sunday 5th August 2007

Fungal Foray at The Beeches Sunday 29th July 2007

Fungal Foray at Ned’s Gully Sunday 15th July 2007

Fungal Foray at Blackwood Sunday 1st July 2007

Fungal Foray at Upper Yarra Reservoir Sunday 27th May 2007

Fungal Foray at Emerald Lake Park Sunday 13th May 2007

Fungal Foray at Kinglake National Park Sunday 6th May 2007

Fungal Foray at Bunyip State Forest Sunday 29th April 2007

Fungal Foray at Greens Bush Sunday 5th June 2005

Fungal Foray at Dom Dom Saddle Sunday 29th May 2005