The
Grange 
Fungi
The Grange Fungi
Fungi: A Fascinating Feature of The
Grange
Fungi are an integral and intriguing part of the ecology of
the heathland communities in The Grange. They often stand out
in The Grange because of their unusual appearance. There are
many different and unusual shaped fungi to be seen, including
coral, puffball, and jelly fungi. Bright colours of some
fungus stand out during the autumn and winter months in The
Grange, when there are few flowers about. There are even the
Ghost Fungi that glow in the dark!
|
(Photos: Ilma Dunn)
|
By Day
|
By Night
|
Fungi: An Important Part of The
Grange
Fungus plays a very important role in the health of the
bushland in The Grange. Fungus lives by eating organic
matter. As fungi consume the organic matter, they release
carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere and nutrients back
into the soil. Plants and animals recycle these nutrients, so
that life can continue to flourish.
In the heathland of The Grange fungus also plays a hidden
role helping many plants. Fungal mycorrhizae grow
together with plant roots in the soil. The fungus provides
the plant with phosphorus, an element essential for plant
growth. In return the plant provides the fungi with
carbohydrates for energy. This is known as a mutualistic
symbiotic relationship. Plants in The Grange which need
mycorrhizae include the Eucalypts. It is also believed that
seeds of some native plant species need fungus to breakdown
a protective coat before they can germinate.
Fungus is often associated with disease in plants. Whilst
not always welcome in the home garden, indigenous fungus plays
an important role of removing unhealthy plants, and
controlling populations in natural systems such as The
Grange. Rotting trees also provide habitat for native
fauna, such as tree hollows for birds.
Toadstools: Just The Tip of The
Iceberg
The parts of fungi most commonly seen are the toadstools,
mushrooms and bracket fungus, which grow on the sides of
trees or logs. These parts are known as the fruiting bodies
because they contain the spores of the fungus. The
mushroom is not the whole fungus; it is equivalent to a
Banksia cone or an apple. The majority of the fungus is
underground, or in a log or tree. It forms large dense mats
of fine hair-like structures known as hyphae.
Basic structure of the Agaric, a Basidomycetes
fungus.