To quote @Heino1 from a CNM 29 April 2022 sighting: "An unusual sighting - Amanita muscaria in native vegetation, with no nearby pines, birches, oaks, etc - its usual symbiotic partners. From recollection the nearest would be the pines near the base of the Black Mountain road, or the pines & oaks in the CSIRO grounds. This introduced species has been reported from some native forest areas in Australia and New Zealand but this is the first time I've seen it in the ACT with no exotic trees within 'partnership' range. I've just collected some to have a permanent herbarium record of this species in the gardens." Two years later, the fungi are thriving at this ANBG location and with some large specimens.
So interesting,. which trees/plants are they growing with now? Here on the coast we only find them beneath the pines & oaks which we're planted during early settlement
These are at the same spot as Tim's earlier sighting and are growing amongst a stand of mature (and very tall) Nothofagus moorei – with a tall eucalypt a little further away. There’s a study of Amanita muscaria and Nothofagus in Dunk et al (2012: Characterisation of ectomycorrhizal formation by the exotic fungus Amanita muscaria with Nothofagus cunninghamii in Victoria, Australia; Mycorrhiza 22: 135–147) This is available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51128306_Characterisation_of_ectomycorrhizal_formation_by_the_exotic_fungus_Amanita_muscaria_with_Nothofagus_cunninghamii_in_Victoria_Australia). For more about Amanita muscaria in Australia see Lebel et al (2024: Confirming the presence of five exotic species of Amanita in Australia and New Zealand; Swainsona 38: 1–44). Open access at; https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/JABG38P001_Lebel.pdf).
Thanks @Heino1 and @TimL great info. Yes I've read Lebel et al paper, just curious about the trees in the gardens as we haven't had any sightings reported with eucalypts here that I'm aware of. T
Describe how you intend to use these images and/or audio files and your request will be sent to the author for consideration.
Your request has been successfully submitted to the author for consideration.
2,158,798 sightings of 20,009 species in 6,555 locations from 11,691 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.