Cyttaria gunnii

Image © David Catcheside Reproduced by permission Common Name: Beech Orange

A fungus of unique form, growing only on Myrtle Beech. Mature fruit bodies have a dimpled surface.

• Fruit body

  Spherical, around 4 cm in diameter, and yellow to apricot orange. The surface is initially smooth, and then a thin membrane ruptures to reveal numerous dimples. The surface becomes darker around the mouth of each dimple. Spores are produced on the inner surfaces of the dimples.

• Smell

  None

• Habitat

  Always grows parasitically in clusters on galls on branches of Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii). Unusual in producing fruit bodies in spring rather than autumn.

• Comments

  Utilised as food by Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia.

• References

  Fuhrer, B. (1993) A field companion to Australian fungi. The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. Marks, G.C., Fuhrer, B.A. & Walters, N.E.M. (1982) Tree diseases in Victoria. Forests Commission Victoria, Handbook No. 1. Forests Commission.

Distribution map

Last modified on 28 May 2001

Maintained by Mike McBain

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