Podoserpula pusio (Berk.) D.A. Reid Kew. Bull. 16: 438 (1963)

Image © Nigel Sinnott Reproduced by permission Common Name: Pagoda fungus

A tiny orange-pink fairy castle of a fungus, usually found within tree stumps. Literally: a little creeping foot. (Pous [Gr.] - foot; serpo [L.] - I creep.)

• Pileus/cap

  A series of 4-14 pilei are arranged in tiers up the stipe. The pilei are pale apricot to salmon pink, with pink and yellowish concentric zones with paler margins. Pilei or lobes are kidney-shaped to ovate, slightly funnel-shaped. Diameter of each lobe is 0.4 - 2.5cm, decreasing towards the tip of stipe. Margin undulating, slightly inrolled. Upper surface dry, smooth, suede like. Flesh thin, white.

• Stipe/stem

  6-7.5cm high, 0.1-0.5cmm in diameter. Tapering downwards towards base. Round to somewhat flattened. Circular tufts of hyphae at base. Same colour as pilei.

• Hymenial layer

  Spore bearing layer (no true lamellae/gills): on lower surface of pilei, forming a series of blunt, undulating ridges or folds. These are decurrent ending abruptly at stipe. Hymenial layer paler than upper surface of pileus.

• Spores

  Spore print white.

• Habitat

  Inside or near well rotted stumps.

• References

  Bougher, N & Syme, K. Fungi of Southern Australia, pp. 326-327

  Fuhrer, B. Field Companion to Australian Fungi p. 132

Distribution map

Last modified on 28 May 2001

Maintained by Mike McBain

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