Pisolithus Tinctorius - the horse dung fungi
Around Sydney in the cooler months - June and July mainly on the verge of gravel roads and paths, one often sees what for all the world looks like a bit of horse dung.
Closer inspection often shows that new pieces of 'dung' - shiny round yellow domes - are about to erupt out of the ground. Older pieces look like they are slowly eroding away.
These are actually fungi that belong to the same family as the more familiar puffballs, and are a common occurence around the world. In Australia Pisolithus Tinctorius is known as the horse dung fungus and in Europe as the Bohemian truffle. Pisolithus tinctorius which may in fact be several closely related species. In California it is known as Dead Man’s Foot (Feet), and in Europe as Bohemian Truffle.
They love to grow in places where you would think nothing would grow - the gravelly side of dirt roads being a particularly favourite haunt. All they need is a bit of rain to start erupting. Cutting a young specimen open yields another suprise - the interior is made of gold and black 'cells' - quite unlike other fungi. Pislolithus is an excellent dyeing fungus of questionable edibility and zero appetite appeal.
Other sites on the web say it has beem used as aromatic seasoning when unripe, and even medicinally.
| Pisolithus spp | - Pisolithus species, on gravel, walk to Mt Banks, June, 2003. This fungi looks for all the world like fresh horse dung (a | |
| Pisolithus tinctoria | - Pisolithus tinctoria Moreton National Park, near Bundanoon, NSW, growing in the middle of gravelly path. About 6cms acro | |
| Pisolithus tinctoria | - Pisolithus tinctoria, Lady Game Drive verge, Killara, June 18, 2006 | |
| Pisolithus marmoratus | - Pisolithus sp (immature) NSW, Sydney, West Pymble, Gloucester Avenue Fire trial, Lane Cove National Park buried in soil | |
| Pisolithus marmoratus | - Pisolithus sp (immature - interior view) NSW, Sydney, West Pymble, Gloucester Avenue Fire trial, Lane Cove National Park | |
| Pisolithus sp | - Pisolithus sp, Beaumont Road Killara in soil heavily wood mulched, remnant iron bark community July 23, 2006 | |
| Pisolithus tinctorius | - Pisolithus tinctorius, on suburban lawn, Turramurra, Sydney, April 6, 2007. | |
