Secotium fragariosum - the red semi truffle from Lord Howe Island

Secotium fragariosum is only recorded as being found on Lord Howe Island (Cribb 1994). It is halfway between being a gilled fungus and a truffle.

We found numerous specimens growing apparently in soil, on buried wood and half buried Norfolk Island palm fronds throughout the northern half of Lord Howe Island in early June 2017. The fungi have small bright red deeply inrolled caps, deeply convoluted and complex pink gills only truly visible by peeling back the cap, and white to pale pink striate stipes. They have a strong earthy mushroom smell.