Our Native Shrubby Violet, Hybanthus floribundus

Herewith one of the prettiest of the wildflowers here.

That's a big call, but it is not only pretty when you look closely, but "glows" from a distance in the winter light.

Over a year ago now, a weeding team, funded by DENR came in and removed a large patch of Erica.
It was not until THIS winter that we realised the Erica had overgrown Hybanthus.
They are now visible and flourishing in the open on very rocky ground.

As can be seen,  they had also to contend with Watsonias, which had been poisoned something like 10 years ago by the previous owner (our son) with the help of DENR then too.

The best news; in that now-cleared area there are as many as 20 Hybanthus, some of them young seedlings and more than ever seen before on the whole of this block.

Fearing that they might now be "over-exposed" to the Summer heat, we will revegetate the area with an Hakea carinata to provide some gentle cover.

Related Links:
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:89314
http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/cgi-bin/speciesfacts_display.cgi?form=speciesfacts&family=&genus=Hybanthus&species=floribundus&iname=&submit=Display

http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/scotia/key/Plants%20and%20Fungi%20of%20south%20western%20NSW/Media/Html/Hybanthus_floribundus_ssp._floribundus.htm

*surfaces ... to Fungi *

After an alarmingly dry start to the year our Year_To_Date rainfall is 255mm,

85mm of that has fallen in this last three weeks ie relatively recently, as you'd expect, it being winter here in Australia.

As a consequence not only is my rainwater tank full and overflowing (all 20,00 gallons of it) but the bush is looking beautiful
It is a joy to be out there, though cold.

The only fungus I have photographed this year has been this one.

An eFriend on ipernity, champion that she is,  has offered the following ID clues;

imbala

Ramaria sp.?

R. flaccida up to 55mm high; 

R. lorithamnus up to 100mm high)
Aphelaria sp.? (up to 200mm high)

This specimen was about 100mm at its tallest. 

As I began my hunt through the old photos for clues and prior suggestions I came to morrie's blog, which speaks for itself.

https://morrie2.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/ramaria-ochreosalmonicolor-a-confusing-species/

I know I have seen it in previous years ... these two shots from 2010.

At that time, I asked for help and was told
"Start looking here ...

a coral fungus

museumvictoria.com.au/forest/plants/coral.html



"Try searching images of Clavaria / Clavaroid fungi

some species are fungal symbionts in some lichens ...    you have candlesnuff fungus, dead mans fingers or coral fungus there."

So ... as you can see, it can be tricky.
So, I went to Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramaria
... and then pretty much gave up.

Well, I gave up trying to identify them, but persisted with enjoying their beauty.


In 2011, I saw this gorgeous thing, which I presume is something else again (or maybe not) but I have never seen it again.

For those who are able to help with IDs or are interested in the collection of fungi I have photographed here (and elsewhere, but marked if so), then this album might be of interest.

http://www.ipernity.com/doc/justjjoke/album/460969?with=17875703


Other (more) useful Australian links:

 http://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/fungimap.html

Long ago Bill and Morrie were active contributors to the old ABC (yes Auntie) Scribbly Gum forum and were incredibly helpful and enthusiastic fungi mentors.
Bill - http://www.elfram.com/fungi/fungi_home.html
Morrie - https://morrie2.wordpress.com/

The Weeping Fungus is back.

In 2010 I found the most beautiful fungus I had ever seen.

it was growing in amongst fallen leaves on the underside of a living Eucalyptus obliqua stump



(back later .. child is awake)
...
It took ages to find someone who could help with an ID and eventually I was referred to Pamela Catchside ...
Last word:
I am delighted to have had this fungus identified by Pam Catcheside

Editor, Fungimap Newsletter,
Honorary Research Associate,
State Herbarium of South Australia,
Plant Biodiversity Centre,
Dept for Environment & Heritage,


Among the photos of thata first find are these two.


and



I have watched that site very closely in the interveneing years, but no sign of it.

Then, last week, in a quite new site about 60 metres away, another.

Yet again, the site is under a slight overhang of the base of a Messmate (E obliqua).

This is the general view.

and looking closer ...

and closer again ...

and again ... 

   and lucky last for today.

Inonotus dryadeus,  The Weeping Bracket Fungus, 

Coral Fungi

Here are three photos of the Coral Fungus I have here.
One photo was taken last year, so it is good to know it is back again.

I believe it is a Ramaria sp, but more than that I do not know ... yet.

Once again, any offers of further help with identifying these gorgeous things would be appreciated.