A SHORT WALK IN THE KUITPO KUSH

Kuitpo Forest, South Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. The borderlands between Kuarna country to the west and Peramangk on the east ... 

Introduced Pinus radiata on the left, introduced spotted gum on the right. Regardless of the colonial invader nature of both in these parts, I felt much more wellbeing in the eucalypt side, a sense which always reminds me of our ability to absorb such information through our biggest organ, our skin.

Scarce wildlife on either side, but plenty of fungal activity in the sod and up the trunks ... this is just over the faultline and the Willunga Escarpment from my joint. 

All these photos copyright Philip White, whether they're a tad soft of focus or not. I was just bashin em off. 

Never ever eat any fungi before you have thoroughly researched them. Or learn from a group of forensic experts like the team I was fortunate to join on this memorable walk. 

The formidable Pam Catcheside (hard at work, centre rear) took a group of dead serious fungi enthusiasts on this foray through some unremarkable but well-managed forest on the range at Kuitpo. Pam leads the Adelaide Fungal Studies Group, a member of the Field Naturalists' Club of South Australia.

That's Professor David Catcheside looking on from left. He's a leader in fungal DNA studies. He made my brain spin, too.

Although I talked a lot, I have rarely had such a thorough, profoundly educative few hours ... more coming on this when I've had a real hard think about some of what I learnt. 

Read the Catchesides' credentials by clicking on the links above. Remarkable people. Thanks to all, and to my good friend Stephen Forbes, who invited me.

To learn about fungi in Australia trust Fungimap. 

STOP PRESS: Pam (centre, above) has just distributed the list below of the fungi she identified in those few short hours with her crew. the Mushroom MI5 and 6 of our secret fungi forces ... they're scary

These photographs and forest ones below by Leo Davis.

Pam with Stephen Forbes and a lurker

ADELAIDE FUNGAL STUDIES GROUP FORAY 
SATURDAY 18^TH JUNE, 2016, KUITPO FOREST

Gilled fungi 

Agaricus sp. 
Amanita farinacea
Amanita ?grisella
Amanita muscaria
Amanita ochrophylla
Amanita umbonata
Amanita xanthocephala
Collybia butyracea
Cortinarius ?lavendulensis
Cortinarius kula
Cortinarius sp. pale yellow 
Gymnopilus allantopus
Gymnopilus eucalyptorum
Gymnopilus junonius
Gymnopilus parumbalus
Hebeloma sp. medium sized, whitish cap 
Laccaria proxima
Lactarius deliciosus
Lepiota hamemorrhagica
Lepiota sp. medium, white cap, brown disc 
Leucopaxillus eucalyptorum
Lichenomphalia chromacea
Mycena albidofusca
Mycena subvulgaris
Mycena sp. small, cream 
Mycena sp. medium, grey 
Pholiota communis
Pholiota multicingulata
Russula cheelii
Rusula lenkunya
Tricholoma eucalypticum

Boletes 
Austropaxillus infundibuliformis – gilled bolete 
Boletus sp. large, yellow, not discolouring 
Rhizopogon rubescens – truffle bolete 
Suillus granulatus
Xerocomus multicolor 

Toothed fungi/hydnoids 
Phlebia subceracea 

Coral fungi 
Ramaria lorithamnus 

Jelly fungi 
Calocera guepinioides
Dacrymyces sp. 

Earthballs 
Pisolithus arhizus 

Thin brackets 
Stereum illudens 

Truffles 
Russulaceous truffle white

Below: part of the collection of papier mache fungi and fruit in the Museum of Economic Botany in the Botanic Gardens of South Australia
 

Like many others, I can't help thinking of what some rekindled fungal activity would do should it have the chance to bring some springy life back into tired old dirt like this stuff getting a tease of a drink in the Southern Flinders ... lots to do ... understorey to start ...