Claustula fischeri
Common name
Fischer’s egg
Family
Phallaceae, Basidiomycetes
Flora category
Fungi – Native
Distribution
Originally collected from Fringed Hill, Nelson in August 1923. Found subsequently in the same area in July 1927, April 1955, April 1986, and from the same general area, Dun Mountain track in February 1928. Three collections from Bryant Range, track to Fringed Hill were made in May 2004. It was also collected from Rocky Hill, Wairarapa in June 1980. What is considered to be the same fungus has been reported from several sites in Tasmania, including a protected area on Mt Wellington, near Hobart.
Fruiting
April
Threats
This fungus is known from only two sites. In part this must reflect collecting activity, as collection of truffleoid fungi requires special skills and is time-consuming. Nevertheless, there are sufficient collections of these fungi to indicate that the species is uncommon (i.e., found once in about 1500 collections of truffleoid fungi spread amongst about 100 taxa). At one site, Fringed Hill, Nelson it is associated with Nothofagus fusca on a bush margin at risk from fire.
Substrate
Original specimens found growing at a height of 450 m above sea level, “near the edge of a path, among moss and practically under Leptospermum scoparium”.
Where held
PDD, OSU, BPI (holotype)
Extant collections
7