Native Fungi

Unique, essential, extravagant - our native fungi are truly remarkable. Surprisingly, they are not part of the plant kingdom. In fact, in some respects they have more in common with animals. Their structure is so unique that scientists now put fungi in a kingdom all of their own.

It is believed there are over 100,000 different types of fungi, many of them visible only through the microscope.  The parts we usually see are only the fruiting bodies - structures that can pop up like magic overnight, solely for producing and distributing spores. The real 'engine room' of fungi are the tiny tentacles, thin as threads that the organisms spread around their immediate vicinity to obtain their food.

Fungi are essential to the ecosystem of our forests and bush. They de-compose dead plant or animal material and recycle minerals locked up in organic material that trees and plants could not otherwise absorb.

They come in an astonishing array of shapes and vivid, even extravagant, colours. Mostly there is no real rhyme or reason for this display. It is simply that fungi do not need the chemical for photosynthesis that makes other plants mostly green because fungi feed themselves in a totally different way. Free from this restriction, they have evolved into what have been described as "the colourful hippies of the forest".

The native fungi featured in this stamp issue are considered inedible. Remember, unless you are absolutely certain about fungus the rule is look, but don't eat!

Hygrocybe rubrocarnosa - 40c
One of the most vivid and eerily beautiful of our native fungi, in a classic toadstool shape, generally found in autumn in mixed forests around Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Wellington.

Entoloma hochstetteri - 80c
This striking blue mushroom type fungus is found in soil, moss and on rotting wood, generally in autumn, right around the country. This species can vary from a very bright blue to duller shades.

Aseroe rubra - 90c
Looking more like a sea anemone, with its waving Medusa-like petals, this is actually a scarlet flower fungus. Its spores are produced in the slimy mucus located in the centre. Found from February to May in beech and mixed forests' leaf litter.

Hericium coralloides - $1.30
An icicle fungus, much-branched with many spines from each branch that are soft to the touch when young. Found through autumn and early winter in South Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wellington and Nelson.

Thaxterogaster porphyreus - $1.50
Of the mushroom types of fungi, this variety is something of an anomaly. Instead of dispersing its spores aerially by opening its cap, it attracts insects and probably birds which feed on the cap, consume the spores and distribute them through their wastes.

Ramaria aureorhiza - $2.00
A 'coral' fungi. These are related to the mushrooms, but produce spores over the whole surface of the fruiting body instead of solely on the gills under the cap. Found mainly in the Waikato and Wanganui areas.

All images are reproduced with the kind permission of Don Horne Photography.

Miniature Sheet
Incorporating the six stamps from this issue this miniature sheet was issued in conjunction with the stamps.

Limited Edition Miniature Sheet
This imperforate miniature sheet was produced for inclusion in the 2000 Native Fungi Limited Edition Collectors Pack. Each sheet was individually numbered from one through to 2,000.

 Technical details

Date of Issue: 6 March 2002
Designer: DNA Design, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Stamp Size: 30mm x 40mm
Sheet Size: 25
Paper Type: De la Rue 103gsm red phosphor stamp paper
Perforation: 14