The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

I am looking for an example of the beech strawberry fungus (Cyttaria gunnii) which lives on Silver Beech trees. Can anybody point me to sites in the greater Wellington area where it has been found?

Try asking the mycologists at Landcare Research - Dr Peter Johnston ([email protected]) or Dr Peter Buchanan ([email protected]) are worth trying. I personally don't know of it around the immediate Wellington where its host is uncommon but have seen it once on Mt Holdsworth - over 20 years ago - just past the former hut site. Tony Silbery (DOC, Wairarapa) may be able to help - try him at [email protected]

Thanks Peter I will follow that up. Mt Holdsworth is a good option.

Mike it may not be too late but an early morning Cook St ferry, drive to St Arnaud and walk to the head of the lake. There used to be a very reliable tree over the track on the TL of the Travers Valley about 15minutes up from Coldwater Hut where the shortcut to Lakehead Hut joins. It was usually in full swing in the first week of November. Just remember it is National Park, so collection without a permit would constitute an offence.
If you miss the fruiting this year, host trees are readily identified by the numerous thickenings around outer branches, so you can look out for handy host trees between now and next season.

Thanks Graeme. The South Island certainly looks to be the place to find it. I had a most enjoyable day looking for it on Mt Holdsworth on 2 Nov but failed to find any. The experts at Landcare have pointed to several Lewis Pass tracks as a more likley option and now I have your Coldwater hut as another option. I will plan a trip south next November or maybe squeeze in something spontaneous this week. My interest is in photography - the fungus itself is quite safe. :-)

No problems Mike, a sturdy tripod or a steady hand, long lens, morning sun on a yellow ball with a blue sky behind, magic.
Good camping up there if it is still allowed and if the cross valley track has moved it is in the forest between the Coldwater springs and the grassy flats. If it's on, there will be fruit all over the ground. Oh and I'm not worried, I've seen it elsewhere but this is the easiest to locate. For the gourmet, bland, slightly nutty, slightly sweet and crunchy sauteed in butter.

Just been at St Arnaud looking for orchids. There is, on the track which leads the close to the old church, and about 30m from the road, a tree with many Cyttaria on it, as there were a couple of years ago too.

Thanks Mike and Graeme. I have also checked Mt Climie in Upper Hutt without success. I now plan to visit St Arnaud / Lewis pass area in Nov next. Thanks for all the tips. Mike J