Peach Bracket Fungus

Forest fungi come in almost any colour: red, yellow, white, grey, brown, black, purple, pink, green, even bright blue.

The range of shapes is incredible. These humble plants play a vital role in the ecology of the forest, recycling nutrients whenever living things die. This fellow is just as important as the mightiest kauri trees!

This specimen is growing on a kauri branch wrenched off by a storm. When its job is complete, the fallen branch will feed the ageing kauri and perhaps the new generation too.

Some types of fungi live on the roots of trees. These mycorrhizal fungi help the trees extract nutrients from the soil, so without them the great forest could not grow.