— Words & images extracted from ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand’ by Ruben Mita
Aotearoa is home to a striking diversity of fungi, many of which are not only ecologically important but also edible. Found in forests, on farms and roadsides, and sometimes even in backyards, these species range from familiar culinary favourites to lesser-known native treasures.
This feature highlights six edible fungi found in Aotearoa, selected from A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand by ecologist Ruben Mita — an introductory guide that offers photographs, identification tips and notes on habitat, edibility and potential confusion with toxic species.
Whether you’re a seasoned forager or simply curious about the mushrooms beneath your feet, these species offer a glimpse into the rich fungal life of Aotearoa’s landscapes.
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1. Beech Strawberry (Beech Orange)
Cyttaria gunnii — Width 1–3cm
Description —
This tree parasite forms spherical or pear-shaped fruiting bodies, attached at a pinched narrowing end. When young, the surface is smooth and ranges from cream to peach-orange. The outer membrane then splits and retracts, revealing a lattice-like ball of big deep pores. The flesh inside the holes is yellow-cream to bright yellow, while the surface between them sometimes has darker, red or purplish tints.
Habitat —
Grows parasitically from the trunks or branches of living native beech trees, and may be found fallen on the forest floor. Often in clusters around a branch. Spring to summer.
Possible confusion —
C. pallida and C. nigra are less common and also on beech. The former is pale cream-brown, the latter dark purple-brown to black.
Edibility —
Edible.
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2. Fairy Ring Champignon (Scotch Bonnet)
Marasmius oreades — Cap 1–5cm, height 2–6cm
Description —
Initially convex, the smooth and fleshy cap becomes flat with a broad, prominent umbo, and often frays around the margin, which is sometimes striated and often minutely crenulate. The colour is pale orangeish-tan, sometimes slightly pink, and often fading to cream when dry. Gills cream, close to distant, and adnexed to free. Thin stipe slightly lighter than cap. Spore print white.
Habitat —
Grows from the ground in fields and urban grassy areas, often in a fairy ring formation. Summer to autumn.
Possible confusion —
This edible species is dangerously nondescript in appearance, although still identifiable.
Edibility —
Edible.
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3. Hakeke (Wood Ear, Elephant’s Ear)
Auricularia cornea — Cap 4–12cm
Photo by Ruben Mita
Description —
In this species, the floppy reverse cup that hangs down from the side of the substrate is laterally attached from the top surface by a tiny tough stipe. With age it may flatten slightly, the margin uplifting and becoming wavy. Finely velvety top dark reddish-brown, sometimes with a lighter margin, drying grey-brown. Smooth and rubbery underside brown to grey, and sometimes veined or wrinkled in the centre, creating the ear-like appearance. Thin, soft flesh can be divided into a gelatinous and tougher layer when cut.
Habitat —
Grows on fallen or standing dead wood, although rarely on pine, and is abundant in native forest. Sometimes occurs in very large and overlapping groups. Year round, dried ears rehydrating with rain.
Possible confusion —
Peziza species grow on the ground, and are less floppy.
Edibility —
Edible, and used in Chinese cuisine and medicine. Should be avoided by people on blood-thinning medication.
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4. Morels
Morchella species — Cap 2–9cm, height 4–15cm
Description —
Rubbery cap has a distinctive honeycomb-like arrangement of pits and ridges, shallow when small and growing deeper with size, and is completely hollow when cut open. Shape narrow and pointy when young, widening with age and becoming irregular, but often retaining a point. Colour ranges widely, encompassing pale yellow-, green- and red-brown, and near black, with the darker, ridged surface contrasting with the lighter hole interior. Smooth and similarly hollow stipe cream to yellowish or pinkish-brown, often narrowing in the middle, and irregularly folded and wrinkled when large.
Habitat —
Grows from the ground in urban areas or other disturbed environments like the sides of tracks. Solitary or in small groups. Spring.
Possible confusion —
False morels are dangerously poisonous, but lack the distinctive honeycomb-like pits.
Edibility —
Edible and highly prized.
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5. Pekepeke-Kiore (Lion’s Mane, Coral Tooth, Fungi Icicles)
Hericium novae-zealandiae — Width 4–20cm
Description —
This striking species forms masses that radiate outwards from side of substrate, consisting of dense branches that branch fractally in all directions into innumerable smaller ones, finally bearing many tooth-like or icicle-like spikes. When growth is larger, the teeth tend to hang neatly downwards, but when it is younger they may point in all directions. Colour is cream-white to light pink when young, turning brown from the tips with age, and bodies are sometimes seen with orangey-brown, watery droplets held in the branches.
Habitat —
Grows from standing or fallen dead wood in native forest. Usually singular. Autumn to winter.
Possible confusion —
The genus Pterulicium forms groups of pale hanging teeth, but they are droopier and separated, not densely branching.
Edibility —
Edible. Closely related species in other countries are thought to have medicinal properties.
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6. Tawaka (Poplar Mushroom, Tree Swordbelt)
Cyclocybe parasitica or Agrocybe parasitica — Cap 6–25cm, height 6–20cm
Description —
Hard, smooth and sometimes minutely bumpy cap is convex and dark brown when young, but matures to broad and flat, occasionally wavy or depressed but usually neat, lightening to cream with a darker, tan centre. Gills, which are adnexed, crowded and pale brown-grey, may remain concealed behind a pale spongy veil until relatively late. When the veil finally opens it becomes a large hanging annulus, the upper side a dark rich brown from the spores. Stipe tough and cream to light brown, with minute coarse scales. Spore print dark rich brown.
Habitat —
Grows parasitically from standing or recently fallen trees, sometimes high above the ground. Most often in native forest. May be singular or in small to large clusters. Common. Summer to autumn.
Edibility —
Edible.
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Great care has been taken to maintain the accuracy of the information contained from this book. However, we cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this information.
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Related reading — How to find and identify fungi forms
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand by Ruben Mita
Excerpt from A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand by Ruben Mita. John Beaufoy Publishing, RRP $29.99
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