Fungi of Otago
Otago is home to diverse fungi, including rare species, like Deconica baylisiana.
Fungi play critical roles in ecosystem function and are essential for the growth and health of all land plants. They play important roles as decomposers and re-cyclers of nutrients, as mycorrhizal partners of plants, and as plant and animal pathogens.
The Kingdom Fungi is the second most speciose group of documented organisms on the planet. In Aotearoa New Zealand it is estimated we have over 20,000 species but with less than half of the species formally described. In common with other organisms many of our fungal species are endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The majority of species form microscopic fruitbodies but the group also includes large mushrooms and bracket fungi. The visible fruitbodies of fungi vary enormously in size, and are noticeable only sporadically, but they are all produced from extensive and persistent colonies of microscopic fungal hyphae in soil, wood etc.
Even though many species produce millions of spores dispersed by wind they are not ubiquitous across the landscape. Many factors influence when and where they can survive. Like all other organisms existing fungal colonies are subject to the pressures of land-use change, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
Otago is a national stronghold for Deconica baylisiana, the alpine pouch, Aotearoa New Zealand’s only National Critical fungus.
To raise awareness of Deconica baylisiana, and fungal species generally, we worked with Tūhura Otago Museum and mycologist Jerry Cooper from Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research to produce an infographic factsheet. This resource provides information on how to identify Deconica baylisiana, where they are found, how they are thought to disperse, and their conservation status.
A regional conservation status assessment of selected mushroom fungi (non-lichenised agarics, boletes and russuloid fungi) was completed in 2024. A total of 331 fungal taxa from the national checklist were assessed in Otago using a general process developed to assess the threat of extinction at the regional level. Nine taxa were assessed as Regionally Threatened (1 Regionally Critical and 8 Regionally Vulnerable), 203 as Regionally Not Threatened, and 119 as Regionally Data Deficient. More information can be found in the regional threat assessment.
A species list of mushroom fungi (non-lichenised agarics, boletes and russuloid fungi) in Otago can be downloaded below.
Regional threat assessments
We have published threat assessments on various species' groups in our region, including mushroom fungi.
Reports and publications - biodiversity
We have developed a range of resources on indigenous biodiversity in Otago, including regional threat assessment reports, educational factsheets and posters about species, and an online native planting guide to inform ecological restoration efforts.
To find out more about fungi in Aotearoa New Zealand, visit the Biota of New Zealand website.
Have you spotted a fungus? Take a photo and upload your observation to iNaturalist, including the location and date, to help improve our knowledge of fungi in Aotearoa New Zealand.
BIOTA of New Zealand
Biota of New Zealand provides access to information about the fungi, land invertebrates and plants as well as some virus and bacteria that are found in, or relevant to, Aotearoa – New Zealand.
iNaturalist – Mātaki Taiao
iNaturalist is an online-access participatory science project where you can record and share observations on plants, fungi, and animals, including seal and sea lions, contributing to scientific research and conservation efforts.
