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Narrogin Punk Fungi

31/7/2021

 
​Greetings fellow Foxies,
In the fungus world, punks are large showy, bracket sporophores (fungal fruiting bodies) that usually occur on their own on the upper trunks of large eucalypts. You can download factsheets on Laetiporus portentosus /white punk and Piptoporus australiensis/curry punk (and other fungi) on this great DBCA website. These fungi cause heartwood rot and may occur on live or dead trees.
​​​White punk forms large pale to light brown, spongy brackets, often up to 30cm diameter. The underside is a pore layer, light yellow to citrus yellow in colour. Images show a range of colours and forms that I have encountered. The brackets form in late autumn. They are long-lasting, often looking fresh for several months.
Over spring and early summer, they dry out and become quite light with a chalky texture. They are usually seen in this state at the foot of the tree on which they were growing. If conditions are right, a new bracket will develop in the same place the following autumn.
Picture
Fresh punk note drops on undersurface
Picture
White punk that has split in hot weather
Picture
Spore tubes on underside
PictureCurry punk or beefsteak fungus
​
Curry punks are similar size, but less common. When fresh the bracket is bright orange, smooth or greasy on the upper surface, with a layer of pores on the underside.
The flesh is rubbery, but very juicy making the brackets quite heavy. Curry punk juice is a good dye and will stain your skin or clothing yellow.
​Brackets persist for some months, but rain tends to wash them out and they fade to a whitish colour as they age. When dry they have a distinctive curry odour, hence the common name of curry punk.
Note : This may be a beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica.

Picture
Tapeigaster sun fly

​Punk fungi attract Tapeigaster species fungus flies called sun flies, which can be entertaining. Male sun flies are feisty. A first arrival will vigously defend its punk against other males for the right to mate with females. They are very persistent and stand their ground against humans as well. 
​Impregnated female flies lay eggs in the punk, which hatch to maggots that   thoroughly bore it out to leave a chalky sponge-like shell. 
Picture
Two males competing for the white punk
Picture
Fun and games
Picture
White punk after the flies have finshed
White punk shells were used by Noongars to transport fire. I did an experiment and discovered that they are ideal for this purpose. A lit punk barely smoulders when unattended. but ignites when blown.  
Picture
Chunk of spongy white punk
Picture
Smoulders when lit
Picture
Blowing makes it ignite
I understood that curry punks aged similarly to white punks until I found what I thought was an old and an ancient curry punk on a dead marri. Unlike white punks the sporophore was woody. 
Picture
Aged and ancient curry punk or beefsteak fungus
Picture
Undersurface
Picture
Cross section showing woody layers
PictureFomitipora robusta

​Fomitiporia robusta/
woody layered bracket fungus has a smaller layered woody bracket, which is common on rock sheoaks. I suspect that it is spread by borers, which with the fungus, commonly cause smaller sheoaks to snap off mid-trunk. 



Pheebz
22/7/2022 08:29:16 pm

Consider that you have misidentified the first two photos of Piptoporus australiensis - They look much more like Fistulina hepatica - beefstake fungi - a prized edible.

Doug Sawkins
23/7/2022 01:11:29 am

Thanks for your comment. I think I am correct because my images show the very thick edge of a punk in contrast to thinner shelf fungus and it lacks a distinct pore layer on the underside

Pheebz
28/7/2022 03:40:42 pm

Are they your images? As in, did you find these fungi and photograph them yourself? Have you ever found and eaten Fistulina hepatica? I suggest you look at more photos of Fistulina and Piptoporus before deciding your ID is correct. I've found both, I eat Fistulina and actively hunt for it.

Doug Sawkins
28/7/2022 05:20:13 pm

Thanks,my photos I will do more homework

Regina
20/2/2023 02:57:44 pm

Is this the same type of fungus that is burned by Indigenous peoples in Alaska to combat mosquitoes? Do you know if this type of fungus grows in South East Georgia?

Doug Sawkins
20/2/2023 07:21:14 pm

This type of bracket fungus occurs in the northern hemisphere and looks similar to an image I found of the Alaskan one


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