Entoloma hochstetteri is a species of mushroom found in New Zealand. It grows in woodlands of western parts of both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The bright blue colour of Entoloma hochstetteri resembles the blue wattle of the kōkako bird which according to legend rubbed its wattles on it, hence the Māori name for this fungus, werewere-kōkako (kokako wattles). You can see a kōkako picture here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%c5%8dkako#/media/File:Kokako.jpg

Tags:   Entoloma Entoloma hochstetteri Entolomataceae Fungi Lumecube Air New Zealand North Island Olympus MCON-P02 Macro Converter Pureora Forest Park Pureora forest Rangitoto Range Tunawaea blue blue mushroom fungus mushroom podocarp forest rainforest temperate rainforest werewere-kokako

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Calostoma is a genus of gasteroid fungi. They do not have the spore discharge mechanism associated with typical gilled fungi, and instead have enclosed spore-bearing structures.
Calostoma rodwayi is a brown puffball which is raised up on a thick gelatinous golden brown stalk. On the top of the puffball are distinctive orange-red lips which cover the opening through which the spores are ejected. While maturing the openings are covered by a cap (left) which later lifts off to expose the red lips. In New Zealand the species is found in beech forest.

Tags:   Basidiomycota Calostoma Calostoma rodwayi Family Sclerodermataceae Fungi Mount Holdsworth New Zealand Tararua Range gasteroid fungi hot lips macro moss prettymouth puffballs spore capsule Forest Forest Prettymouth

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On the left you can see the small town of Warkworth, New Zealand. The township is located at the point where the Mahurangi River becomes a tidal estuary. Warkworth is a commercial and service hub for the wider rural area. Historically, the area was heavily forested until European settlement. The street at the bottom left is where we live. The town feels far enough away from the big city of Auckland, yet it is only a 40 min drive which we do infrequently. Drone panorama from 5 vertical frames.

Tags:   Auckland area Dome Forest Mahurangi Harbour Mahurangi River New Zealand North Island Puhinui Rodney Tamahunga Warkworth aerial aerial view drone photography forest landscape panorama small town

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Laurelia is a genus of plants with only two species, both endemic to the southern hemisphere. One occurs in New Zealand and the other one in Chile, an example of Gondwanan distribution. Laurelia novae-zelandiae is a large evergreen tree, endemic to lowland forests throughout the North Island of New Zealand. It requires a temperate to warm subtropical climate, but also a frost-free environment with only very slight winter frosts and high summer heat. Pukatea is the only New Zealand native tree developing large plank buttresses to support the tree's growth in swamp or shallow-soil areas. The vine in the photo is called supplejack, Ripogonum scandens. It is a common rainforest vine endemic to New Zealand. It climbs by coiling its hard but flexible stems around tree trunks and branches. When there are no supporting trees for the vines to climb up, the vines form a dense knotted tangle on the forest floor.

Tags:   Atherospermataceae Laurelia novae-zelandiae Monimiaceae Mount Ngongotaha Scenic Reserve New Zealand New Zealand native forest New Zealand native tree North Island Ripogonum scandens buttress root liana pukatea rainforest supplejack temperate rainforest tree vine Laurelia

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Stypandra is a small genus of plants in the family Asphodelaceae native to Australia. Stypandra glauca is a perennial plant with blue, lily-like flowers and yellow stamens that occurs across southern areas of Australia. The tubular stamens look like they require buzz pollination to obtain the pollen reward. Buzz pollination or sonication is a technique used by some bees to release pollen which is more or less firmly held by the anthers. The plant does not produce any nectar. Native bees and flies are known visitors.

Tags:   Asphodeliaceae Australian native plant Australian wildflower Meelup Eagle Bay Walk Trail Nodding Blue Lily Southwest Australia Stypandra Stypandra glauca Western Australia blue flower flower plant wildflower yellow stamen

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