Fungi of New Zealand

[2] As more people have made their way to New Zealand, so have many introduced species, some which have adapted well and became foraging favourites, while others, like black truffles (Tuber melansporum) have struggled to form associations with native plants but could have high economic value.

[9] There are records of this fungus being used for medicinal purposes, specifically to maintain pressure on bleeding wounds with strips of pūtawa acting as a naturally absorbent and elastic bandage.

[3] This fungus is a decomposer, breaking own dead wood to provide energy to create its unique fruiting bodies on rotting trees.

[13] The closely related Herecium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) is a popular mushroom found on sawdust in Asia, suggesting that Pekepeke-kiore may have been eaten in New Zealand prior to colonial settlement, but there are few accounts to back this up.

[3][14] This Hericium species has been named by both Pakeha and Māori for its distinctive fruiting bodies which appear like white icicles climbing along the forest floor and rotting logs.

Its Māori name comes from the verb ‘pekepeke’ meaning to jump and the noun ‘kiore’ which is a native rat in New Zealand – describing its furry texture and sporadic network.

[16] When mature these fungi have a slime on their base, called ‘gleba’ that smells like rotten meat and attracts flies which helps them spread spores.

[19] Māori use Hakeke as a treatment when recovering from karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus) or tutu (Coriaria arborea) poisoning as it grows on these trees.

[3] Known as Tawaka in Te Reo Māori, this mushroom has been recorded growing on both dead and living trees from late summer to autumn, predominantly in the South Island.

[20]Another edible native fungus is the brown oyster mushroom, part of the genus Pleurotus, which are favoured for eating as they are less slimy when cooked.

[32] They have a spongy texture and a nutty flavour which meant they were both eaten by Māori and used as bandages on bleeding and burn wounds for its styptic qualities.

[3] This fungus gains its name from a process called autodigestion: the cap emerges in the morning and then begins dropping spores dissolving from the bottom upwards as it does so.

[36] These mushrooms are edible, but they have a very short mature phase, requiring immediate harvest as the cap opens within a few hours and starts dropping spores.

[36] This mushroom is commonly consumed in Asian countries and has been found to have medicinal benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antibacterial qualities.

[40] When this fungus dies, these mushrooms will pop up again in ring at the edge of the previous mycelium when the conditions are supportive to produce fruiting bodies.

[42] These are a popular mushroom in cuisine because they grow in large cohorts and only take a couple of hours to dehydrate in sunlight due to their small size.

Due to misidentification of the well-known and look-a-like death cap (Amanita phalloides) as 'fieldies' the number of mushroom poisonings in adults has increased.

[57] Named for their spicy taste, Peppery boletes are found from January to June in the more temperate parts of New Zealand; excluding Northland and Gisborne.

Their Italian common name means 'little pig' [63] These mushrooms are introduced to New Zealand from England when curating Hagley Park in Christchurch where they can grow up to 30cm tall with 25cm caps.

[68] Wine caps have been found to help alleviate cancer progression and are recommended for consumption by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Association.

[75] The black landscaping morel is under-researched in New Zealand, but it does hold the position as the most expensive mushroom in the world and is considered high in bioactive properties.

[83] This is due to the presence of specific bioactive compounds such as ascorbic acid, ergosterol, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, and polysaccharides.

[citation needed] Biosecurity in New Zealand is strict due to the unique flora, fauna, and fungi found on its isolated shores.

[91] Magic mushrooms have been found as most beneficial as a mental illness treatment when the setting is strictly controlled and led by a clinical therapist.

[93] Tū Wairua is the first research proposal that has been granted a medicinal license for indigenous magic mushrooms with consent from both the New Zealand Ministry of Health and participating iwi and hapu.

[93] Based in Gisborne, New Zealand, this initiative aims to use psilocybin as a therapeutic tool targeting methamphetamine addiction in Māori communities.

[96] This also poses an added threat as growing and foraging magic mushrooms (Pscilocybe) is illegal in New Zealand and considered a class A drug, carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months for possession or life in prison for distribution.

[99] Cordyceps fungi have been used in Chinese medicine to aid lung, bone, and kidney health and to this day naturopaths use it as a tranquiliser and tonic for anaemia and tumours.

[103] Harore is one of the few native parasitic fungi that can damage horticultural crops when present in the soil that Pinus radiata and kiwifruit (Actinidia sp.)

[109] Its introduction into New Zealand carries a similar threat for taonga and economically significant species such as pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) and mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium).