Notes: This beautifully coloured fungi was found growing in the sandy loam, and almost completely covered by leaves and twigs. The habitat was mainly eucalyptus.
I have loaded something similar from my Kundabung property, but it definitely did not have the slimy, sticky cap, or the unusual stipe thinning at the top near the cap like this specimen. There were three in a small area at different stages of maturity. The cap was about 60mm across and the stipe about the same. The stipe as mentioned had a clearly defined thinning at the top near the cap. Depending on the light, the stipe was nice violet and the cap was leaning more towards the red end of the violet scale. When cut, the fungi was easily bisected, and the centre of the stipe was woody or fibrous. At the base of the stem there was a small amount of swelling but this was not pronounced. It was easily removed from its habitat. The soil was damp, as we have had considerable rainfall in the last 24 hours. I have been trying to load the remaining images without much luck. I will try again this evening.(my time.)
Managed to finish uploading the remaining files. The stipe when cut showed a fibrous centre.

[admin – Sat Aug 14 01:59:55 +0000 2010]: Changed location name from ‘Diamond Head National Park Port Macquarie NSW Australia’ to ‘Diamond Head National Park, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia’