It is saprobic, it’s interesting to note that according to E. Horak’s key this species is found fruiting from soil among leaf litter in broadleaved- Conifer forests but I have never found it on the ground as this would suggest!
I’ll keep an eye on those tree ferns, maybe they are in trouble!
I agree guys, it is one of the more beautiful mushrooms found in the native NZ bush and to top it off it is almost exclusively found near eye level fruiting directly from the trunks of tree ferns!
