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Story: Fungi

Forest fungus

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Forest fungus

Mushrooms and toadstools are the reproductive structures of some types of fungi. Many different types are found in New Zealand’s forests. They are most common in early autumn, after the first rains at the end of a dry summer. Most fungi do not produce mushrooms, and are usually hidden in the ground, or within wood or leaves. Fungi play a vital role in forests as they are the primary decomposers of wood, leaf litter and dead animals. They also form beneficial relationships with the roots of most forest trees.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10057320

by Katrina Edwards

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How to cite this page

Peter Buchanan, Fungi – What are fungi?, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11544/forest-fungus (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter Buchanan, published 1 March 2009.