About Calostoma rodwayi Lloyd
Calostoma rodwayi is a truffle-like fungus. Its spore-bearing fruiting body, called a gasterocarp, is black with a rough, scaly texture. A gelatinous outer layer called the peridium covers the head; this layer dries and cracks to create the scaly appearance, and reveals the peristome. The peristome is a star-shaped structure at the top of the head, bright red to orange in color with an appearance described as "lips", and it covers the opening through which spores are released. Its stalk is a darker orange, and elevates the spore-bearing head above the surrounding substrate. The largest spores of this species measure 16 microns, and are globose in shape with a completely smooth surface. This fungus grows in Nothofagus forests, in soil surrounding beech trees. It is found mostly across the west coast of New Zealand's South Island and the southern end of New Zealand's North Island, with scattered populations in other areas. It also occurs in southeastern Australia and across the whole of Tasmania.
