Salmon Gum Bolete

Description:

Definitely the largest mushrooms I have ever seen, and plenty of them (12 fresh and 3 decomposed). Phlebopus marginatus is likely to be Australia's largest terrestrial fungus, with caps reaching to 1 metre across. A specimen from western Victoria was recorded weighing 29 kg. My specimens are a bit smaller than that, but one was very large - at least 14 inches across (first photo - 5 cent piece for comparison). Mostly golden brown in colour, although leaning towards dark brown to black around the margins and pores. Fresh pores are bright yellow. Some flat caps, others rounded, and very thick stipe. Cap texture was smooth and felt like soft foam, and although they look rather heavy, they were very lite in weight despite their size. The last photo shows a specimen with a split open and gives a good view of the interior. All were well-aged specimens, and the third photo shows two that had completely decomposed.

Habitat:

Predominantly rural area, but plenty of natural bushland here. These specimens were found growing on grass beneath native eucalypts, acacias, and casuarinas. Granite soil, usually dry, but still moist after recent heavy rains. Well-shaded area for most of the day.