Tea-tree Fingers with good looking reproduction and mirror reflecting host fungus under the branch.

Great news for Australasian fungi conservation this winter with a new population of the Critically Endangered Tea-tree Fingers (TTF, Hypocreopsis amplectens) being found by local fungal enthusiast Tannar. It was great spotting as TTF is a cryptic brown fungus that lives on smaller branches that have often fallen to the ground.

This new discovery find got some of the TTF team together in June with Michael, Shari and Sapphire recording details about the new population. This data has been shared with DEECA so that management can now consider the needs of this important fungus to conserve. There were planned burns nearby this year (2024) so it is great that this patch was outside of the burn area.

Fire management will be particularly important as TTF populations have only been found on longer unburnt habitats, at least 20 years and maybe much longer with nearly 100 years without fire for the Yarra Valley population.

It was great to see bike cleaning facilities as the area is used for recreation. Finding a balance between conservation and other land uses is important.

If you are keen on learning about how to help spot TTF and contribute to its conservation like Tannar has. Then check out the identification booklet.