Morwell National Park Online
Park History	Park Management	Friends of the Park	Plants and Animals	Plant Identification	Walking Tracks	Online Help	Contact

Item Details

Scientific Name : Cordyceps gunnii Common Name : Dark vegetable caterpillar Description : The visible part of this fungus is a dark black to dark green cylindrical club. Below the ground there is a long whitish stalk that may be more than 300 mm long at the end of which is the mummified remains of a caterpillar (about 60 mm long) which has been parasitised by the fungus. The second photograph shows an excavated specimen, including the mummified caterpillar. Habitat : This fungus is always found underneath Acacia species as the caterpillar it parasitises feeds on Acacia roots. In the Park it has only been found under Acacia verniciflua, the Varnish wattle. Distribution : Eastern states of Australia, from Queensland to South Australia, including Tasmania. Recorded from two locations in the Fosters Gully section of the Park, but may be more widespread as it is easily overlooked. Family : Clavicipitaceae

Available Images View At 50% | View At 100% Fruiting body, beneath iAcacia verniciflua/i on Muttonwood Creek Track. View At 50% | View At 100% Excavated complete fungus including the mummified caterpillar, beneath iAcacia verniciflua/i on Muttonwood Creek Track. View At 50% | View At 100% Dark Vegetable Caterpillar fruiting body by the Fosters Gully Track View At 50% | View At 100% Dark Vegetable Caterpillar fruiting body by the Fosters Gully Track