FungiBank - Australia’s unique fungal heritage

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Australia’s unique fungal heritage

Many Australian fungi are unique (endemic) to this continent. For example, more than 95% of Australian truffle species and 35% of truffle genera, and more than 70% of Australian mycorrhizal fungi may be endemic. The uniqueness and diversity of many Australian larger fungi may have been brought about by their co-evolution with Australia's unique plants during long periods of geographic isolation. Because there are so many undiscovered and unique fungi, it is not surprising that new fungi are regularly being discovered in Australia. Many yet await discovery.

Torrendia grandis - A rare fungus
(only known from several locations,
all near Kellerberrin, Western Australia)

Learn more about Australian fungi

Some of the web sites about Australian fungi include:

Australian National Botanic Gardens - Fungi Web Site at www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/
Fungi at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne at www.rbg.vic.gov.au/biodiversity/fungi/
University of Sydney, "Introduction to the biology of fungi"
Fungimap Australia at www.fungimap.rbg.vic.gov.au/
Museum of Victoria at www.museum.vic.gov.au/forest/plants/fungi.html

The above is only a few references - more can be seen in the Additional Resources section.