@NickspicsNZ and I had a trip to Taitua Arboretum today. Unfortunately we got rained off after an hour and had to decamp to a nice cafe instead.
I think these are Wood Ear mushrooms. Google tells me that the chinese add them to dishes to help improve breathing, circulation, sore throats, and wellbeing, and to help reduce colds and fevers. I'm not game enough to try it.
