One of my goals for the PSNZ conference was to find the famous blue mushroom, and on day one in Rotorua, I managed to tick it off!
This is Entoloma hochstetteri, also known by its Māori name werewere-kōkako. Its incredible electric-blue colour almost looks unreal, especially tucked amongst the mossy forest floor. The species is native to New Zealand forests and has become something of a national icon, even appearing on the back of the New Zealand $50 note alongside the kōkako bird.
Apparently the blue colouring comes from pigments called azulenes, and while the mushroom is small, spotting one in the wild feels a bit like finding treasure. Safe to say I was far more excited than most people would understand over a tiny blue fungus in the bush!
