Pisolithus

Notes

The dyeballs. Fruiting bodies are medium-sized, yellow to brown to black, with a thick leathery wall. The spores develop in numerous discrete clumps (peridioles) and are released as the upper surface of the spore case breaks down.
The name dyeball arises from their use for dyeing wool in Europe.
In New Zealand there are 3 species, all confined to the thermal areas of the central North Island where they are mycorrhizal with tea-tree species, especially the prostrate kanuka common at these sites.

 

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Images		NZFungi Entry

Pisolithus sp. 10
Pisolithus ‘species 10’ is a ‘tagname’ for a species that has not been formally named. Showing the fruiting body in section (right) with the mosaic-like clumps of developing spore masses (peridioles) separated by dark walls. The upper spor
All 3 species of Pisolithus in New Zealand are known only from the central North Island geothermal region where they are mycorrhizal on the roots of tea-tree.