Killer Japanese fungus found in Australia

Revenge for the red back spider being introduced to Japan?

Vince Black - Revenge for the red back spider being introduced to Japan?

you just beat me to it. However, most Australians are educated about poisonous fungus because there are many native poisonous fungus.

Does Fire Coral-chan have a mascot yet? Or a Pokemon modeled on it? FAIYACORA, I choose you!

Looks like carrots. Fungi are interesting, we still know too little about them, but some seem to have various positive effects for humans.

We had a simple rule when collecting mushrooms. If it's not a mushroom with blades under the crown, it's a poisonous fungus. Don't touch it! Just looking at that thing would tell you it is not food.

Disillusioned,

Great comments.....and since it seems to be giving us the bird multiple times.......we should really stay the hell away!

Just what Australia needs - another poisonous thing that can kill you

Does Fire Coral-chan have a mascot yet?

Corosshi?

Many Japanese and Koreans live in Cairns; for many more it’s their holiday destination of choice. What are the chances this has been introduced on the sly by one of them versus it being a case of spontaneous fungus generation six thousand kilometers away from its natural habitat.

The color sure looks pretty.

Poison Fire Coral is the only known mushroom with toxins that can be absorbed through the skin

If you trod on one, would the toxins remain on your boot and be transferable upon skin contact ? If so, that's a pretty serious matter to be wary of.

Some birds fly down to Australia from Japan on annual migrations. They could have carried small amounts of the fungus with them somehow. Could that be an explanation?

^If the toxin can be absorbed through skin, wouldn't that kill a bird as well? I think birds do clean their feather with their own beak.

There is a new insect decimating forests in Pennsylvania (so far) that, like the Gypsy Moth and West Nile disease carrying mosquitoes, is an "import." It has no local "enemies" and so will likely spread to the point where control let alone eradication is impossible.

You have to wonder what role a highly poisonous fungi serves in any ecosystem.

Many Japanese and Koreans live in Cairns; for many more it’s their holiday destination of choice. What are the chances this has been introduced on the sly by one of them versus it being a case of spontaneous fungus generation six thousand kilometers away from its natural habitat

Yeah right, see a lot of conspiracies all over the place huh? More like it stuck to the bottom of someone's shoes and got carried into the country, or by migratory birds, as mentioned.

The bottom of one's shoes harbors more germs and bacteria than your toilet seat!

Airports SHOULD have ways to decontaminate the bottoms of travelers footwear without it being an invasive procedure!

Just stick fo shiitake. Avoid curiosity of anything that becomes curious.