Walking in Halswell Quarry Park in Christchurch, New Zealand, we found these geometric objects by the path (pictured). They look human-made, but are apparently natural. Can anyone identify them?
• This is the reproductive structure, or fruiting body, of the iconic New Zealand fungus Ileodictyon cibarium, the basket fungus; it also has several Maori names, including te matakupenga. It was scientifically named in 1844 by étienne Raoul, a surgeon on the ship L’Aube, based at the French colony of Akaroa on South Island.
The fungus grows below ground on decaying plant material including wood mulch. To reproduce, it forms…
