Meet the solitary fungi giants of the forest. The shelf fungus (Phellinus sp) can grow up to 30 cm across and are found throughout New Zealand. These dense and woody fungi can be spotted in all seasons as they are long-lived and persist for years, slowly growing and contributing to the breakdown of their native host trees. Belonging to a fungal group known as polypores (many pores/holes), the spores of Phellinus are housed in tiny cavities on the velvety undersides of the fruiting body. DOC ranger Deb Price spotted these beautiful behemoths in the forest above Totaranui.