Parasitic Fungus (Septobasidium clelandii)

A highly branched black clump of fruiting bodies arising from stem galls (seen as thickened split lumps) on branches of tea-tree shrubs (Leptospermum sp.) in a reserve. The black fruiting bodies were about 5 to 12 mm long and stretching out like large magnetised iron-filings.
This fungus ( basidiomycota) is a parasite on the female gall inducing Eriococcid insect Callococcus leptospermi. Although this fungus is also known to parasitise another non-gall forming coccid that inhabits melaleuca, this species of Septobasidium is mostly associated with galling coccids.
Spores are formed on the tips of protruding structures of the fungus.