In recent years we have seen a lot more varieites of exotic mushrooms in our grocery stores, but I would bet that most of you (me included) really had no idea just how many incredible wild mushroom species there are in our world. Looking like designs from Dr. Seuss, Star Trek and Willy Wonka as well as children's artwork - here are some. Just a really small selection of the countless numbers out there.
Oh and before anyone points it out, I'm using the term mushroom as a capture all here for ease.
1. Veiled Lady Mushroom
Via 13 Most bizarre mushrooms
Found in gardens and woodlands in southern Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia.
2. Amethyst Deceiver
Via amethyst deceiver
A a small brightly colored, edible mushroom.
3. Funghi Nell'acqua
Via Photo of Scotney Castle, near ...
Mushrooms are weird. Especially when they're this big and look like they're wading in a swamp.
4. "Berkshire Blue" Amanita
Via morelmushroomhunting.com
This photograph was taken by the late Professor McGinty, the only person ever to have found the infamous "Berkshire Blue" Amanita. While many mycologists believe that this is a fraudulent picture, others come to Berkshire to walk the same woods frequented by the late, great Mcginty, with hopes of finding this elusive mushroom for themselves.
5. South American Mushroom
Via ZBOORA1_00182.psd | Art Wolfe Stock ...
An elegant wood-rotting fungus on a twig in the rainforest of the Napo River region of Peru.
6. Sweet Paul's Stacked Leather Mushroom
Via Stacked Leather & Wool Mushroom ...
Amazing construction.
7. Woodland Mushroom
Via fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net
Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as the verdigris agaric, is a medium-sized woodland mushroom
8. Jelly Ear Mushroom
Via ALLPE Medio Ambiente Blog Medioambiente.org ...
So weird. Ferengi anyone?
9. Rainforest Fungi
Via Loweprofessionals Xtras - Lowepro Ambassador ...
What a stunning color.
10. White Chicken Mushroom
Via Bracket fungi
Also known as spring chicken - its complicated latin name is Laetiporus cincinnatus
11. Hygrocybe Psittacina
Via Hygrocybe psittacina
I don't think i've ever seen a better example of the word "tumescent"
12. Silver Mushroom
Via 32 Intriguing Examples of Fungi ...
A light emitting mushroom
13. Coprinus Comatus
Via Shaggy Ink-Cap (Coprinus Comatus) Fungi ...
Stunning. Also known as the lawyer's wig.
14. So Cute
Via Entoloma sp.
Found in Loei, Thailand.
15. Stropharia Aeruginosa
Via Nahuby.sk - Fotografia - golierovka ...
Known as the Verdigris Agaric
16. Boletus Frostii
Via commons.wikimedia.org
Commonly known as Frost's bolete or the apple bolete.
17. Star-shaped Mushroom
Via 10 Most Amazing Mushrooms (cool ...
Known as the Devil's Cigar,or Texas Star (Chorioactis geaster). One of the world's rarest fungi. Found in central Texas.
18. Magpie Inky Cap
Via Coprinopsis picacea.2
Some of the names are so brilliantly descriptive of a mushroom's appearance.
19. Destroying Angel
Via Deadly Beauty – Poisonous Mushroom ...
As deadly as it is beautiful.
20. Rainbow Mushrooms
Via Grandmas Dreams
Such beauty in a simple mushroom.
21. Aleuria Aurantia
Via Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria aurantia)
Another completely descriptive name - Orange Peel Fungus
22. Erm ...
Via Tasty Early Morel Mushrooms by ...
These are called ... wait for it ... Pecker Heads
23. Camarophyllus Russocoriaceus
Via theantidote.tumblr.com
Russian Leather Waxcap. It sounds like a piece of military uniform ^_^
24. Mycena Haematopus
Via Mycena Haematopus
Such a pretty name, in a strange kinda way. It's known as the Bleeding Fairy Helmet
25. Cyttaria Gunnii
Via Δ S > 0 • ...
Found in the extremes of South America in Tierra del Fuego.
26. Clathrus Ruber
Via Red Cage Fungus - Clathrus ...
The Red Cage Fungus - incredible.
27. Phellodon Sinclairii
Via Phellodon sinclairii
Found in beech forests of New Zealand.
28. Marasmius Haematocephalus
Via commons.wikimedia.org
Almost as beautiful as flowers.
29. Amanita Muscaria
Via Fly Agaric Family, by Dr. ...
Where are the fairies and pixies? Oh they're hiding under the next ones.
30. Mycena Interrupta
Via 20100606-22-Mycena interrupta mushrooms
Poetically known as the Blue Pixie's Parasol.
31. Mushroom Glow
Via Faith & Trust & Pixie ...
Sometimes they just don't look real.
32. Black Amanita
Via Mycology
Some of them look really scary.
33. Tiger Milk Mushrooms
Via Preparation of anti-tumor nanoparticles using ...
A polysaccharide-protein complex was found in Tiger Milk mushrooms from Africa, which can turn selenium into a treatment for breast cancer. .
34. Pholiota Flammans
Via Pholiota flammans
Flaming Scalecap.
35. Leucocoprinus Cretaceus
Via Leucocoprinus cretaceus
Such intricate details in a simple mushroom.
36. Strofaria Aeruginosa
Via agorastosphotography.com
That color is so wonderful.
37. Polyporus Squamosus
Via recipesalchemy.com
You can see why this is called the Bagpipe Mushroom.
38. Cyathus Striatus
Via Bird's nest fungus (Cyathus striatus)
Simply amazing - this is the Bird's Nest Fungus
39. Campanella Caesia
Via "Campanella caesia"
A very rare type of mushroom.
40. Austroboletus Betula
Via Austroboletus betula
OMG. They remind me of the aliens in War of the Worlds (the Tom Cruise version). Or jellyfish maybe?
41. Giant Honey Mushroom
Via Fungi, Lichens & Slime mold
This is the world's largest living organism, except it's mostly underground. Its roots cover 800 hectares.
42. Lycoperdon Perlatum
Via Flower Garden News | Daily ...
Known as the common puffball, warted puffball, gem-studded puffball, or the devil's snuff-box. Take your pick.
43. Cortinarius Archeri
Via rabbitskittensandlambs: A beautiful specimen of... ...
Indigienous to Australia.
44. Clustered Bonnet Mushrooms
Via Clustered Bonnet Mushroom
The name makes me think of a gathering of Jane Austen characters.
45. Omphalotus Olearius
Via Nahuby.sk - Fotografia - kališník ...
Jack-O-Lantern Mushrooms
46. Favolaschia Calocera
Via ECigarettes & ELiquid by 7's ...
Orange Pore Fungi.
It was sad to trim down the list to so few because this really is the tip of the iceberg. Did you know mushrooms were so captivating?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these pretty mushrooms actually real?
- Oh yes, these mushrooms are absolutely real! Nature is full of wonderful surprises, and these magical fungi are one of them. It's amazing what you can find in the wild.
- Can I find these beautiful mushrooms in my local forest?
- Maybe! It depends on where you live, but many gorgeous mushrooms can be found almost everywhere if you know where to look. Be sure to learn about the local species before you go hunting!
- Are colorful mushrooms safe to touch or eat?
- Sometimes, but not always! Many colorful mushrooms are actually poisonous. It's super important to never touch or eat wild mushrooms unless you are 100% sure they're safe. Better safe than sorry!
- Why do mushrooms have such amazing colors?
- Nature works in mysterious ways! The colors can be for attracting or repelling animals, depending on the mushroom's needs. Plus, some just have incredible, unique pigments. It's all part of nature's art show!
- Can I grow these stunning mushrooms at home?
- Yes, with the right conditions and a bit of effort, some of these beautiful mushrooms can be cultivated at home. Make sure to research the specific requirements for each type, as they can vary a lot.
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