“The Smurfs are little blue people who live in magic mushrooms. Think about it.”
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These two mushrooms popped through my lawn after all the lovely rain we've had. They started off as two strange, cigar-shaped white fungi that pushed through the grass until they were about 15cm high, and the next day I encountered these two lovely little umbrellas! The tallest one is about 20cm high.
These two mushrooms popped through my lawn after all the lovely rain we've had. They started off as two strange, cigar-shaped white fungi that pushed through the grass until they were about 15cm high, and the next day I encountered these two lovely little umbrellas! The tallest one is about 20cm high.
According to Carla, who hosts Fungilicious on RedBubble, this shroom is a “Shaggy Mane” and is edible, but once they start turning colors and ‘ink’, like this one... they’re unsafe to eat.
Camera : Kodak EasyShare C195 - Pic taken in my garden.
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Camera : Kodak EasyShare C195 - Pic taken in my garden.
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Did you know,
A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. The rings may grow to over 10 meters (33 ft) in diameter, and they become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground. They are found mainly in forested areas, but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. Fairy rings are detectable by sporocarps in rings or arcs, as well as by a necrotic zone (dead grass), or a ring of dark green grass. If these manifestations are visible a fairy fungus mycelium is likely to be present in the ring or arc underneath.
A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. The rings may grow to over 10 meters (33 ft) in diameter, and they become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground. They are found mainly in forested areas, but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. Fairy rings are detectable by sporocarps in rings or arcs, as well as by a necrotic zone (dead grass), or a ring of dark green grass. If these manifestations are visible a fairy fungus mycelium is likely to be present in the ring or arc underneath.
Fairy rings also occupy a prominent place in European folklore as the location of gateways into elfin kingdoms, or places where elves gather and dance. According to the folklore, a fairy ring appears when a fairy, pixie, or elf appears. It will disappear without trace in less than five days, but if an observer waits for the elf to return to the ring, he may be able to capture it.
Fairy ring in a suburb - Pic from WIKIPEDIA
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Here in Africa, Fairy circles are enigmatic barren patches, typically found in the grasslands of the western part of southern Africa. They are most prolific in Namibia, but are also present in Angola and South Africa.These fairy circles consist of round areas barren of vegetation; as yet there is no clear picture as to how they are formed, although scientists are researching the matter. One theory suggests termites as the creator of these circles, but recent studies have stated that there is no evidence termites would cause this phenomenon. In the oral myths of Himba people these barren patches are said to have been caused by the gods and/or spirits and natural divinities.
Studies done by South African scientists shows that these circles are under continuous development. They grow in diameter, expanding to as large as 9m in diameter, where they mature and "die", filled in by invasive grasses.
Very interesting about the fairy circles! Thank you, Maree.
ReplyDeleteI also found that interesting Kathryn! And thanks for your lovely visits!
ReplyDelete