Magical Mushrooms: 6 North American Fungi That Light Up the Night

10th April, 2024

CHIRANJIT MITRA

Forget fireflies! Discover the fascinating mushrooms that create their ethereal glow.

Widespread in decaying wood and roots, giving off a greenish glow.

1: Foxfire (Armillaria species)

Common on dead hardwoods, gills emit a bright, ghostly glow.

2: Bitter Oyster (Panellus stipticus)

Found at the base of trees, the whole mushroom faintly glows. Caution: poisonous! 

3: Ghost Fungus (Omphalotus olearius)

Rare species, only found in a few US states, stem glows.

4: Filoboletus Manipularis

Found in tropical areas like the southern US, tiny mushrooms with glowing caps.

5: Mycena lucentipes

Bioluminescence attracts insects, aiding in spore dispersal, but the full science is still a mystery.

Why Do They Glow?

Search for these fantastical fungi after dark for an enchanting glimpse of nature's magic.