Emma Wilson
More than 70 species of mushrooms can glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction involving luciferase and oxygen. This is similar to the chemical reaction that makes fireflies glow. Mushrooms evolved this ability to attract insects to spread their spores. Some mushrooms that are known to glow in the dark include the jack-o'-lantern, Mycena pura (commonly known as lilac bonnet), and Panellus stipticus. While it is not clear if glow-in-the-dark mushrooms are present in the UK, some people have reported seeing patches of glowing sulphur tufts in Cornwall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fungal species that can glow in the dark | Over 70 |
| Reason for glowing | To attract insects to spread their spores |
| Bioluminescent mushroom types | Jack-o'-lantern, Mycena pura (lilac bonnet), Panellus stipticus (bitter mushrooms), Mycena chlorophos, Omphalotus illudens |
| Location in the UK | Cornwall, Great Britain, and Ireland |
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What You'll Learn
- The Mycena pura mushroom, also known as the lilac bonnet, is bioluminescent and common in the UK
- The jack-o'-lantern mushroom glows in the dark but is poisonous
- More than 70 species of mushrooms can glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction
- Panellus stipticus is one of the brightest-glowing mushrooms on Earth
- Carn Euny in Cornwall is home to an Iron Age village with a cave featuring bioluminescent moss
The Mycena pura mushroom, also known as the lilac bonnet, is bioluminescent and common in the UK
Mycena pura is just one of over 70 known fungal species that exhibit bioluminescence. These mushrooms can transform dark forests into wondrous, glowing landscapes. The light they emit is the result of a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, the enzyme luciferase, and oxygen—the same reaction that gives fireflies their glow. However, while fireflies light up to attract mates, mushrooms have evolved this ability to attract insects that will help spread their spores.
Mycena pura is most commonly found in Great Britain and Ireland, though it is also present in North America, where it is often confused with its close relative, Mycena rosea. This mushroom is typically found in its bioluminescent form at night, as the darkness intensifies its glow. During the day, the mushroom's bell-shaped cap is a soft purple, but at night, its thin, hollow, gel-covered stem emits a faint green light.
The lilac bonnet is not the only glowing mushroom that enthusiasts can find in the UK. Some people have reported seeing patches of sulphur tufts that seem to glow in the dark, particularly in Cornwall. In addition, certain caves in Cornwall, such as the Iron Age village of Carn Euny, are known for their bioluminescent moss-covered walls, creating an otherworldly experience for visitors.
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The jack-o'-lantern mushroom glows in the dark but is poisonous
Mushrooms are bizarre organisms that can take on any shape and colour, and one of their quirkiest qualities is bioluminescence. Over 70 species of mushrooms can glow in the dark, and they do so to attract insects that will help them spread their spores.
One such bioluminescent mushroom is the jack-o'-lantern, which glows in both its mycelia and the gills on the underside of its cap. A dark-adapted eye can usually see it glowing, but only if it's a fresh specimen as these mushrooms lose their brightness over time. Jack-o'-lanterns have a very similar appearance to edible chanterelles but are poisonous due to the presence of the illudin S toxin, so do not eat them. They are found throughout Europe and parts of South Africa, resembling chanterelles with their fiery orange colour.
The Mycena pura, commonly known as the lilac bonnet due to its soft purple colour, is another mushroom species that glows in the dark. It is commonly found throughout Great Britain and Ireland, though it is more elusive in North America. The mushroom is quite pretty even when it isn't glowing, with its quintessential bell-shaped caps.
Other mushrooms known to glow in the dark include the Panellus stipticus, which is one of the brightest bioluminescent mushrooms globally, and the Mycena luxaeterna, dubbed the eternal light mushroom, which is native to the rainforests of São Paulo, Brazil.
In the UK, patches of sulphur tufts that seem to glow have been observed in Cornwall, specifically in the underground bunker/cave of Carn Euny, an Iron Age village.
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More than 70 species of mushrooms can glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction
Mushrooms are well-known for their unique shapes, colours, and characteristics. However, one of their most intriguing qualities is bioluminescence. More than 70 species of mushrooms can glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction. This phenomenon, called foxfire, occurs primarily in fungi growing on decaying wood.
The chemical reaction that produces the glow involves luciferin (or oxyluciferin), a luciferase enzyme, and molecular oxygen. This process, called bioluminescence, is similar to the way fireflies produce light. The light-emitting molecules, luciferins, interact with the luciferase enzymes, water, and oxygen to generate light. This reaction is not fully understood, and mycologists have long speculated about its purpose.
The bioluminescence in mushrooms may be scheduled for maximum effect, implying an adaptive use rather than a simple biochemical side-effect. The glow attracts insects that spread mushroom spores, aiding in their dispersal. This hypothesis is supported by studies using acrylic model mushrooms lit by LEDs, which attracted more insects than dark models. However, not all glowing fungi attract insects, as some may produce light as a useless byproduct of metabolism.
Some notable bioluminescent mushrooms include the jack-o'-lantern (Omphalotus illudens), which glows in its gills and is found in Europe and South Africa; the lilac bonnet (Mycena pura), common in Great Britain and Ireland; and Panellus stipticus, one of the brightest-glowing fungi found globally, with bioluminescent strains in certain parts of North America. These mushrooms transform from dull daytime colours to dazzling displays of light after dark.
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Panellus stipticus is one of the brightest-glowing mushrooms on Earth
Panellus stipticus, also known as the bitter oyster, the astringent panus, the luminescent panellus, or the styptic fungus, is one of the brightest-glowing mushrooms on Earth. It is a species of fungus in the family Mycenaceae and the type species of the genus Panellus. The bitter oyster mushroom is common in northern temperate regions of Europe and has been found in Australia, New Zealand, Anatolia, Japan, and China. In North America, it is more prevalent in the east, particularly in deciduous hardwood forests along the East Coast.
The bitter oyster mushroom normally remains unseen, existing as a mass of thread-like vegetative cells called a mycelium, which inhabits rotting wood. Only under specific environmental conditions of temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability does the fungus produce reproductive structures known as fruit bodies or mushrooms. The cap of the fruit body is kidney- or clamshell-shaped, with dimensions ranging from 1.2 to 3.2 cm in length and 1.2 to 2.5 cm in width.
The gills and mycelia of Panellus stipticus emit a bright glow in complete darkness. This bioluminescence is believed to attract animals that can help spread fungal spores in well-hydrated areas. The light emission from the mycelium increases when it is hydrated, potentially increasing the chances of spore deposition in optimal environments for growth.
While Panellus stipticus has a global distribution, only certain strains, particularly those growing in eastern regions of North America, exhibit bioluminescence. This variation in bioluminescence within the same species underscores the complexity and fascinating adaptations of glowing mushrooms.
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Carn Euny in Cornwall is home to an Iron Age village with a cave featuring bioluminescent moss
Carn Euny in Cornwall is an archaeological site dating back to the Iron Age. It is one of the best-preserved ancient villages in South West England, occupied from around 400 BC until the end of the Romano-British period in about AD 400. The site includes the remains of stone houses with walls up to a metre high, as well as a unique feature—a fogou.
A fogou is a mysterious type of underground passageway found only in the west of Cornwall. The fogou at Carn Euny is particularly well-preserved, with massive stone slabs roofing an underground tunnel over 65 feet (20 metres) long. It leads to a human-built underground bunker or cave, which was likely used for cold food storage.
The Carn Euny fogou is especially notable for its bioluminescent moss. The stone walls of the cave are coated in this moss, creating an almost unbelievable sight. This moss glows with a luminous green colour, transforming the ancient space.
While Carn Euny is known for its bioluminescent moss, there are also several types of mushrooms that exhibit this quality. More than 70 fungal species can glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction involving luciferase and oxygen. Some examples include the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, Mycena pura (commonly known as lilac bonnet), and Panellus stipticus, which is one of the brightest-glowing bioluminescent mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are. Mycena pura, also known as lilac bonnet, is one of the most common glow-in-the-dark mushrooms in Great Britain and Ireland.
Carn Euny, an Iron Age village in Cornwall, is said to have an underground tunnel with walls coated in bioluminescent moss.
Mushrooms produce a cold light due to a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. This chemical reaction is similar to the one that makes fireflies glow.
Mushrooms evolved the ability to glow in the dark to attract insects that would help them spread their spores.
