Emma Wilson
Fairy rings, also known as elf or pixie rings, are naturally occurring circular formations of mushrooms. They are often found in open grassy places and forests. The name 'fairy ring' comes from folklore, which states that the formations are created by fairies dancing in a circle. Fairy rings are caused by an individual fungus growing underground and sprouting a network of thread-like filaments called mycelium, which spread out in a circular pattern. As the fungus grows, it releases enzymes that break down larger molecules in the soil, absorbing the nutrients through the walls of the filaments. The fairy ring grows outward from the centre, and when the nutrients in the centre are exhausted, the centre dies, leaving a ring of mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formation | A fairy ring starts when the mycelium (spawn) of a mushroom falls in a favourable spot and sends out a subterranean network of fine, tubular threads called hyphae. |
| Hyphae growth | The hyphae grow out from the spore evenly in all directions, forming a circular mat of underground hyphal threads. |
| Mushroom growth | The mushrooms that grow up from this circular underground mat form a similar pattern above ground. |
| Centre death | Gradually the underground mycelium at the centre of the circle dies out. |
| Ring growth | The living outer edges of the mycelium keep growing year by year, and hence the diameter of the ring gradually increases. |
| Nutrient absorption | The mycelium of a fungus growing in the ground absorbs nutrients by secreting enzymes from the tips of the hyphae. |
| Nutrient breakdown | This breaks down larger molecules in the soil into smaller molecules that are absorbed through the hyphae walls near their growing tips. |
| Secondary ring | By the time a circle of mushrooms reaches about 6 metres (20 ft) in diameter, rabbit droppings have replenished the nitrogen levels near the centre of the circle, and a secondary ring may start to grow inside the first. |
| Ring size | Fairy rings can grow to be over 30 feet (10 m) in diameter. One ring formed in France by the fungus Clitocybe geotropa is almost a half-mile (600 m) in diameter. |
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What You'll Learn
The role of mycelium and hyphae
Fairy rings are formed by the mycelium of a mushroom, which falls in a favourable spot and sends out a subterranean network of fine, tubular threads called hyphae. The mycelium is the spawn of a mushroom, and the hyphae are thread-like branching filaments that make up the mycelium. The hyphae grow out from the spore evenly in all directions, forming a circular mat of underground hyphal threads. The mushrooms that grow from this circular mat form a similar pattern above ground, creating a fairy ring.
The mycelium moves outward from the centre, and when the nutrients in the centre are exhausted, the centre dies, forming a living ring. The mushrooms that grow from this living ring are the fairy rings that we see. The mushrooms are simply the reproductive parts, like fruit in plants. The mycelium, on the other hand, is like the roots of the fungus, spreading outward and making the mushrooms form a circle.
The mycelium of a fungus growing in the ground absorbs nutrients by secreting enzymes from the tips of the hyphae. This breaks down larger molecules in the soil into smaller molecules that are absorbed through the hyphae walls near their growing tips. The hyphae also secrete chemicals into the ground ahead of the mycelium. These chemicals break down organic matter, releasing nutrients so that the mycelium will have food when it reaches this area.
The size of a fairy ring can indicate how long it has been growing. The more mature the mycelium is, the more likely it is to fruit, and the larger the ring-shaped fruiting structure becomes. The diameter of a fairy ring can increase by up to 8 inches (20 cm) per year, and some of the largest rings ever found are hundreds of years old.
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Nutrient absorption and depletion
Fairy rings are formed by the mycelium of a fungus growing underground in a circular pattern. The mycelium is made up of thread-like branching filaments called hyphae, which grow out from a spore in all directions. The mycelium moves outward from the centre, absorbing nutrients from the soil. This process of nutrient absorption and depletion plays a crucial role in the formation of fairy rings:
Nutrient Absorption:
The mycelium of the fungus absorbs nutrients from the soil through the secretion of enzymes from the tips of the hyphae. These enzymes break down larger molecules in the soil into smaller molecules that can be absorbed through the hyphae walls near their growing tips. This process allows the fungus to obtain the necessary nutrients for growth and development.
Nutrient Depletion:
As the mycelium grows outward, it can deplete the soil of readily available nutrients, particularly nitrogen. This depletion of nutrients in the centre of the circle can lead to the death of the central mycelium, forming a living ring. The mushrooms that grow above ground are the reproductive parts of the fungus, and they appear in a ring pattern as a result of the nutrient depletion in the centre.
The depletion of nutrients can also affect the plants growing within the circle, causing stress and discoloration. In grass, for example, fairy rings can result in dead grass over the growing edge of the mycelium as it uses up all the available nutrients in the soil, starving the grass. However, as the central mycelium dies and breaks down, it returns nutrients to the soil, allowing grass to grow again.
Additionally, some fungi produce chemicals that act like hormones, affecting plant growth. These chemicals can cause rapid and luxuriant growth in plants within or near the fairy ring. The presence of rabbits can also influence the cycle of fairy rings, as they crop the grass short and their nitrogen-rich droppings can replenish nitrogen levels, facilitating the growth of secondary rings within the first.
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Formation of secondary rings
The formation of secondary rings, also known as nested fairy rings, is a fascinating aspect of mushroom fairy rings. This phenomenon occurs when a new ring develops within an existing ring. Here are some key insights into the formation of these secondary rings:
Nutrient Depletion and Renewal
The growth of secondary rings is closely tied to the nutrient dynamics within the fairy ring. The primary ring forms when the mycelium, or spawn, of a mushroom falls in a favourable spot, sending out a network of fine, tubular threads called hyphae. As the hyphae grow outward from the centre, they deplete the nutrients in the soil, particularly nitrogen. This nutrient depletion causes the centre of the ring to die, forming a living ring structure.
Secondary Ring Initiation
In the case of secondary rings, the process begins similarly. As the primary ring expands, it eventually exhausts the nutrients in its path, leading to the death of the central mycelium. However, rabbit droppings and other organic matter can replenish nitrogen levels and provide a fresh source of nutrients near the centre of the primary ring. This nutrient renewal triggers the growth of a new, secondary ring within the existing ring.
Expansion and Interaction of Rings
Both the primary and secondary rings continue to expand outward. Over time, they may grow into each other's territory, eventually colliding and dying as they reach each other's "dead zone." This interaction between rings can lead to complex patterns, including doubled arcs, sickle-shaped arcs, and other intricate formations.
Long-Term Development
The formation and expansion of secondary rings can occur over extended periods. Scientists can measure the advance of the fungus and estimate the age of a fairy ring by studying its growth. Some large fairy rings, such as the one formed by Clitocybe geotropa in France, are believed to be hundreds of years old, showcasing the long-term development of these secondary rings.
Role of Mycelial Growth
The growth pattern of the mycelium plays a crucial role in the formation of secondary rings. The mycelium grows outward from the centre, and its living outer edges continue to expand year after year, increasing the diameter of the ring. This outward growth can lead to the formation of secondary rings as the mycelium seeks new sources of nutrients.
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The folklore and mythology
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, or pixie rings, are a naturally occurring phenomenon. They are rings or arcs of mushrooms that are usually found in forested areas, but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. Fairy rings have been the subject of folklore and mythology worldwide, especially in Western Europe.
Folklore and Mythology
In contrast, Austrian and Tyrolean folklore attribute fairy rings to the fiery tails of flying dragons, after which only toadstools could grow in those places for seven years. French folklore warns of giant, bug-eyed toads guarding the strange circles, cursing anyone who violates them. Dutch legends and German mythology associate fairy rings with the Devil, claiming that the barren centre of the ring was caused by the Devil placing his milk churn there. According to Dutch superstition, any cows that entered the circle would have their milk turn sour.
Fairy rings are generally regarded as dangerous places for humans to enter, with English and Celtic tales warning that those who enter will be forced to dance with the creatures until they go mad or perish from exhaustion. Some stories even suggest that humans who enter the fairy realm may not be able to return, and if they do, the shock could kill them. However, not all myths surrounding fairy rings are negative. Some legends consider them to be good luck, and in Switzerland and Russia, fairy rings are believed to mark hidden treasure that can only be found with the aid of fairies or witches.
Fairy rings have sparked curiosity and fear for thousands of years, with people regarding them as mystical and supernatural places. While modern understanding of mushrooms and fungi is based on biology, ecology, and chemistry, the folklore and mythology surrounding fairy rings continue to capture the imagination.
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Fairy rings in different locations
Fairy rings are mainly found in forested areas, but they can also appear in grasslands or rangelands. They are detectable by sporocarps (fungal spore pods) in rings or arcs, as well as by a necrotic zone (dead grass) or a ring of dark green grass.
In southern England, fairy rings used to be common on the chalky soils of Wiltshire and Dorset. On the South Downs, Calocybe gambosa has formed huge fairy rings that appear to be several hundred years old. Another large ring, this time in northeastern France, is thought to be about 300 metres (980 ft) in diameter and over 700 years old. Formed by Infundibulicybe geotropa, it is one of the largest rings ever found.
Fairy rings are also found in Wisconsin, where they are a common problem for homeowners and golf courses. Type 1 fairy rings are the most common on golf course putting greens, while Type 2 and Type 3 fairy rings are more likely to appear on home lawns.
In addition to these locations, fairy rings have been reported in Sweden, where soil analysis of a fairy ring under Norway spruce and Scots pine yielded fourteen halogenated low molecular weight organic compounds.
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Frequently asked questions
A fairy ring is a naturally occurring circular ring of mushrooms. They are found in open grassy places and in forests.
Fairy rings are caused by an individual fungus growing underground. The fungus sprouts lots of small threads, called mycelium, in a circular shape. The mushrooms pop up out of the ground at the edge of the circle, creating the fairy ring. The circle starts off small and gets bigger as it gets older.
Fairy rings get their name from an old folk tale. People once believed that mushrooms growing in a circle followed the path made by fairies dancing in a ring. Some cultures believe that fairy rings are portals to another world, while others say that they bring good luck and are a sign of an underground fairy village.
