Emily Johnson
The world of mushrooms is incredibly diverse, with a myriad of shapes, sizes, and colours. Some mushrooms are even bioluminescent, glowing in the dark! With so many unique and beautiful species, it can be challenging to choose the prettiest mushroom. Some notable mentions include the elegant stinkhorn, with its bright reddish-orange colour; the ghost fungus, which glows a magnificent, eerie green at night; and the fly amanita, which inspired the Super Mushroom in the Mario game franchise. Other aesthetically pleasing mushrooms include the amethyst deceiver, with its bright amethyst colour, and the lion's mane, which has a distinctive appearance and potential health advantages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sarcoscypha coccinea |
| Common Names | Scarlet cup, Scarlet elf cup |
| Colour | Red interior, fades to orange with age |
| Size | Up to 1.5 inches (4 centimetres) wide |
| Habitat | Found on every continent except Antarctica, in damp areas on decaying sticks, branches, or leaves on forest floors |
| Edibility | Not mentioned |
Honourable Mentions:
- Rhodotus palmatus, also known as the netted rhodotus, the rosy veincap, and the wrinkled peach
- Clavaria zollingeri, commonly known as the violet coral or magenta coral
- Phallus Indusiatus, featuring a bell-shaped cap with a white, lace-like skirt
- Laccaria amethystina, commonly known as the amethyst deceiver
- Marasmius haematocephalus, featuring a thin, dark pink, lamp-shaped cap
- Mycena interrupta, a bright blue mushroom
- Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as Lion's Mane
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What You'll Learn
The 'shiny Ganoderma' species
The Ganoderma genus, established in 1881, includes about 80 species of polypore fungi, many of which are tropical. They are characterised by their large, woody brackets, also known as "conks", which grow on the trunks of living or dead trees. The name Ganoderma is derived from the Greek "ganos", meaning brightness or sheen, and "derma", meaning skin.
The Ganoderma genus was traditionally considered difficult to classify due to the lack of reliable morphological characteristics and the widespread misuse of names. The genus was previously divided into two sections: Ganoderma, with a shiny cap surface (e.g. Ganoderma lucidum), and Elfvingia, with a dull cap surface (e.g. G. applanatum). However, recent phylogenetic analyses have helped to clarify the relationships among the species, and the genus may now be divided into six monophyletic groups.
Some Ganoderma species, such as G. lucidum, have a long history of use in traditional medicine in China, Japan, and other Asian countries. G. lucidum is often regarded as the "'herb of spiritual potency'" and is believed to promote success, well-being, divine power, and longevity. Commercial products containing G. lucidum are available in various forms, including powders, dietary supplements, and teas. However, it is important to note that there is limited scientific evidence supporting the medicinal effectiveness of Ganoderma species in humans.
The Ganoderma curtisii species is an extremely rare find in Michigan. It is characterised by its bright white pore surface that bruises brown when touched or scratched, and its internal flesh, which varies from cream-white when young to deep chestnut brown at maturity. G. tsugae, another species within the Ganoderma genus, has a much shinier lacquer than other Ganoderma species in Michigan. Its internal flesh remains bright white even at maturity, maintaining a soft and spongy texture.
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The 'rosy veincap' or 'wrinkled peach'
The rosy veincap or wrinkled peach (Rhodotus palmatus) is a captivating and visually striking mushroom that has captured the attention of mushroom enthusiasts and photographers alike. This mushroom, with its vibrant colours and distinctive ridged and veined cap, is truly a sight to behold.
The wrinkled peach is a globally distributed mushroom found in various regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and even northern Africa. While it was once more commonly observed, declining populations in Europe have led to its appearance in over half of the European fungal Red Lists of threatened species.
The fruit body of the rosy veincap has a cap and stem without a ring or volva. The cap initially assumes a convex shape before flattening somewhat with age, and typically reaches widths of 2–6 centimetres (0.8–2.4 inches). The edges of the cap are rolled inwards, and the cap surface typically has a conspicuous network of lightly coloured ridges or veins that outline deep and narrow grooves or pits—a condition technically termed sulcate or reticulate. Between the ridges, the surface colour is somewhat variable; depending on the lighting conditions experienced by the mushroom during its development, it may range from salmon-orange to pink to red. The gills are pinkish, and the stem often “bleeds” orangey-pink droplets. The cap is pink when very young but becomes more peach-coloured with age. At first, it is very rounded, but then it matures to convex with its edges rolled under. With maturity, it will eventually flatten out. The cap shape and colour resemble a peach, often developing a deep reddish-orange colour.
The wrinkled peach mushroom caps are thick and gelatinous, with skin that can be peeled off completely. The skin is sticky and often bald, without any decoration. They may also feature a broad white netted pattern with interconnected veins and ridges that make them look wrinkled. The caps range from 1 to 3.25 inches wide. When the wrinkled peach chooses not to develop a deep reticulation, the mushroom is a lot less remarkable and often overlooked.
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The 'violet coral' or 'magenta coral'
The violet coral or magenta coral, also known by its scientific name Clavaria zollingeri, is a visually striking species of fungus. It is characterised by its tubular, purple to pinkish-violet fruit bodies, which can grow up to 10 cm tall and 7 cm wide. The slender branches of the fungus have rounded and brownish tips, and its colouring can vary from violet to amethyst, or even violet shaded with brown or red. The violet coral mushroom was first described scientifically by French mycologist Joseph-Henri Léveillé in 1846 and was named after Swiss botanist Heinrich Zollinger, who collected the type specimen in Java, Indonesia.
The violet coral is a widely distributed species and can be found in eastern North America, particularly in beds of moss below oak and hickory trees. Additionally, it has been spotted in Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Asia, including countries like Brunei, India, and Korea. In North America, its distribution is primarily restricted to the northeastern regions, although it has been discovered in isolated areas further south, such as Northern Arkansas. However, it is considered rare in Europe and is listed as a threatened species in Denmark and Great Britain.
The fruit bodies of the violet coral mushroom typically grow on the ground in woodland litter or grasslands, often near hardwood trees or mosses. They can grow either solitarily, in groups, or in clusters. As a saprobic species, the violet coral derives its nutrients by breaking down organic matter. While it may resemble other lavender to violet-coloured corals, such as Clavulina amethystinoides and Clavulina amethystina, it can be distinguished by its branching pattern and colour variations.
The violet coral mushroom is not just aesthetically pleasing but also reportedly has a mildly radish-like taste, adding another dimension to its appeal. Its unique appearance, with its tubular "antlers" and vibrant hues, makes it a captivating sight for mushroom enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
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The 'bleeding tooth fungus'
The Hydnellum peckii, commonly known as the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, is a unique and fascinating species of mushroom. This fungus is most commonly found in damp, dark, and mountainous forests, often growing on rotting wood. The Bleeding Tooth Fungus gets its name from its distinctive appearance, which features small tooth-like projections underneath its cap, and its tendency to bleed a red liquid when cut or damaged. This "blood" is not actually made of blood cells but is a special kind of fluid called extracellular fluid, which is thought to serve as a defensive mechanism to deter animals from eating the fungus and attract insects to help spread its spores. The red colour of the liquid is derived from a pigment found within the fungus.
The Bleeding Tooth Fungus is native to forests in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea, and has a symbiotic relationship with the coniferous trees among whose roots it is located. This mutualistic relationship involves the exchange of minerals and amino acids extracted from the soil by the fungus for fixed carbon from the host tree. The subterranean hyphae of the fungus grow a sheath of tissue around the tree's rootlets, facilitating the transfer of nutrients. This relationship is particularly beneficial to the host tree, which can more efficiently utilise the nutrients provided by the fungus.
The Bleeding Tooth Fungus has a distinctive appearance, with a cap atop a stem and tooth-like projections on the underside of the cap, known as a hymenium. When young, the mushroom's surface is covered in soft, velvety "hairs" that eventually fall off as it matures. As it ages, the colour of the fungus changes from white to beige, and its bleeding becomes less prominent. The adult form of the Bleeding Tooth Fungus is considered less visually striking and has a bitter taste, making it unappealing as a food source.
Despite its unappetising flavour, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus has been utilised by natural dyers, who dry the fungus to create beige dyes or combine it with mordants to produce blue-green hues. Additionally, the fungus has inspired artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, who depicted it in her paintings, highlighting its unique shape and colour. Overall, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus is a fascinating example of the diversity and beauty found within the kingdom of fungi.
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The bioluminescent 'ghost fungus'
The bioluminescent ghost fungus, Omphalotus nidiformis, is a widespread Australian temperate zone species generally found near Eucalyptus trees. It is also known as the Australian glow fungus and is one of more than 100 known bioluminescent fungus species. The ghost fungus glows in the dark due to a reaction between a compound called luciferin, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen—the same reaction that makes fireflies shine.
The ghost fungus's greenish glow is most visible in low-light conditions, and its intensity varies. William Henry Harvey once reported that the light was bright enough to read a watch by. The bioluminescence is produced by the fruit bodies, with the gills being the most luminescent part of the fungus. The ghost fungus is presumed to be poisonous.
The bioluminescent ghost fungus has several common names, including ghost fungus, Australian glow fungus, and jack o'lantern mushroom (O. olearius). The name ghost fungus was given by Italian mycologist Pier Andrea Saccardo, who placed the fungus in the genus Pleurotus in 1887. The name was later changed to Omphalotus nidiformis by Orson K. Miller Jr. in 1994.
The bioluminescent properties of the ghost fungus have been known since ancient times, but the ecological role of its glow is still unclear. One theory suggests that the light attracts insects, aiding in spore dispersal and colonisation of new regions. However, a 2016 study by Weinstein et al. found that the ghost fungus's bioluminescence did not attract potential spore-dispersing insects.
The ghost fungus is not the only bioluminescent fungus species. Several Omphalotus species worldwide exhibit similar bioluminescent properties, and laboratory breeding experiments have revealed that O. nidiformis is genetically distinct from other Omphalotus species, indicating long-term isolation.
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Frequently asked questions
While beauty is subjective, here are some mushrooms that are widely considered to be pretty:
- Rhodotus palmatus, also known as the netted rhodotus, the rosy veincap, and the wrinkled peach, is a rubbery mushroom with a cap that ranges in colour from light pink to peach with white wrinkles on the surface.
- Clavaria zollingeri, commonly known as the violet coral or magenta coral, is a coral (or clavarioid) fungus that resembles a group of small purple antlers.
- Phallus Indusiatus is an edible mushroom found mainly in the tropics with a bell-shaped cap and a white, lace-like skirt.
- Mycena interrupta is a species of bright blue mushrooms found in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Chile.
Other aesthetically pleasing mushrooms include the chanterelle, the jack o' lantern (omphalotus genus), the fly amanita, and the amethyst deceiver.
The ghost fungus, found in Australia, glows a magnificent eerie green at night. The Panellus stipticus, native to Eurasia, North America, and Australia, glows in the dark. Mycena chlorophos, found in subtropical Asian countries, emits a pungent ammonia smell and glows in the dark.
Yes, the Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as Lion's Mane, is a distinctive-looking mushroom that is being studied for its potential health benefits, such as treating neurological diseases like dementia.
