John Miller
Bioluminescent mushrooms are a rare sight, with only a handful of species known to exist. However, they can be found in various locations around the world, from the rainforests of Brazil to the forests of India and even in North America and Europe. These glowing fungi have fascinated people for thousands of years, from Greek philosopher Aristotle to Aboriginal folklore. Today, they continue to captivate and offer potential for practical applications, such as organic architecture and street lighting. For those eager to witness this phenomenon, Brazil's Atlantic Forest boasts the world's highest concentration of glowing mushrooms, with 27 species found in the Ribeira Valley.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Brazil's Atlantic Forest, Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, North America, India, Australia, Asia, Polynesia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, South Africa |
| Common names | Bleeding fairy helmet, jack-o'-lantern, eternal light mushroom, Flor de Coco, honey fungus, Green Pepe |
| Scientific names | Mycena haematopus, Mycena luxaeterna, Armillaria mellea, Favolaschia manipularis, Filoboletus hanedae, Mycena noctilucens, Roridomyces sp., Neonothopanus sp., Omphalotus sp., Gerronema viridilucens, Panellus stipticus |
| Mushroom characteristics | Glowing stems, glowing gills, glowing mycelia, glowing stipes, glowing caps |
| Other characteristics | Bioluminescence, bright glow, eerie green glow, luminous neon-green glow, luminescent green light, soft glow, toxic |
| Mushroom habitats | Rainforests, dead bamboo, tree trunks, fallen branches, decomposing palm leaves |
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What You'll Learn
Brazil's Atlantic Forest
The Atlantic Forest is known for its bioluminescent mushrooms, with 27 of the 100 known species of bioluminescent mushrooms worldwide found in this forest. These mushrooms emit a luminous neon-green glow at night and flourish in the humidity on tree trunks and fallen branches on the forest floor.
Mycena luxaeterna, also known as the eternal light mushroom, is one of the bioluminescent mushrooms found in the Atlantic Forest. Its thin, hollow, gel-covered stems glow constantly, but only after dark and its distribution is limited to the rainforests of São Paulo, Brazil. Another species found in the Atlantic Forest is Mycena lucentipes, one of six new species of bioluminescent mushrooms discovered in Brazil.
Bioluminescent mushrooms are found across various continents, and they belong mostly to the genus Mycena. They "bleed" poison and take on various shapes and colours. They glow due to a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen—the same reaction that causes fireflies to light up. This reaction allows mushrooms to attract insects to help spread their spores.
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Meghalaya, India
In 2018, scientists from the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, embarked on a project to assess the fungal biodiversity of four states in Northeast India: Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. During their expedition in Meghalaya, they were surprised to learn from locals that bioluminescent mushrooms existed in the region. The villagers guided the team down a dark forest path, where they witnessed tiny pinpricks of light coming from a stream. The mushrooms were later found to be a new species, named Roridomyces phyllostachydis, and were the first fungus in this genus to be discovered in India.
These rare "electric mushrooms" were first sighted on a wet August night near a stream in Meghalaya's Mawlynnong in the East Khasi Hills district. They were later spotted in Krang Shuri in the West Jaintia Hills district. The mushrooms grow on dead bamboo, specifically the Phyllostachys mannii species. During the day, they look ordinary, but at night, they emit a bright green glow. Local residents have used the glowing bamboo sticks as natural torches to navigate the forest at night.
The Roridomyces genus is very fragile and thrives in moist and humid conditions. Bioluminescent mushrooms are thought to have co-evolved with specific insects, attracting them to help disperse their spores. While the purpose of bioluminescence in these mushrooms is still a mystery, research has shown that the phenomenon is regulated by a circadian clock, with light production peaking at night.
To see these bioluminescent mushrooms in Meghalaya, one would need to venture into the bamboo forests of the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts. With the help of local residents, visitors can navigate to the streams and dark forest paths where these mushrooms thrive and experience the eerie and spectacular sight of their natural bioluminescence.
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North America
In North America, the jack-o'-lantern mushroom is a well-known bioluminescent species that glows in the gills and mycelia on the underside of its cap. It is often found in the southern Appalachian Mountains and can be seen in great numbers from June to September. The North American Mycological Association is a good resource for finding these mushrooms, as well as other bioluminescent species on the continent.
The bleeding fairy helmet is another bioluminescent mushroom that can be found in North America, though its glow is weak and difficult to see. It is known for its beautiful burgundy-hued caps.
The Panellus stipticus, or bitter oyster mushroom, is one of the brightest bioluminescent mushrooms globally, and certain strains of it found in North America are bioluminescent. They glow most prominently during spore maturation.
The Armillaria mellea is another species of bioluminescent fungi that can be found across North America, in addition to Asia, Europe, and South Africa.
For those who want a more accessible option, the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, featured the first-ever museum exhibit on bioluminescence in 2010, displaying various bioluminescent organisms.
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Great Britain and Ireland
Bioluminescent mushrooms are a fascinating phenomenon, and they can be found in various locations across Great Britain and Ireland. These glowing fungi are not only visually captivating but also hold scientific significance, offering insights into the complex world of mycology. Here are some places where you might be able to witness these luminous mushrooms in Great Britain and Ireland:
Carn Euny, Cornwall
Located in Cornwall, Carn Euny is an Iron Age village that boasts a unique attraction: a fogou, or a stone-walled underground tunnel leading to a human-made bunker/cave. The cave walls are coated in a stunning bioluminescent moss, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. This site is highly recommended for those seeking a magical experience.
Mycena pura (Lilac Bonnet)
Mycena pura, commonly known as Lilac Bonnet, is a species of mushroom that thrives primarily in the habitats of Great Britain and Ireland. It is known for its unique coloration, which is accentuated by its glow. Keep an eye out for this distinctive mushroom on your nature walks.
Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea)
Honey Fungus, or Armillaria mellea, is a type of bioluminescent mushroom that can be found in certain parts of the UK. While it is brighter than some other UK species, its light is still faint and best observed on very dark, cloudy, and moonless nights in dense woodland areas with minimal light pollution. Its glowing presence in the darkness is a testament to the wonders of nature.
Mycena luxaeterna (Eternal Light Mushroom)
The Mycena luxaeterna, aptly named the eternal light mushroom, is a fascinating species. While it may appear rather ordinary during daylight hours, after dark, its thin, hollow, gel-covered stems glow with an eerie green light. This mushroom is most commonly found in Great Britain and Ireland, so keep a lookout for this ethereal fungus on your evening strolls.
In conclusion, Great Britain and Ireland offer several opportunities to witness the enchanting phenomenon of bioluminescent mushrooms. From the ancient setting of Carn Euny in Cornwall to the natural habitats of the Lilac Bonnet and Eternal Light Mushroom, each location provides a unique experience of these glowing wonders. Remember to respect nature and practice responsible observation to preserve these delicate fungi for future generations.
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São Paulo, Brazil
The IPBio Betary Reserve, a 148-acre stretch of rainforest in the Ribeira Valley, is dedicated to conservation, research, and sustainability. The reserve is home to 27 species of bioluminescent mushrooms, the highest concentration in the world. University of São Paulo associate professor Cassius Stevani leads nighttime tours to see the neon fungi.
The Alto Ribeira Tourist State Park (PETAR) in the Ribeira Valley is a UNESCO-recognised site with one of the world's largest concentrations of caverns. The park offers abseiling adventures into the Caverna do Diabo, a 600-million-year-old cavern with well-preserved cathedral-like chambers and natural formations. New in 2023, the Planeta Trilha guides, trained by Cassius Stevani, highlight bioluminescent organisms in the forest around Caverna de Santana, the most visited cavern in PETAR.
Flor de Coco (Neonothopanus gardneri) is a bioluminescent mushroom species indigenous to the Brazilian states of Goiás, Piauí, and Tocantins. It was first documented by English botanist George Gardner in 1840 after he observed boys playing with the glowing fungi in Vila de Natividade, Brazil. The mushroom grows on decomposing palm leaves and is one of the largest and brightest bioluminescent species.
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Frequently asked questions
You can see bioluminescent mushrooms in the forests of Meghalaya, specifically in the West Jayantia Hills District and Mawlynnong, East Khasi Hills District.
Brazil's Atlantic Forest is a hot spot for biodiversity and is home to the world's highest concentration of glowing mushrooms. The IPBio Betary Reserve in the Ribeira Valley offers nighttime hunts for neon fungi.
Armillaria mellea is a species of luminescent fungi found across Europe, as well as North America, Asia, and South Africa.
Honey fungus, a bioluminescent mushroom, grows endemically in subtropical Asia, including India, Japan, Taiwan, Polynesia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Panellus stipticus is a bioluminescent mushroom species found in certain parts of North America. The jack-o'-lantern mushroom can also be found in North America, but it is more commonly found in Europe.
