Close up Gill Detail of a Nibbled Fly Agaric Fungus (Amanita muscaria) Growing in a Birch Wood. Great Torrington, Devon, England.
This colourful fungi can be found growing from poor soil in pine and birch woods. The distinctive scarlet cap with white warts can be found in late summer and autumn. During wet weather the white patches are washed off and the colour can fade to a pale orange. It is often used in illustrating 'Fairy Tales'. The earliest known illustration of this species is in a famous fresco in a ruined church at Plaincourault, France. It is poisonous but has been used throughout history in various countries to produce hallucinations. It is said that the Vikings would consume quantities before going into battle. The greatest honour was to drink the Chief's urine after he had eaten this fungi. However, there are no contemporary records relating to this tradition. A recent article in 'Scientific American' suggests that this species exists symbiotically with the trees. The tree providing glucose and sucrose and in return the fungi's extensive hyphael system provides the tree with water and minerals.
Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: Great Torrington, Devon, England.
Photo credit: © John Insull / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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