Wild Wednesday - Fly agaric
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is a fungus found in parks and woodland, growing under birch or pine trees, where it helps by transferring nutrients into their roots. It attracts and kills flies – which is where its name comes from.
With a bright red cap with white flaky spots and white gills (under the cap), it’s the type of toadstool seen in fairytale books and was commonly on Christmas cards in Victorian and Edwardian times. The name ‘toadstool’ probably came from the fact that they look like a perfect spot for a toad to sit. Some believe the term ‘toadstool’ means a mushroom that is poisonous.
Usually seen between late summer and early winter, growing up to twenty centimetres across and thirty centimetres tall. Despite its savoury smell, it is poisonous and has hallucinogenic properties, so if you see it, be safe, and don't even touch it.
Although it is toxic to humans, some animals such as red squirrels and slugs eat fly agaric and seem to be unaffected by the poison. Fungus gnats are small flies that lay eggs on fungus and when they hatch the larvae feed on the fruiting body.
This fungus has reproduction spores that line the gills on the bottom of the cap, these are dispersed in large amounts, which is a method that increases chances of reproduction.
Read more here: Fly agaric | The Wildlife Trusts