fungipunk: My first Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) of the year. Fly Agaric is the quintessential toad
fungipunk: My first Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) of the year. Fly Agaric is the quintessential toadstool of myth and legend. No childhood fairytale is complete without an appearance from this iconic mushroom. The crimson red cap, often covered in white flecks which are the remnants of the universal veil, positively screams out danger! Although consumption is best avoided, in reality Fly Agaric is seldom fatal if consumed on its own. Countless articles have been written regarding its use in ritual and religion, particularly during Shamanic practices, when it is eaten to help induce a transcendental state. In woodlands, Fly Agaric is typically found growing in association with Birch, with which it forms a symbiotic relationship called a mycorrhiza. Searching around Birches is the best place to start if you are looking to find them. To me, its appearance is an indication that Autumn is just around the corner. It is certainly one of the most striking mushrooms, a real pleasure to find and photograph. Hopefully this will be the first of many. -- source link