The Magic and Myth of British Fungi

Fungi, the mushrooms, toadstools and some other types, are a strange breed that are no longer regarded as plants but are not animals either. However, I still think of them as representatives of the vegetable kingdom. Like flowers of the Earth they grow but without the need of sunlight or the green pigment chlorophyll.

This gives them a certain advantage and means that they can flourish in dark and low-lit locations. It means they can still do well when other plants and trees are struggling with the shortened hours of daylight in autumn and winter. It is often at this time of year, at least before the frost, ice and snow, that these peculiar ‘blooms’ come into their own and suddenly appear in large numbers in our gardens, fields, parks, forests and moorlands.

Often they have unusual colours and bizarre forms like something alien from a sci-fi or horror film. Not only do they have peculiar appearances but they are often cold and clammy to the touch as well.

Some are very ephemeral, lasting only a day or so in their fruiting body, which we see above the ground or maybe protruding from a tree-trunk or stump. In actuality, and unknown to many people, fungi can, like trees, be incredibly old living organisms, which each year extend their underground body of fungal threads or mycelium.

Many are poisonous but many more are not and make an excellent source of food. Some are useful for all manner of purposes, ranging from tinder to sources of dye.

There are mushroom growing kits so you can grow your own at home, and there are many different varieties you can try cultivating.

Many are psychoactive and possess hallucinogenic properties and have been used the world over by cultures founded on shamanism. The Fly Agaric, unmistakable with its red cap dotted with white, has been used by ancient cultures including the Sami people of Lapland. It is thought by some authors to have been the origin of the idea of Father Christmas being dressed in red and white, and is the subject of the controversial book The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John Allegro. 

In modern times, some of these psychoactive fungi, such as the Psilocybin-containing “Magic mushrooms”have become popular with recreational drug-users and laws have been passed in many countries to attempt to curb this usage.

One thing is for sure, that a vast number of delicious and nutritious species are readily available from our fields and forests for the knowledgeable picker to collect as food for free. Up until recently the identification of such types was handed down and still survives in many areas of Europe and Scandinavia.

Dishes made from wild mushrooms are regarded as gourmet delicacies, while over in China, Japan and the Orient, fungi are incredibly important, as not only a source of food but also as medicines.

For a variety of reasons, people in general have lost the knowledge of which fungi are useful and harmless and not only that but an actual fear and loathing for these strange plants has developed in many folk. Often a potentially good meal is deliberately kicked over and destroyed due only to ignorance and superstition.

However, it needs to be stressed that there are a small number of very dangerous and potentially lethal mushrooms that can be mistaken by the inexperienced picker for harmless types. To avoid the tragic consequences of such actions detailed information is required, best obtained from an experienced and trustworthy expert on fungi.

With this in mind, it is a good idea to watch out for any guided fungus walks being organized in your area. The best rule-of-thumb is if in any doubt at all to leave well alone. After all it is better to be safe than sorry and a free meal that turns out to be your last one is definitely not recommended.

Even if you do not wish to eat fungi, they can be really interesting to study and make excellent subjects for paintings and photography. There is a whole wealth of wonder and veritable panoply of delights to be found in the magical world of fungi.

The magic of the mushrooms awaits you in a field or forest in your neighbourhood.

Footnote: The text above represents the slightly edited version of the introduction to a book I started writing several years ago but never continued. I just found it again so thought I would publish this here.

Copyright © 2012 Steve Andrews. All Rights Reserved.