Photographer Guy Edwardes
Agency naturepl.com
These captivating photographs resemble illustrations from a fairy tale book, but the true magic lies in the natural world of fungi. The image above exhibits clusters of bell-shaped Mycena fungi as night falls. These fungi are particularly notable for their small size, measuring only a few centimeters.
The amethyst deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) thrives in the leaf litter of forests and serves as a vital food source for fly larvae. Although edible for humans, it is not considered a preferred mushroom. It is important for collectors to be cautious in distinguishing it from the poisonous lilac fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina), which bears a resemblance to the amethyst deceiver.
The photograph above showcases the variable oysterling fungus (Crepidotus variabilis) with its distinctive kidney-shaped appearance. This fungus grows on dead branches but is not suitable for consumption. Below is the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), a hallucinogenic but deadly species native to the northern hemisphere.
These stunning images are part of a collection titled Mushroom Magic by photographer Guy Edwardes. Edwardes captured various images of different fungi species found near his home in Dorset, UK, showcasing the remarkable diversity in the world of fungi.
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