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Most people consider mushrooms to be the small, ugly cousins of the plant kingdom, but theirs is a surprisingly beautiful and wonderful world waiting to be explored. These beautiful mushrooms, captured by enthusiastic nature photographers, are a far cry from the ones you find in the woods or your local grocery store.
Most mushrooms, as we know them, are actually just the reproductive structure of the fungus they belong to – their fungal networks expand far further underground, and some fungi don't even sprout the sort of mushrooms that we're used to seeing. In fact, depending on your definition of “organism,” the largest living organism in the world is a fungus – there's a honey mushroom colony in Oregon that occupies about 2,000 acres of land!
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#1
Puffballs
HollyMason 11 years ago
I stepped on one last week in sandals! The cold yellow powder spraying on my foot definitely made me a little more cautious walking around!
EugBalasis 11 years ago
Great shot! But, hey, how they puffed the seeds out without any pressure...
Smith Alex 2 years ago (edited)
This Puffballs was gorgeous, enormous, and bulbous, redundant as a full moon..
cathmarciniak 11 years ago
Puffballs are such fun. Here's a short video with Steve Axford (photos below) showing the wonders of the puffball. http://bit.ly/1xXmnsl
RELATED:
#2
Mycena Chlorophos
AnejoConejo 11 years ago
Dude! Sorry, but those better be hallucinogenic or I'll be very upset.
ÖzgeBerrak 11 years ago
we can use their fuorescent chemical to visualized what is going on in the cell :)
#3
Marasmius Haematocephalus
ElizabethSzymanski 11 years ago
They look like poison because they are red. But, they are mushrooms that you eat ?
FaunBonewits 10 years ago
this kind is rare, more to be appreciated, Eat others that are plentiful like giant puff balls or hen of the woods- always leave some behind
Load More Replies... #4
Rhodotus Palmatus
Yvonne Davis 11 years ago
Is that a form of sap on the stem? Are they edible, poisonous or just to be aesthetically pleasing?
#5
Phallus Indusiatus
Thegreatcountryofverden 7 years ago
That's because mushrooms are simply reproductive organs of larger clusters of mycelium.
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David Dekker 9 years ago
Commonly called the bamboo fungus, bamboo pith, long net stinkhorn, crinoline stinkhorn or veiled lady.
CeliaBoothman 11 years ago
the Phallus Indusiatus is quite an impressive fungi, also you could add a picture of what it looks like when young, its habitat and season!
#6
Schizophyllum Commune
#7
Amethyst Deceiver
#8
Panus Fasciatus
#9
Clathrus Ruber
SharonHerrick 11 years ago
I've had these in my backyard in Kansas, but they didn't form into the honeycomb part on top, just the long part. They are crazy close up!
#10
Porcelain Fungus
Thomas Ruf 6 years ago
As an enthusiastic mushroom photographer from Switerland I am excited about your mushroom shots! Kind regards Thomas Ruf https://www.thomas-ruf.ch
#11
Cup Fungus
Sylvia Edwards 11 years ago
IS THAT SOME KIND OF CARNIVOROUS FUNGI EATING A FROG?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
#12
Lepiota
Candace Cruz 11 years ago
Wow, these are pretty unique. Like a sunflower base waiting to blossom.
#13
Leratiomyces
#14
Hydnellum Peckii
PersonnaNewell 11 years ago
I just checked this out on wikipedia. It says that the red liquid can be used as an anticoagulant. Looks like blood/helps with blood issues!
Marsha Browne 3 years ago
The common name for this fungus is "bleeding tooth." Pretty easy to see why.
#15
Favolaschia Calocera
#16
Cyathus Striatus
Zoe Theobald 5 years ago
They look like those flowerpots with the little magic crystals inside.
MatthewRummins 11 years ago
Like little birds' nests :D Maybe all of DNA is contained in ancient mushrooms that came from comets :D :D :D Maybe not, but very facinating
#17
Coprinus Comatus
MikeB 11 years ago
But don't eat them with alcoholic drinks or you'll be sick! MikeB
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Emelia Ruth Lucas 3 years ago
These are my all time favorite shroom. I like calling them witch shrooms :)
KitsuneOdagiri 11 years ago
it's strange and cute, the cap is look like you drop some black tint and it's dripping
MikeB 11 years ago
They belong to the genus Coprinus which are generally referred to as ink caps. This one is called shaggy cap or lawyers wig. C. comatus.
Load More Replies... Marsha Browne 3 years ago (edited)
The "judge's wig" (also known as "shaggy mane") coprinus is the Coprinus comatus. The C. atramentarius should not be eaten within a day or two of ingesting alcohol.. Same genus, different species.
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Sylvia Portillo 7 years ago
I found a bunch of these at school. I waited until everyone was in class and then I dug some up and brought them home so I could watch their life cycle. Amazing!
#18
Mushrooms With A Snail
Janice Stanford 11 years ago
This is fabulous! I keep searching the picture for a "real" fairy. :)
#19
Geastrum Minimum
#20
Aseroe Rubra
Yvonne Davis 11 years ago
A star got tired if being in the Skye and found a resting place. His father didn't turn on him but gave him a column to support him.
#21
Morchella Esculenta
Patricia Cerovski Berglin 8 years ago
i just picked 2 out of my lawn in Livingston Montana are they safe to touch or eat thank you
Yvonne Davis 11 years ago
It's like an egg where the shell softened up(spongiformed) but the yolk remained vibrant.
#22
Puffball Mushroom
VesselinaMartinova 11 years ago
Very handy mushroom. If you pit it on a bleeding wound it stops the bleeding with an antiseptic effect.
Tina Rowden 11 years ago
I thought the first mushroom were these! We always stepped on them for fun as kids, just to watch them explode!
#23
Crepidotus
KristenHz 11 years ago
I am beginning to think that mushrooms are the equivalent of sea anemones on land.
XistoGabriel 11 years ago
Yeah except anemones are animals other than that... well they don't produce their own food sooooo yea
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YvonneDavis 11 years ago
Was the Earth entirely covered by water and these mushrooms stayed in/on the Earth?
#24
Tiny Golden Mushrooms
Thegreatcountryofverden 7 years ago
Or at least strange, this one is definitely strange.
Load More Replies... #25
Chorioactis
TinaRowden 11 years ago
That looks like something you wouldn't even want to step on w/ your shoe on!
#26
Hairy Mycena
#27
Amanita Muscaria
Anejo Conejo 11 years ago
They believe that people ate magic mushrooms and thought these were what is now 'Santa Claus' and that reindeer could fly.
Lillukka79 5 years ago
Or the reindeer thought they could fly, they love these.
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#28
Cup Fungi
KristenHz 11 years ago
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells, and pretty maids all in a row.
John Buryiak 8 years ago
The symmetry of the space between the mushrooms indicates that this image has been digitally duplicated.
#30
Illuminated Mushroom
Lizzy Abbey (she/they) 3 years ago
you said it ,not me. (that's hilarious)
Load More Replies... #31
Tiny Orange Mushrooms
Final score:
37points
#32
Entoloma Hochstetteri
#33
Lactarius Indigo
#34
Mycena Viscidocruenta
#35
Cyptotrama Aspratum
#36
Black Fungus
#37
Panaleous Sphinctrinus
Final score:
33points
Kyle Eaton 11 years ago
Such simple mushrooms, but its the background that really catches the eye.
#38
Toothed Mushroom
Marsha Browne 3 years ago
Hericium erinaceous. When properly cooked, delicious, tasting faintly of crabmeat.
#39
Clavaria Zollingeri
#40
Parasola Miser
#41
Oudemansiella Mucida
#43
Illuminati
Final score:
30points
#44
Entoloma Hochstetteri
#45
Clathrus Archeri
John Buryiak 8 years ago
There are time lapse videos of these things "sprouting" that really do look like aliens bursting out of eggs.
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#47
Stemonitis Axifera
Rosser Gruffydd 11 years ago
I saw one of these colonies in Ayrshire - quite a few Myxomycetes are around if you look carefully
#48
Xylaria Hypoxylon
Final score:
26points
Annie Doneva 11 years ago
That's a damn great shot !!!! About the mushroom - no words needed....
#50
Clavaria Zollingeri
Final score:
25points
#51
Scutellinia Scutellata
Emma Hilliard 2 years ago
Or maybe amber! Maybe there’s a prehistoric mosquito inside and we can bring back the dinosaurs
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#53
Bay Bolete
Final score:
22points
AnnieDoneva 11 years ago
Stoenescu, all your photographs are so beautiful. And every time I see one I can tell that it's yours, without seeing your name under it.
StoenescuPaulCristian (Submission author) 11 years ago
Thank you for your comment! I really appreciate the nice word you wrote, it means a lot to me since I'm only starting in this field. Thanks!
Load More Replies... Annie Doneva 11 years ago
You just have your own style implemented in every shot! Pure beauty!!
#54
Helvella Lacunosa
#55
Wonderland Mushroom
Final score:
21points
#56
Marasmius Rotula
#57
Cookeina Tricholoma
#59
Purple Mushrooms In The Woods
Final score:
19points
#60
Morchella
Final score:
18points
#61
Hexogonia Artemisia
Final score:
18points
#62
Entoloma Hochstetteri
#63
Helvella Leucomelaena
#64
Mushrooms
Final score:
17points
EstherRavensdottir 11 years ago
This kind of mushroom, classified as shelf fungus, is called Turkey Tail Mushroom, or the latin name, Trametes versicolor.
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petru (Submission author) 11 years ago
I'd say they are mushrooms because the texture and consistency was that of a mushroom.
#70
Lycoperdon Perlatum
Final score:
15points
#71
Russian Muhomor
Final score:
15points
Annie Doneva 11 years ago
These (or similar) are what they draw and talk about in children's fairytale :)
#72
Leucocoprinus Birnbaumii
#74
Boletus Edulis
Final score:
14points
#76
Purple Amanita
Marsha Browne 3 years ago
Not an Amanita sp. It's an aged (i.e., the gills have already dropped their spores, which is why they're brownish). Laccaria amethystina -- the common name is "Amethyst Deceiver." These are edible, Amanitas, not so much.
#80
Coral Mushroom (if I Am Not Mistaken)
Final score:
12points
#81
Sailing Mushroom
Final score:
12points
#82
Coprinus Comatus
Final score:
12points
Ocean Star 6 years ago
This looks more like Coprinopsis picacea. Commonly mistaken for Coprinus comatus.
#83
Boletus Luridus
Final score:
11points
#85
Taken By My 7 Year Old Daughter...!
Final score:
11points
#86
Lafe
Final score:
11points
#87
Mutinus Caninus
#90
Boletus Edulis
Final score:
10points
#91
Amanita Pantherina
Final score:
10points
KristenHz 11 years ago
I have a picture of one of these on my wall... quite impressive in nature.
John McClane 5 years ago
I see them near me with caps the size of dinner plates....Great grilled and used as a pain killer
#92
Miniature Spa Stones
Final score:
10points
John Buryiak 8 years ago
They are commonly called "bird's nest mushrooms". See this Wikipedia page for info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidulariaceae
#98
Fly Agaric
Final score:
9points
#99
Up North Michigan
Final score:
9points
#100
White Translucent ( Wood Ear?)
Final score:
9points
#101
Shrroooommmeeeee
Final score:
8points
#102
Unexpected Life Inside A Dumpster
Final score:
8points
#105
Nature's Perfect Lines
Final score:
8points
#106
Amanita Phalloides
Final score:
8points
Marsha Browne 3 years ago
Hard to believe how dangerous this fungus is -- ingesting half of a cap is enough to kill an adult human being. But definitely beautiful.
#107
Morchella
Final score:
8points
Marie Lindell 11 years ago
Simlpy a very beautiful close up photo of that intricate mushroom :D I love it!
#108
Pink Oysters! (pleurotus Djamor)
Final score:
8points
#110
Clitopilus Prunulus
Final score:
7points
StefanVujcic 10 years ago
I'd say it's some Lactarius species, note white drops ooying from the gills....
#118
Shaggy Ink Cap
Final score:
6points
#121
Yellow Brain Fungi
Final score:
6points
Ferdy Christant (Submission author) 11 years ago
Captured in the Netherlands, by Ferdy Christant. Original: http://www.jungledragon.com/image/14009/macro_of_yellow_brain_fungi_hanging_on_tr
#123
Fall Beauties
Final score:
6points
#125
Trees?
Final score:
5points
#130
Dead Man's Fingers!
Final score:
5points
#131
Hairy Stereum
Final score:
5points
FerdyChristant (Submission author) 11 years ago
Captured in the Netherlands, by Ferdy Christant. Original: http://www.jungledragon.com/image/13992/gnome_town.html
#132
Flying Saucer In The Kimberley...
Final score:
5points
#135
Pezizaceae
Final score:
5points
#136
Omphalotus Olearius: Jack O' Lantern
Final score:
5points
#139
Puffball
Final score:
4points
Peggy Blank 5 years ago
Also found in Wisconsin. the farmers would hit the leg of a cow with it that had a bad cut or infection to help heal it.
#140
Blue !
Final score:
4points
#145
Light Catcher
Final score:
4points
#147
Aseroa Rubra
Final score:
4points
#151
Fall Beauties
Final score:
4points
YvonneDavis 11 years ago
It would be nice if you post the areas you took the mushroom photo's in. Thank you.
#154
Don't Know Tunisia Sobhanallah
Final score:
4points
MarcFranch 11 years ago
Parasitic plant: Cytinus hypocistis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytinus_hypocistis
#155
Dark Blue
Final score:
4points
SandraCastillo 10 years ago
Simplemente hermosas fotos... y q increible es el mundo de los Homgos (y)
#159
Wondermushroom_0705
Final score:
3points
#160
Amanita With Slug
Final score:
3points
EricCabana (Submission author) 11 years ago
It prepared for our rude winter ;)
Load More Replies... #161
Coprinus Micaceus
Final score:
3points
Annari Du Plessis (Submission author) 11 years ago
See a bigger version here: http://theogoth.deviantart.com/art/Mushrooms-in-Bark-235372101
#180
Leopard-spotted Earthball
Final score:
3points
Ferdy Christant (Submission author) 11 years ago
Captured in the Netherlands, by Ferdy Christant. Original: http://www.jungledragon.com/image/13974/the_end_of_the_rainbow.html
#184
Bioluminescent Mushroom By Leif Illuvatar
Final score:
3points
#186
All Caps
Final score:
3points
#191
Mushrooms In My Yard In Trinidad
Final score:
2points
MartinaCarma 11 years ago
Love this mushrooms! They are delicious fried in flour, egg and breadcrumbs!
#194
Wood Ear, Auricularia Auricula-judae
Final score:
2points
#197
An Old Married Couple
Final score:
2points
#209
Oh Look At This Fella
Final score:
2points
#215
Cubensis
Final score:
2points
#224
Lepiota ?
Final score:
1point
StefanVujcic 10 years ago
Certainly not Lepiota species, may be some Lepista or Entoloma, but I cannot say from just one picture :)
#227
Duiveltjesberg
Final score:
1point
#230
Cuc Phuong Viet Nam.
Final score:
1point
#238
Inverted Chandelier?
Final score:
1point
#249
No Clue
Final score:
1point
StefanVujcic 10 years ago
Macrolepiota procera, commonly known as Parasol mushroom, edible, tasty :)
#251
Phallus Impudicus
Final score:
1point
#257
Amanita Muscaria
Final score:
1point
#259
Orange Fungus
Final score:
1point
#260
Change Of The Season
Final score:
1point
Catharina Geerts 2 years ago
The way that big tree has grown, it almost looks as if a giant dog is sitting next to these mushrooms :)
#262
A No Brainier
Final score:
1point
#264
Satsuma On A Stick (rhodotus Palmatus)
Final score:
1point
#265
Lepiota - Northern Spain
Final score:
1point
Isis Alvarez (Submission author) 11 years ago
Is actually a Macrolepiota also known as Parasol mushroom (bored panda doesnt allow me to edit!)
#266
Norway Mountain Mushroom - Latin Name Anyone?
Final score:
1point
StefanVujcic 10 years ago
Hardly from just one photo... Something from the order Polyporales, but I cannot be more specific, if I had to geuss I'd place my bet on genus Trametes. Hope this will help a bit :)
#269
Amanita Muscaria
Final score:
1point
Catharina Geerts 2 years ago (edited)
And they grow in a circle. In Dutch that's called a "Heksenkring", a witches' circle ;)
#288
Can You Identify This Species? -photo By Marcella Kyrein
Final score:
0points
Cristiana Simoes 11 years ago
where do you take it? when? what is the specie of the tree? thank you
#300
Edible Mushrooms (coorg)
Final score:
-2points
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What do you think ?
ÖzgeBerrak 11 years ago
i think between all these mushrooms, we can find many things that useful for our helth, treatment for diseases, chemicals for using in labs.
YvonneDavidson 11 years ago
One of my favourite things, and what amazing photographs of incredible structures, colours and shapes...!
Lizzy Abbey (she/they) 3 years ago
buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut which one is the common edible mushroom
HeatherCrawford 11 years ago
have luved & been fascinated with fungi since i was a kid, nothing more beautiful.amazing organisms
ÖzgeBerrak 11 years ago
i think between all these mushrooms, we can find many things that useful for our helth, treatment for diseases, chemicals for using in labs.
YvonneDavidson 11 years ago
One of my favourite things, and what amazing photographs of incredible structures, colours and shapes...!
Lizzy Abbey (she/they) 3 years ago
buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut which one is the common edible mushroom
HeatherCrawford 11 years ago
have luved & been fascinated with fungi since i was a kid, nothing more beautiful.amazing organisms
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