Mushrooms and Toadstools - Many a Fun Guy

It is estimated that there are at least 1.5 million different species of fungi, which includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds as well as the largest organism on earth; a honey fungus that measures 2.4 miles (3.8 km) across located in the Blue Mountains of Oregon, USA.

Man and mushroom have a long history. In fact, mushrooms share more DNA with man than they do with plants so the next time someone tells you they feel like a mushroom (fed very little and kept in the dark) tell them they’re great great grandfather could well have been one.

With people becoming more concerned about what’s in their food and where has it been sourced, foraging has seen an upsurge in popularity in countries such as the UK. Whilst the phrase ‘I’m going mushroom picking’ still receives a raised an eyebrow, a nudge and a wink there are a growing number of people who know their bay bolete from their true morel. Besides, reindeers have scoffed all the fly agaric mushrooms in preparation for Christmas. The fantastical myth of flying reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh stems from people consuming fly agarics and having out-of-body experiences. We’re therefore left to wonder what reindeer must make of it all. Whatever it is they keep going back for more.

We’ve selected 15 images of some fun guys for you to check out.