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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment

EXPLAINED: Young country diary finding fly agaric was like a fairytale - The Real Truth

Fly agaric fungi in a misty wood
Fly agaric fungi. ‘The vibrant eye-catching colour was instantly recognisable.’ Photograph: Family handout

If you ask someone to draw a mushroom, chances are they will draw a red cap with white dots and a stalk, but they have probably never seen one like this outside of a book. I saw these elusive mushrooms for the first time this autumn when we went to Dalby Forest.

It was early morning and the mist was rolling across the forest, making everything slightly damp. I love forests at this time of year, with the decomposing leaves creating that autumn smell, letting you know that winter is getting closer. I had come with my family to go on a forest walk, and that’s when I saw it.

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