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The Ghost Mushroom

Short answer: The ghost fungus, Omphalotus nidiformis, is a bioluminescent mushroom found mainly in southern Australia and Tasmania, with reports from India in 2012 and 2018.

Its fan- or funnel-shaped caps grow in overlapping clusters on dead or dying wood, often eucalypts, and give off a soft green glow in the dark. Fungal bioluminescence comes from an enzyme, luciferase, oxidizing a luciferin molecule. English naturalist Miles Joseph Berkeley first described it in 1844 as Agaricus nidiformis, from material collected by the Scottish naturalist James Drummond. It resembles edible oyster mushrooms but is poisonous: not lethal, but eating it causes severe cramps and vomiting, which are attributed to compounds called illudins. The footage shows clusters of green-glowing mushrooms on a tree at night.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about The Ghost Mushroom?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The ghost fungus lives mainly in southern Australia and Tasmania.

    DD-289-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Where it grows)

  2. It's poisonous, though not lethal.

    DD-289-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit E (Poisonous lookalike)

Video transcript: The Ghost Mushroom: Some Australian Forests Glow Green at Night

DID YOU KNOW? The ghost mushroom is a bioluminescent fungus native to Australia and Tasmania known for its eerie glow. This mushroom emits a soft greenish light visible in dark conditions. The luminescence is due to a chemical reaction involving luciferin, luciferase, and oxygen. Ghost mushrooms typically grow on decaying wood particularly in eucalypt forests. While visually striking these mushrooms are toxic and should not be consumed. Their ghostly glow and unique appearance make them a subject of fascination for both mycologists and curious onlookers. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 27.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonThe Ghost Mushroom · Instagram Reel
The Ghost Mushroom: Some Australian Forests Glow Green at Night Instagram Reel · · 27.8s

The write-up

Some Australian forests glow green at night. It looks like an oyster mushroom, but it's poisonous.

  1. Exhibit A

    Where it grows

    The ghost fungus grows mainly in southern Australia and Tasmania.

  2. Exhibit B

    On dead wood

    It fruits in clusters on dead or dying wood, often eucalypts.

  3. Exhibit C

    Green glow

    It glows green through a luciferase-driven reaction.

  4. Exhibit D

    Named in 1844

    Miles Joseph Berkeley first described it in 1844.

  5. Exhibit E

    Poisonous lookalike

    It resembles oyster mushrooms but causes severe cramps and vomiting.

Questions people ask about The Ghost Mushroom

Where does the ghost fungus mainly grow?

It's also been reported from India.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Where it grows) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

What does it grow on?

Eucalypts are common hosts.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (On dead wood) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

What enzyme drives its glow?

It oxidizes a luciferin molecule.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Green glow) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

When was it first described?

Berkeley named it Agaricus nidiformis.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Named in 1844) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

What happens if you eat it?

Illudins are to blame.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Poisonous lookalike) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Where does the ghost fungus mainly grow?

    1. Southern Australia and Tasmania
    2. Northern Canada
    3. The Sahara
    4. Iceland
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Southern Australia and Tasmania It's also been reported from India. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Where it grows) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

  2. What does it grow on?

    1. Dead or dying wood
    2. Bare rock
    3. Sand
    4. Living leaves
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Dead or dying wood Eucalypts are common hosts. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (On dead wood) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

  3. What enzyme drives its glow?

    1. Luciferase
    2. Amylase
    3. Lipase
    4. Pepsin
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Luciferase It oxidizes a luciferin molecule. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Green glow) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

  4. When was it first described?

    1. 1844
    2. 1944
    3. 1744
    4. 2004
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 1844 Berkeley named it Agaricus nidiformis. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Named in 1844) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

  5. What happens if you eat it?

    1. Severe cramps and vomiting
    2. Nothing
    3. Glowing skin
    4. Instant death
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Severe cramps and vomiting Illudins are to blame. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Poisonous lookalike) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Ghost Mushroom." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-289, last updated Aug 4, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-ghost-mushroom/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-ghost-mushroom/ · Last updated

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