# The Ghost Mushroom (DD-289)

> 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.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-08-04
- Last updated: 2024-08-04
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-ghost-mushroom/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-289-F01**: The ghost fungus lives mainly in southern Australia and Tasmania. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Where it grows))_
- **DD-289-F02**: It's poisonous, though not lethal. _(Write-up · Exhibit E (Poisonous lookalike))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Where it grows**: The ghost fungus grows mainly in southern Australia and Tasmania.
2. **On dead wood**: It fruits in clusters on dead or dying wood, often eucalypts.
3. **Green glow**: It glows green through a luciferase-driven reaction.
4. **Named in 1844**: Miles Joseph Berkeley first described it in 1844.
5. **Poisonous lookalike**: It resembles oyster mushrooms but causes severe cramps and vomiting.

## Related case files

- [Crystal Jellies (DD-056)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/crystal-jellies/): I paired it with another organism that makes its own light
- [Fireflies (DD-090)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fireflies/): I linked more bioluminescence
- [Spores Galore! (DD-397)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/spores-galore/): I linked more fungi

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Native to Australia and Tasmania': right. I'd add it has also been reported from India, in 2012 and 2018.
- **Note**: 'Toxic and should not be consumed': right. Illudins cause severe cramps and vomiting, though it isn't known to be lethal.

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

- Duration: 27.8 s · Published: 2024-08-04
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C-Rhaj5Ndf1.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Where does the ghost fungus mainly grow?**  
A: It's also been reported from India. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Where it grows) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis)_

**Q: What does it grow on?**  
A: Eucalypts are common hosts. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (On dead wood) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis)_

**Q: What enzyme drives its glow?**  
A: It oxidizes a luciferin molecule. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Green glow) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis)_

**Q: When was it first described?**  
A: Berkeley named it Agaricus nidiformis. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Named in 1844) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis)_

**Q: What happens if you eat it?**  
A: Illudins are to blame. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Poisonous lookalike) · Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Omphalotus nidiformis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/