this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2023
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Mycology

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Quite new to foraging, how come these mushrooms grow in a circle?

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[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 113 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm no expert but these are called Fairy Circles iirc. Apparently whatever substrate they grow on is consumed, so they expand in a circular fashion- think of burning a paper starting from a point in its center.

[–] meyotch@slrpnk.net 40 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That’s my understanding too, the substrate often being a root ball from a long gone tree

[–] Gsus4@feddit.nl 3 points 1 year ago

They are there to remind you what trees grew up to before we started "managing" forests

[–] LunchEnjoyer@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Very interesting, thanks!

[–] cheery_coffee@lemmy.ca 77 points 1 year ago

Fairies, whatever you do be careful, the small folk can be tricky.

Science: the fungus starts in the middle and consumes resources moving outward until it gets enough resources that it can form mushrooms.

[–] Endorkend@kbin.social 30 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You should stand in the middle of it and see where it takes you.

But, they are Fariy Rings, so don't be surprised if wherever they take you gets you into some fucked up situations.

Them Fae folk like messing with humans, in some of the most gruesome ways.

[–] LunchEnjoyer@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Hahaha this made me laugh a lot 😊

[–] Perfide@reddthat.com 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As long as they don't have a Dramen or a Lunar staff equipped, it'll make them feel a bit funny for a second but it won't transport them anywhere.

[–] TheBeef@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

One letter off, and you're in the middle of nowhere.

[–] Xenokev@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

Mushroom funco grow in a circular pattern under the ground. The entire area inside the circle is the fungus. The fungus fruits at its edges.

[–] rothaine@lemm.ee 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious, and I wouldn't step into that circle.

[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] anonymoose@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)
[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 year ago

Mycostitious

[–] xX_fnord_Xx@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Semistitious?

[–] CADmonkey@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I do hope OP hasn't been taken by the fae.

[–] LunchEnjoyer@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] CADmonkey@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

Alive, yes... but...

[–] rah@feddit.uk 16 points 1 year ago
[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Fairy circles are common just due to how mushrooms reproduce through releasing spores.

[–] LunchEnjoyer@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

I feel like I see your name in so many communities I am in ahah πŸ˜…

[–] cestvrai@lemm.ee 10 points 1 year ago

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[–] Nounka@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

We call it a witch circle... legend has that when schrooms grow like that a witch danced that night at the center.

[–] TIEPilot@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Faeries wear boots and you gotta believe me!

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 year ago

It is clearly how you travel to the Faedoheim.

[–] Tylerdurdon@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

The spirit of that forest was killed there.