Freethought & Rationalism Archive

crazyfingers · 10-20-2002, 03:51 PM

This is strange. In my back yard in the woods there is a ring of mushrooms.

The mushrooms are white and from 2' to 6' diameter. There are about 50 of these mushrooms and they are arranged in a nearly perfect circle of about 12 feet in diameter. None of the mushrooms are inside the circle or outside of the circle. All are part of the ring forming this nearly perfect circle.

Does anyone have any idea how this might have happened?

Mageth · 10-20-2002, 04:05 PM

That's sometimes referred to as a "fairy ring".

Fairy ring mushrooms (Marasmius oreades)are a fungus that grows outward (underground) from a central starting point. The fungus consumes nutrients in its path as it grows. Underground the fungus appears to be a circular ring of stringy material (the mycelium). The mushrooms are the reproductive "organs" of the fungus.

Some think that some fairy rings may live for centuries and grow to be hundreds of feet across.

crazyfingers · 10-20-2002, 04:16 PM

Hey cool. Thanks. I wonder if they are edible...

I'm not going to try.

Blinn · 10-20-2002, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crazyfingers:
Hey cool. Thanks. I wonder if they are edible...

I'm not going to try.

Definitely don't, because fairy rings aren't unique to the species Mageth mentioned (although that species appears to be edible from what I just looked up). I've done some mushroom culturing on occasion - pretty fun stuff - Check out <a href="http://www.fungi.com" target="_blank">www.fungi.com</a> if you're interested.

crazyfingers · 10-20-2002, 06:55 PM

Hey Zetek

Don't worry. I wasn't planning to.

The thought only came to mind because yesterday I was talking to a guy up by my mailbox. An elderly Russian imigrant. He had a bag full of mushrooms he had picked in the woods in back.

I have no intention of eating any wild mushrooms until talking to someone who knows.

If I see him again soon I might ask him.

echidna · 10-20-2002, 07:46 PM

If You See A Fairy Ring
(Author Unknown)

If you see a fairy ring
In a field of grass,
Very lightly step around,
Tip-Toe as you pass,
Last night Fairies frolicked there
And they're sleeping somewhere near.
If you see a tiny fairy
Lying fast asleep
Shut your eyes
And run away,
Do not stay to peek!
Do not tell
Or you'll break a fairy spell.

Crazyfingers, I think this offers better advice. Don't worry, we won't tell.

Sheep in the big city · 10-20-2002, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zetek:


Definitely don't, because fairy rings aren't unique to the species Mageth mentioned (although that species appears to be edible from what I just looked up). I've done some mushroom culturing on occasion - pretty fun stuff - Check out <a href="http://www.fungi.com" target="_blank">www.fungi.com</a> if you're interested.

Mushroom culturing ey? Pretty fun stuff?
Let's hope the authorities aren't monitoring this thread

Boro Nut · 10-21-2002, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sheep in the big city:
Mushroom culturing ey? Pretty fun stuff?

Yeah. He sounds like a real fungi to be with.

Getting back to the subject, it is common knowledge in the UK that you must never enter fairy rings. The fairies are very sensitive, and will split if you enter their rings.
I assume "Don't fuck with the fairies" is another version of this advice. Best just masturbate in the bushes.

Boro Nut

Wyz_sub10 · 10-21-2002, 07:15 AM

Maybe there are tiny druids living under your woodshed. (Shroomhendge?)

atrahasis · 10-22-2002, 05:59 AM

i have an idea, try locating Vanderzyden, tell him to pray to his God then give him those mushrooms to try them for you.......

10-20-2002, 03:51 PM	#1
crazyfingers Contributor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 13,699	Strange mushroom ring This is strange. In my back yard in the woods there is a ring of mushrooms. The mushrooms are white and from 2' to 6' diameter. There are about 50 of these mushrooms and they are arranged in a nearly perfect circle of about 12 feet in diameter. None of the mushrooms are inside the circle or outside of the circle. All are part of the ring forming this nearly perfect circle. Does anyone have any idea how this might have happened?

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10-20-2002, 04:05 PM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	That's sometimes referred to as a "fairy ring". Fairy ring mushrooms (Marasmius oreades)are a fungus that grows outward (underground) from a central starting point. The fungus consumes nutrients in its path as it grows. Underground the fungus appears to be a circular ring of stringy material (the mycelium). The mushrooms are the reproductive "organs" of the fungus. Some think that some fairy rings may live for centuries and grow to be hundreds of feet across.

10-20-2002, 04:16 PM	#3
crazyfingers Contributor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 13,699	Hey cool. Thanks. I wonder if they are edible... I'm not going to try.

10-20-2002, 06:55 PM	#5
crazyfingers Contributor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 13,699	Hey Zetek Don't worry. I wasn't planning to. The thought only came to mind because yesterday I was talking to a guy up by my mailbox. An elderly Russian imigrant. He had a bag full of mushrooms he had picked in the woods in back. I have no intention of eating any wild mushrooms until talking to someone who knows. If I see him again soon I might ask him.

10-20-2002, 07:46 PM	#6
echidna Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,832	If You See A Fairy Ring (Author Unknown) If you see a fairy ring In a field of grass, Very lightly step around, Tip-Toe as you pass, Last night Fairies frolicked there And they're sleeping somewhere near. If you see a tiny fairy Lying fast asleep Shut your eyes And run away, Do not stay to peek! Do not tell Or you'll break a fairy spell. Crazyfingers, I think this offers better advice. Don't worry, we won't tell.

10-21-2002, 07:15 AM	#9
Wyz_sub10 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the land of two boys and no sleep. Posts: 9,890	Maybe there are tiny druids living under your woodshed. (Shroomhendge?)

10-22-2002, 05:59 AM	#10
atrahasis Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South of Sahara Posts: 216	i have an idea, try locating Vanderzyden, tell him to pray to his God then give him those mushrooms to try them for you.......

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