Fungus · GBIF taxon 2536891
Honey Mushroom
Armillaria melleaAlso known as Honey Fungus, Ringed Honey Mushroom
Honey mushrooms burst from the bases of declining trees and decaying stumps in dense, golden clusters during late summer and autumn. Beneath the bark, thick black fungal strands called rhizomorphs spread through the soil to seek out new host roots. Their underground mycelial network can glow faintly in dark woods, producing a cold light known historically as foxfire.
FungusBioluminescentForest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree Roots
- Dead Wood
- Plant Tissues
Predators
- Fungus Gnats
- Slugs
- Beetles
ThreatsForest management and removal of host trees
HabitatsTemperate forests, woodlands, parks, and orchards
Life spanFruiting bodies last 1 to 2 weeks; underground networks endure for centuries
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhysalacriaceae
- SpeciesArmillaria mellea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look around the bases of stressed or dead hardwood trees in autumn.
- Night Viewing: Inspect freshly exposed wood or mycelium in darkness to see subtle bioluminescence.
- Tree Health: Check nearby trees for yellowing foliage, which signals underground root infection.
Toxic Look-alike (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · cc-by
Toxic Look-alike (c) Jason Hollinger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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