fungi · GBIF taxon 2538075
Ghost Fungus
Omphalotus nidiformisAlso known as Ghost Mushroom
Ghost mushrooms illuminate the dark forest floor with an eerie, soft green glow emitted from their gills, a phenomenon known as bioluminescence. These impressive, fan-shaped fungi grow in overlapping shelves on decaying logs and living trees, acting as both decomposers and parasites. While beautiful to observe at night, they contain harmful toxins that cause severe gastrointestinal distress if consumed.
BioluminescentFungusNight-Glowing
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- diet
- Decaying wood (saprotrophic and parasitic)
- family
- Omphalotaceae
- threats
- Habitat clearing and removal of dead wood
- life Span
- Mycelium lives for decades; fruiting bodies last several weeks
NE
Highly toxic; many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes, so never eat wild fungi based on app identification.
- Night Viewing: Visit known locations on moonless nights and allow your eyes ten minutes to adjust to the dark.
- Photography: Use a tripod and a long exposure of thirty seconds or more to capture the green glow.
- Look-alike Caution: Distinguish this toxic species from edible oyster mushrooms by its bioluminescence and growth on native Australian trees.