Amanita Muscaria The Red and White Mushroom

Our lush coastal rain forests are prime growing grounds for fungi of all kinds, including the bright red and white mushrooms — Amanita Muscaria — that pop up around this time of year at the base of trees. These highly toxic toadstools, also known as fly agaric, become prime objects of photographers looking to capture all the colours of autumn in the greater Vancouver area.

This fairy tale mushroom should not be consumed, but it can be photographed as these local shutterbugs have done:

Photo credit: Michael Schmidt & TOTORORO.RORO on Flickr

Photo credit: Kevin Krebs on Flickr

Photo credit: Ann Hung & Ruth Hartnup & Ruth Hartnup on Flickr

Photo credit: Michael Schmidt & Miss604 on Flickr

Photo credit: TOTORORO.RORO on Flickr

Photo credit: Avi Dolgin & Avi Dolgin on Flickr

The Thunderbird recently wrote about Amanita Muscaria and featured the Vancouver Mycological Society. This organization educates the public about the importance of mushrooms to ecology, the forests, and the economy. They also there to help people make sure they pick mushrooms that are safe to eat.

Photo credit: Clayton Perry on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth Hartnup & Ruth Hartnup on Flickr

Photo credit: Eric Flexyourhead on Flickr

Photo credit: Clayton Perry on Flickr

Should you wish to learn more, the Vancouver Mycological Society meets once a month at VanDusen Botanical Gardens and hosts various other events throughout the year.