Fears invasive species is spreading as Aussie mates stumble upon 'fairytale' scene
Sean Blocksidge and his friends couldn't believe their eyes when they spotted the cluster of three bright red and white mushrooms sprouting from the ground near Margaret River, south of Perth.
'We were all amazed at the size of them. Almost double the size we've seen in the past,' Sean, who snapped photos of his size 14 foot next to the fungi to highlight their size, told Yahoo News. However, a grim truth lurks behind the mushrooms' alluring appearance.
'Despite their fairytale looks, they're a toxic, invasive species,' Sean, the owner and operator of the Margaret River Discovery Company, revealed.
Amanita muscaria — better known as the fly agaric — is an introduced fungus that is believed to have come into Australia on the roots of pine plants. The species, which is toxic to people and pets, is commonly found along the country's east coast, Tasmania and in parts of South Australia and southwest Western Australia.
While it's made its presence known since arriving in the early 20th century, Dr Carol Booth, policy director for the Invasive Species Council (ISC), told Yahoo amanita muscaria 'has only recently been discovered in WA'.
An article published by the state's Department of Environment and Conservation notes an increase in reports of the fly agaric popping up in pine plantations, gardens and parks in 2012.
Toxic mushroom species 'more noticeable in recent years'
Sean told Yahoo that although the 'invasive mushroom has been around for a while', it 'seems to be more noticeable in recent years'. Amanitas have been sprouting throughout the pine forests around Margaret River, Busselton, Pemberton and Nannup region over the past few weeks, he explained.
'This year is the most prolific and biggest size I've ever seen them,' he said. 'Almost double the size of previous years and most likely a result of some solid winter rain events.'
While they are 'beautiful', Sean noted they're not great for native ecosystems — a sentiment shared by Dr Booth.
'That said, they've certainly made themselves at home in WA's introduced pine forests and look quite magical when you do spot them!' However, they are best admired from a 'safe, non-eating distance'.
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Invasive mushroom can displace native fungi species, experts say
Professor Brett Summerell, chief scientist at Botanic Gardens of Sydney, told Yahoo amanita muscaria is considered to be a 'weed mushroom' given it can displace native species of fungi, similar to invasive plants.
Booth said the species 'forms mutually beneficial relationships with several exotic tree species', providing them with water and nutrients in exchange for carbohydrates.
'In Australia it has spread into native forests by jumping from exotic hosts to a native tree — the southern beech — and it may also jump to eucalypts, as it has overseas,' she said. 'This raises concerns that it could displace native fungi and alter the availability of nutrients for the trees it colonises.'
Summerell said the mushrooms often appear from April through to July and can vary in size. 'I have seen them up to 30cm in diameter. They generally are larger in wetter years,' he explained.
Their common name — the fly agaric — arises from the practice of placing the mushrooms, or powdered forms of the mushroom, in milk to attract and kill flies and other insects.
'The mushrooms can be toxic, although there are some who consume them for psychoactive properties, but it can be quite risky. Generally, they are not considered deadly,' Summerell said, adding the species has been 'been used in art and literature from the Renaissance', and is one of the mushroom emojis on your phone.
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