'Awesome' finds in Sydney backyards after autumn deluge
Unusual wet weather on the east coast of Australia has led to some surprising discoveries for residents with some reporting strange fungi in their backyards.
One man was in awe after he stumbled upon some bioluminescence mushrooms in the backyard of his Hornsby home in northern Sydney, posting a photo of it to Reddit where users marvelled over the "spooky" find.
However, it's the first of many glowing discoveries to be made, with experts saying there's plenty more to come.
"It's common for more mushrooms to come out in the autumn, and yes, the wet and warm weather of late is encouraging this," Dee Carter, a professor in Microbiology at the University of Sydney, explained.
Autumn is prime time for wild mushrooms
Chief Botanist at Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden Dr Brett Summerell said the cooler season provides the perfect conditions for mushrooms to grow; not too hot to dry out and die and not too cold.
He said the glowing ghost fungi mushroom – omphalatus nidiformis – is relatively common in east coast backyards.
"It does glow at night and if you take a long exposure photo can come out bright green," he told Yahoo News Australia.
"By day it looks like Oyster mushroom – except for a brown and grey centre shading."
Dr Summerell said people sometimes confuse the ghost fungi mushroom for oyster mushrooms and eat them, which can cause health problems.
"[Eating them] is a big mistake as they are toxic, and will cause pretty nasty gastro symptoms," he said. "It is a common one for poisoning IDs".
A Berowra resident also found an unusual looking fungi, known as a Aseroe rubra – or stinkhorn, starfish stinkhorn, or Anemone fungus.
The strange looking mushroom is often found on woody mulch and smells of rotten meat, attracting flies to spread the spores found in the slimy dark matter.
Ms Carter reminded people — or pets — to not eat wild mushrooms unless they are in the company of a known expert.
"Small amounts can be deadly," she said.
The Poisons Information Centre says to call them immediately if you or someone has been exposed to wild mushrooms, saying symptoms can be delayed but early treatment is vital.
In an emergency, call triple-000 for an ambulance, or seek medical treatment through your doctor or local emergency department.
Anyone who is exposed to wild mushrooms should call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26.
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