Fairy Rings: The Enchanting World of Mushrooms Unveiled

The Mystery of Fairy Rings

Fairy rings, also known as mushroom circles, are a natural phenomenon that have fascinated people for centuries. The name originates from an old folk tale, in which people believed that the mushrooms growing in a circle were the result of fairies dancing in a ring. Folklore has linked fairy rings with witches or the devil, and they were often considered as hazardous or dangerous places. However, in some cultures, they were also associated with good fortune.

The circular formation of fairy rings is caused by the mycelium of the fungus, which lives underground and grows outward in search of more nutrients. The mycelium sends out a subterranean network of fine, tubular threads called hyphae, which grow out from the spore evenly in all directions, forming a circular mat of underground hyphal threads. In the spring, mushroom fruitbodies pop up from the edge of the mycelium and form a ring above ground.

Fairy rings are easy to identify as they are detectable by large, irregular circles in your lawn or grassy areas. They can be dark green from the fungi's release of nitrogen or tan, with green grass within. However, not all fairy ring mushrooms are edible, and some can be deadly poison to humans and pets.

Many cultures have associated fairy rings with danger and superstition. English and Celtic tales warn that any human who enters a fairy ring will be forced to dance with the creatures, unable to stop until they go mad or perish of exhaustion. Similarly, Dutch and Austrian legends claim that fairy rings were created by the devil or dragons, and any livestock that entered the circle would suffer the souring of their milk or burn to death.

Overall, fairy rings are an intriguing and mysterious natural phenomenon that has fascinated people for centuries. They are a reminder of the beauty and power of nature, and the enduring human fascination with the unknown.

Removing Fairy Rings from Lawns

If you want to get rid of fairy ring mushrooms in your lawn, you can excavate at least 30 cm (1ft) depth of the active "front" of the colony (i.e. the ring) and replace it with fresh soil. This can help remove the ring and prevent it from growing back. Remember to keep your lawns well-watered to prevent the growth of new fairy rings.

Fairy Ring Mushroom Look-Alikes

There are about 60 mushroom species that can grow in the fairy ring pattern. The best known is the edible Marasmius oreades.

List of species:

• Agaricus arvensis

• Agaricus campestris

• Agaricus praerimosus

• Agrocybe praecox

• Amanita muscaria

• Amanita phalloides

• Amanita rubescens

• Bovista dermoxantha

• Calocybe gambosa

• Calvatia cyathiformis

• Calvatia gigantea

• Cantharellus cibarius

• Clitocybe dealbata

• Clitocybe nebularis

• Clitocybe nuda

• Clitocybe rivulosa

• Chlorophyllum molybdites

• Chlorophyllum rhacodes

• Cortinarius bellus

• Cortinarius glaucopus

• Cortinarius violaceus

• Cyathus stercoreus

• Disciseda subterranea

• Entoloma sinuatum

• Gomphus clavatus

• Hygrophorus agathosmus

• Hygrophorus pudorinus

• Hygrophorus russula

• Infundibulicybe geotropa

• Lepista sordida

• Leucopaxillus giganteus

• Lycoperdon curtisii

• Lycoperdon perlatum

• Macrolepiota procera

• Marasmius oreades

• Paralepista flaccida

• Sarcodon imbricatus

• Suillus luteus

• Tricholoma album

• Tricholoma orirubens

• Tricholoma pardinum

• Tricholoma matsutake

• Tricholoma terreum

• Tuber melanosporum

Cooking Fairy Ring Mushrooms

A basic way to cook the fairy ring mushroom is to sauté them in butter for about 5 minutes, add a generous squeeze of lemon juice and simmer for another 10 minutes. The tough stipes of Marasmius oreades are not good eating.

Fairy ring mushroom recipes:

1. Macaroons Recipe

2. Fairy Ring Mushroom Soup Recipe

3. Rice Pilaf with Fairy Ring Mushroom Recipe

4. Fairy Ring Cookies Recipe

5. Fairy Ring Mushroom Pasta Sauce Recipe

6. Fairy Ring Mushroom Risotto Recipe