Aussie shocked by mysterious 'bleeding' object
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Imagine stepping into your backyard to find something that looks straight out of a fantasy novel, complete with 'blood' droplets. This was the reality for a New South Wales woman named Brittany, who stumbled upon a bizarre and perplexing sight in her own garden.
The strange object, which she likened to 'a piece of nougat with candied fruit,' turned out to be a type of fungus, leaving her and her online followers in a state of wonder and confusion.
Brittany Brittany's initial encounter with the odd growth was enough to pique her curiosity and concern, especially considering the safety of her pet. 'Very bizarre to find suddenly growing in the backyard!' she exclaimed to Yahoo News Australia. 'I was hoping my dog wouldn’t show any interest.' The discovery prompted her to share an image on social media, sparking a debate among viewers. Some thought it resembled ice cream, while others compared it to bread.
Upon further investigation, Brittany noticed more of these growths dotting her lawn. 'We noticed all these little baby ones,' she said. 'I guess the red blood bits will erupt out of them later.' This phenomenon, as it turns out, is not as sinister as it appears. Tom May, Principal Mycologist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, identified the fungus as 'most likely a kind of polypore,' a bracket fungus known for producing colored droplets, a process known as guttation.
These fungi, including mushrooms, coral fungi, stinkhorns, and bracket fungi, typically sprout their sporing bodies after rainfall. The recent wet conditions across much of eastern Australia have created the perfect environment for these fungi to emerge. 'There is usually a mushroom season,' May explained, 'but it varies a lot from one year to the next as to how prolific fungi are. In southern Australia, mushrooms appear from autumn to winter, while in northern Australia, the peak time is late summer.’
Beware what lurks in your backyard
The intrigue of Brittany's backyard find comes with a cautionary tale. The Food Safety Information Council has issued a warning to Australians who may be inspired by social media influencers to forage for wild mushrooms. The council's chair, Cathy Moir, stressed the 'life-threatening' risks associated with mushroom foraging, especially given the difficulty in distinguishing between edible and poisonous varieties. With some wild mushroom social media groups boasting over 40,000 members, the potential for misinformation and dangerous practices is high.
For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, this story serves as a reminder of the wonders and potential hazards that can be found in our own backyards. While the natural world can provide us with beauty and intrigue, it's essential to approach it with respect and caution. If you're considering foraging for wild mushrooms or any other natural foods, it's crucial to educate yourself thoroughly and seek guidance from experts.
Have you ever encountered a mysterious growth in your garden or during your walks in nature? How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's discuss the fascinating, sometimes eerie world of fungi and the importance of staying safe while exploring the great outdoors.
The strange object, which she likened to 'a piece of nougat with candied fruit,' turned out to be a type of fungus, leaving her and her online followers in a state of wonder and confusion.
Brittany described the object as looking like it contained ‘candied fruit’. Source: Yahoo!News
Brittany Brittany's initial encounter with the odd growth was enough to pique her curiosity and concern, especially considering the safety of her pet. 'Very bizarre to find suddenly growing in the backyard!' she exclaimed to Yahoo News Australia. 'I was hoping my dog wouldn’t show any interest.' The discovery prompted her to share an image on social media, sparking a debate among viewers. Some thought it resembled ice cream, while others compared it to bread.
Upon further investigation, Brittany noticed more of these growths dotting her lawn. 'We noticed all these little baby ones,' she said. 'I guess the red blood bits will erupt out of them later.' This phenomenon, as it turns out, is not as sinister as it appears. Tom May, Principal Mycologist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, identified the fungus as 'most likely a kind of polypore,' a bracket fungus known for producing colored droplets, a process known as guttation.
Brittany noticed more of the mysterious growth around her lawn. Source: Yahoo!News
These fungi, including mushrooms, coral fungi, stinkhorns, and bracket fungi, typically sprout their sporing bodies after rainfall. The recent wet conditions across much of eastern Australia have created the perfect environment for these fungi to emerge. 'There is usually a mushroom season,' May explained, 'but it varies a lot from one year to the next as to how prolific fungi are. In southern Australia, mushrooms appear from autumn to winter, while in northern Australia, the peak time is late summer.’
Beware what lurks in your backyard
The intrigue of Brittany's backyard find comes with a cautionary tale. The Food Safety Information Council has issued a warning to Australians who may be inspired by social media influencers to forage for wild mushrooms. The council's chair, Cathy Moir, stressed the 'life-threatening' risks associated with mushroom foraging, especially given the difficulty in distinguishing between edible and poisonous varieties. With some wild mushroom social media groups boasting over 40,000 members, the potential for misinformation and dangerous practices is high.
For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, this story serves as a reminder of the wonders and potential hazards that can be found in our own backyards. While the natural world can provide us with beauty and intrigue, it's essential to approach it with respect and caution. If you're considering foraging for wild mushrooms or any other natural foods, it's crucial to educate yourself thoroughly and seek guidance from experts.
Have you ever encountered a mysterious growth in your garden or during your walks in nature? How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's discuss the fascinating, sometimes eerie world of fungi and the importance of staying safe while exploring the great outdoors.
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