What species of fungus is that most commonly depicted in garden ornaments and fairy tales and why has it become the standard for this purpose?

lanfranco

The "Mariasmius oreades" is the best known "fairy-ring" mushroom. However, I'd say that the button mushroom, of which the delicious portobello is a strain, is the one depicted in garden ornaments and referred to in fairy tales. Why? Because it's not poisonous, it looks good, and it tastes delicious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_Ring Apr 20 06, 6:58 PM

lanfranco

And here's a site on the button mushroom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_mushroom Apr 20 06, 6:59 PM

gmackematix

Oh, I'd say there's one far more commonly depicted than that. Apr 20 06, 7:16 PM

lanfranco

Oh, all right. There is the "Amanita muscaria". Why this became so popular for gnome and fairy chairs is, as the site says, "a matter of speculation." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_muscaria Apr 20 06, 7:25 PM

gmackematix

I forgot to "yay" this one. I did indeed mean fly agaric, the usual mental image of a toadstool, whose top is red with white spots. I see there is a rather kooky theory relating reindeer, spaced out after eating these and the colours of Santa's suit. Apr 24 06, 6:49 PM