Bulbous Honey Fungus
Armillaria gallica
The mycelium of this species can exhibit bioluminescence, creating a faint green glow in rotting wood known as 'foxfire.'
- Scientific name
- Armillaria gallica
- Taxonomy
- Fungi › Basidiomycota › Agaricomycetes › Agaricales › Physalacriaceae › Armillaria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Temperate deciduous and coniferous woodlands, typically found at the base of trees, on stumps, or growing from buried wood.
- Diet
- Saprobic on decaying organic matter and parasitic on the root systems of weakened trees.
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia
- Size
- Caps 3-10 cm in diameter; underground networks can cover several hectares.
- Lifespan
- Individual mushrooms last 1-2 weeks; the underground mycelial network can live for over 2,500 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Deforestation and soil compaction, though the species is highly resilient and widespread.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch. While often considered edible when thoroughly cooked, it can cause severe gastrointestinal distress in some individuals and has toxic look-alikes. Do not consume unless identified by an expert mycologist. If ingested and feeling ill, seek medical attention.
Armillaria gallica (synonymous with A. bulbosa and A. lutea ) is a species of honey mushroom in the Physalacriaceae family of the Agaricales order. The species is a common and ecologically important wood-decay fungus that can live as a saprobe, or as an opportunistic parasite in weakened tree hosts to cause root or butt rot. It is found in temperate regions of Asia, North America, and Europe. The species forms fruit bodies singly or in groups in soil or...
Photo: Rocky Houghtby, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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