Why do mushrooms grow in circles?

Answer 1

Some fungi do indeed grow in rings, but perfect may not be quite accurate!

Two species known for producing rings are Tricholoma Gambosum

(St. Georges Mushroom - also known as Calocybe Gambosum or Lyophyllum georgii)

and Marasmius Oreades (Fairy Ring Champignon).

Myths ascribe the rings to fairies, witches, the devil dragons etc. but:

"Fairy rings" (typically in three concentric rings) are caused by mycelium

of fungi growing from a central starting point. As the mycelium grows,

it produces changes in the organic matter of the soil. Ammonia is

liberated and produces nitrates or ammoniacal salts, manuring

the vegetation, & stimulating its growth.

As the mycelium increases, it fills the air spaces in the soil so that rain-

water has difficulty in percolating, at a time when the increased vegetation

is making greater demands on the available water. This causes localised

drought and the plants die, leaving a bare circle. The part behind dies

off and water can now panetrate the soil and the dead fungus becomes food

for the plants which invade the bare area and so on. Obviously the ring

widens year on year.

--

Jeremy Browne, Hampshire, UK

Shaking Hands BBS, Fidonet 2:252/160

yall r stupid

Answer 2

Mushrooms that grow in a circle are known as a fairy ring. They are also called fairy circles, pixie rings, elf rings, and elf circles. This formation is a natural occurrence and can get as big as 33 feet in diameter.

Answer 3

Fairy ring It is caused by a fungus that started in the middle and is working its way out, the mushrooms are the outer indication of the fungus. You will also notice that the grass closest to the ring is greener than everywhere else, this is due to the release of nitrogen by the fungus which eventually results in its demise. Fairy ring is short lived and relatively harmless, but unsightly. A single application of fungicide will stop it in its tracks and the area will heal shortly.

Answer 4

That is what is called a Fairy Ring. It's just the way certain toadstools grow. If you let them go, their parts in the soil can go as deep as 5 or 6 feet.

The cure, if there is one, is to water the ring often enough that the soil remains soggy all the time. for several weeks. This will drown the toadstools out, but if you quit watering or forget for awhile, then the funguses will get healthy, again.