Fungi Friday at Heligan

What we see above ground is only part of the story. Each mushroom is the fruiting body of a vast underground network of mycelium. These threads recycle nutrients, break down fallen wood, and form essential partnerships with trees and plants.

Without fungi, Heligan’s woodlands and meadows would lack the natural processes that build healthy soil and support biodiversity.

Cooler, wetter days invite a fascinating range of fungi. Visitors might notice:

• Fly agaric with its classic red cap and white spots along shaded paths

• Amethyst deceiver shining violet among fallen leaves

• Puffballs that release clouds of spores when gently tapped

• Bracket fungi stacked like natural staircases on old tree stumps

Every visit reveals new shapes, colours, and patterns, reminding us that fungi are as diverse as any flowering plant.

Our gardeners and wildlife team are continually discovering and learning from the fungi at Heligan. We invite visitors to do the same. As part of Fungi Friday, we’ll share weekly highlights on social media and encourage you to post your own finds when you walk the gardens. Tag your photos and stories so that others can enjoy the seasonal discoveries. #fungifriday

Many of Heligan’s mushrooms are for admiration only. While some species have edible relatives, identifying fungi with complete certainty is complex and should be left to experts. Please enjoy their beauty in place and help protect these fragile organisms by leaving them undisturbed.

Mushrooms are more than autumn decoration. They are nature’s recyclers and soil builders, linking the visible and invisible life of the gardens. Visit Heligan this season to experience their quiet magic, and follow our Fungi Friday posts for new sightings and shared discoveries every week.