Drought conditions in South Australia’s limestone coast have slowed the growth of ghost mushrooms in the south-east, a species of glowing fungi known to draw crowds every year.
In 2017, ForestrySA set up the Ghost Mushroom Lane tourist attraction, an after-dark trail providing visitors with access to pine forests near Glencoe. Sadly, poor weather in 2023 forced the attraction to shut down. Now, the only way to visit these incredible fungi is on tour with Walk the Limestone Coast.
Ghost mushrooms often grow in a cup shape on pine stumps and the base of eucalypt trees, sometimes spreading as big as 20 centimetres in diameter. During the day, they appear in a creamy white colour. At night, they glow green thanks to bioluminescence caused by a chemical reaction.
Unfortunately, despite an abundance in previous years, the mushrooms are appearing less frequently due to dry conditions. Ghost fungi are sensitive to changes in the microclimate, often appearing more after wet weather.
Flinders University mycologist Michael Taylor said that a lack of moisture in the soil means the fungi have a harder time growing.
“A really good winter season is normally preceded by a good wet summer,” Dr Taylor said.
“So the longer it is dry for, the less likely it is that we’re going to see a whole lot of mushrooms pop out.”
Other indications of bad weather include a lack of glow in the mushrooms, suggesting the mushrooms are either underfed or stressed.
However, it is not all bad news. Recent rain and cooler temperatures have many hoping that the mushrooms will still appear, just with a shorter season.
The continued impacts of climate change will affect the distribution of mushroom species over the coming years, although it remains to be seen what this actually looks like.
To read about the culinary hotspots of the Limestone Coast, click here.
