Ghost mushroom season: how to see nature's most unusual light show

Australian Community Media

Bioluminescent mushrooms are glowing in forests across the Illawarra and NSW south coast, with autumn bringing peak conditions for the eerie display. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.

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00:00Ghost mushroom season has arrived, casting an eerie green glow across forests along the New

00:07South Wales South Coast. These luminous fungi, known scientifically as Ompholotus

00:13nitiformis, thrive in autumn's cool nights and moist conditions,

00:17typically growing on rotting wood in dark sheltered environments.

00:22First we need to find them during the day because they are not that easy to find at night.

00:32The Illawarra region has become a popular destination for glow chasers with its low

00:37light pollution and rich rainforest habitat offering ideal conditions. Other known hot

00:43spots include the Blue Mountains, Belanglo State Forest and parts of the Sapphire Coast. Peak

00:49viewing tends to occur in April and May and while mushrooms should be a treat to see,

00:55they are toxic and should never be touched or consumed.

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