The Fascinating World of Mushrooms

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

Mushrooms are the recyclers of the forests. You may not know this, but mushrooms are so diverse that the number of different species rivals the number of species in the entire animal kingdom. They've also been found to be a closer relative to humans than other plants. Photographer Steve Axford is passionate about the color and beauty of mushrooms and the world of fungi in general, and loves to share his visual curiosity and discoveries with the world. Living in Australia, Steve travels around the world, capturing photos of rare animals, plants and the diverse people he meets. But his greatest love of photography is saved for the fungi, which, I think, have never been captured as beautifully as this.

Marasmius haematocephalus

Campanella sp.

Panus fasciatus

Schizophyllum commune

Leratiomyces sp. / Found in Booyong Reserve, Booyong, NSW

Mycena chlorophos

Campanella sp.

Cyptotrama aspratum or Gold Tuft

Marasmius sp.

Mycena austrororida

Cyathus novaezelandiae or Birds Nest Fungi, Tara Ridge

Mycna chlorophos

Tremella fimbriata

Hairy mycena

Campanella sp.

Leratiomyces ceres (Redlead Roundhead)

White mycena

Marasmius haematocephalus

Mycena interrupta

Luminous fungi (Mycena chlorophos)

Hygrocybe anomala

Red Cap Fungi 

Hairy mycena