10 Most Bizarre Mushrooms

The Brain mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta)
Gyromitra esculenta, one of several species of fungi known as false morels, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally sprouts in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The fruiting body, or mushroom, is an irregular brain-shaped cap dark brown in colour which can reach 10 cm high and 15 cm wide, perched on a stout white stipe up to 6 cm (2.4 in) high. Although potentially fatal if eaten raw,Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America . Although popular in some districts of the eastern Pyrenees, it is prohibited from sale to the public in Spain. It may be sold fresh in Finland, but it must be accompanied by warnings and instructions on correct preparation. It is eaten in omelettes, soups, or sautéed in Finnish cuisine. Although it is still commonly parboiled before preparation, recent evidence suggests that even this procedure may not make the fungus entirely safe, thus raising concerns of risk even when prepared properly. (Link)


The Bleeding Tooth fungus (Hydnellum pecki)
Allow me to introduce to you one of the more unusual members of Kingdom Fungi, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, or Hydnellum peckii which goes by various names often referring to juice or blood. This fungus can be found inNorth America where it is more common in the Pacific Northwest and resides mostly in coniferous forests. The Bleeding Tooth also makes appearances in Europe and has recently been discovered in both Iran and Korea. Upon a first glimpse of the bleeding tooth fungus, one may dismiss the ruby-red liquid as the blood of some poor forest creature splattered across the white mushroom cap. When inspected more closely, it becomes obvious that the fungus is oozing liquid through its own small pores. (Link)


The Giant puffball (Calvatia Gigantea)
The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, is easily recognized by its size and shape. Typical specimens are about the size of a soccer ball, and more or less round. However, it can be much larger (a 5-foot, 50-pound specimen is on record!), and its shape can be more "blob-ish" than round, especially when it attains enormous sizes. But it is never shaped like an inverted pear, since it lacks the sterile base portion common to many other puffballs. (Link)


The Devil's Cigar (Chorioactis) – world's rarest fungi
A star-shaped mushroom, called the Devil's Cigar (Chorioactis geaster) is one of the world's rarest fungi. It's also known as the Texas star. These fungi had been detected only in central Texas, two remote locations in Japan, and most recently in the mountains of Nara. The Devil's Cigar is a dark brown cigar-shaped capsule that transforms into a tan-coloured star when it splits open to release its spores. It is also one of only a few known fungi that produce a distinct whistle sound when releasing its spores.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Trametes versicolor, often called the "turkey tail," has the dubious distinction of being the only member of the forest fungal fowl community not named for the full bird, but a feathery fraction. However, the chicken of the woods and the hen of the woods look nothing at all like chickens or hens, while theturkey tail does look (vaguely) like a turkey's tail. Who started this clucking menagerie of mushroom monikers, anyway? (Link | Photo)


Sky Blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri)
Entoloma hochstetteri is a species of mushroom found in New Zealand and India. The small mushroom is a distinctive all-blue colour, while the gills have a slight reddish tint from the spores. The blue colouring of the fruit body is due to three azulene pigments. Entoloma hochstetteri is not edible, but whether or not it is poisonous is unknown. This species was one of six native fungi featured in a set of fungal stamps issued inNew Zealand in 2002. It is also seen on the reverse side of the $50 bank note, issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in 1990. (Link | Photo)


Bearded Tooth mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
This mushroom that looks like noodles or pom-pom are known to a variety of name like Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bearded Tooth Mushroom, Hedgehog Mushroom, Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom, or Bearded Tooth Fungus. It is an edible mushroom in the tooth fungus group. In the wild, these mushrooms are common during late summer and fall on dead hardwoods, particularly American Beech. (Link)


Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus)
Mutinus caninus, commonly known as the Dog Stinkhorn, is a small thin, phallus-shaped woodland fungus, with a dark tip. It is often found growing in small groups on wood debris, or in leaf litter, during summer and autumn in Europe and easternNorth America. It is not generally considered edible, although there are reports of the immature 'eggs' being consumed. (Link)


Bioluminescent fungi (Mycena chlorophos)
No, you're not hallucinating; you really are seeing bright green mushrooms, but if you are partial to the odd magic mushie, these images won't faze you in the slightest. These neon green mushrooms, or Mycena chlorophos, to use the technical term, emerge during the rainy season in Japanese and Brazilian forests, scattering the floor with glowing spores. The bases of tree trunks, fallen branches, leaf litter and moist soil provide perfect breeding grounds for the mushrooms. Found mostly on Mesameyama island in Ugui, Japan and Ribeira Valley Tourist State Park, Brazil, the appearance of these garish looking fungi is due to bioluminescence, one of the weird but wonderful reactions that happen naturally in many plants and animals. (Link)


Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria) – world's most famous mushroom

Also known as the fly Agaric or the fly Amanita, the Amanita muscaria is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungi, which is one of many in the genus Amanita. There are several subspecies, and each of them has a different cap color. These include the yellow-range flavivolata guessowii, formosa, the pink persicina, and the brown regalis (although it is now considered a separate species).

Fly Agaric's are one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. They have been featured in children's books, films, garden ornaments, greeting cards, and computer games. This toadstool is associated with the famous book turned movie, Alice in Wonderland; the mushroom in Super Mario Bros., and more. It is also known as the mushroom of flies from due to Albertus Magnus' work in De vegetabilibus where he stated, “It is called the mushroom of flies, because crushed in milk it kills flies”.

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5 Awesome Yet Deadly Animals

Striking combinations of red, yellow, green and black are all too often seen wrapped around the bodies of very deadly, poisonous species. Flaunting these glaring colours is not about beauty, but actually about warning – advertising to passing predators that they either hold poison, a sting or a foul taste as a clever tactic of self protection. So let’s take a look at ten of the most vibrantly coloured and deadly species out there!

1. Deadly Glamour – the Sea Slug


Like most of its soft bodied relatives the sea slug is lacking in shell, however, its main protection against lurking predators is its exotic plumage. Composed of a diverse colouration, the warning colours display to predators the slug's remarkable capability of secreting strong acids and poisons, stored in the glands just below the skin on its back. This glamorous marine slug can be found in the sea off Japan.

2. Deadly Colours That Flip – Oriental Fire Bellied Toads


When gazing down at the fire bellied toad their colours appear more modest and calm – in fact the colours provide an example of camouflage, making the toad almost impossible to see on the rainforest floor. When this is not enough to avoid the predator's gaze, and they become threatened, the fire bellied toad flings its body into the air, flipping belly side up, throwing the gleaming red and black underside into the predators face. This is an instant warning of its poisonous glands that settle under its skin.

3. Brightly Ringed Warnings of Deadly Neurotoxins – Blue Ringed Octopus


The bright blue rings on this small octopus are a vital warning of is deadly nature. When agitated or threatened, these markings, just like a disco light, pulse a vivid and iridescent blue allowing others to see that they are ready to strike. This often puts predators and passers-by off the blue ringed octopus – escaping its deadly venomous saliva. If not clever enough to leave, this deadly saliva is capable of subduing or killing predators. This species is not alone and shares very similar characteristics with five other venomous blue ringed octopuses.

4. Toxic Skin – Poison Dart Frogs

The family of poison dart frogs are extremely popular for their vivid, bold colours that paint their slippery skin to advertise their extreme toxicity and unpleasant taste. These bright colours, and the corresponding toxicity, have developed through an evolutionary adaptation to the many predators in the rainforests of America. The reason behind this is that a lot of snakes and spiders have become resistant to the many mild toxins that thrive within the environment. Evolution has forced these poisonous dart frogs to develop stronger toxins that alternate across each species.


The most toxic species of frogs have become very confident and hunt for insects out in daylight, knowing that their extreme colourations will soon scare off predators with their toxins. These toxins have been used by the Amerindians to poison the tips of blowpipe darts. The poison of harlequin frogs inside contains a painkiller more powerful than morphine and stronger than antibiotics which protects the frogs from the disease-carrying bacteria that plague most rainforest amphibians.

5. Yellow and Blacked Striped Venomous Injection – European Hornet

One of the most famous scourges of them all is the European Hornet that so easily sends people off their backsides and feet when approached by the yellow and black stripes of the insect. Like all wasps, the hornet is protected by a powerful sting and one big enough to deter predatory birds and lizards. The bright yellow stripes are key indications of their painful sting and the capability of releasing alarm pheromones! When close to their nests these summon other hornets, resulting in predators and even humans suffering from multiple stings

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Strange Big Bambu Artistic Installation Made by Beacon Duo

Two brothers from New York, Mike and Doug Starn are performing pretty unusual kind of art. They are artist duo known by the Beacon name and they perform some rooftop art. This year they performed in Metropolitan Museum where they made amazing artistic installation of bamboo trees called Big Bambu. The whole construction is made of bamboo poles connected by the ropes. The construction has a shape of huge bridge. They used about 3200 bamboo poles. The most unusual thing was they allowed visitors to climb on their artistic installation. If you missed this event and would like to climb or see their construction live, you could do it at the South Ferry subway station where they set up permanent public installation for visitors.
Big Bambu at the Metropolitan Museum

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Wonderful Black-and-white Portraits of the People at the Margins

The excellent black-and-white photos made by Dr. Vaggelis Fragiadakis, amateur photographer and professional mathematician. He was born in Greece, on the island of Crete, where he lived in the Mediterranean environment, but very poor. After completing his University of Athens, he decided to leave Greece and go into the unknown. After much difficulty he found himself in the U.S., where he lives and works today. From his native Greece he took a Mediterranean spirit and understanding for the poor and older people. His love for art and the world that surrounds him, he tried to focus on the photography, for which definitely has talent. He is fascinated by the portraits of old wrinkled people, anguished by hard work and life. Traveling around the world, Fragiadakis photograph these people on the streets in various situations, primarily, immerse oneself in their character, supporting each person’s individuality and placing human dignity above everything. For him they are not statistics, but someone who has his soul and his character, and who wears his life on his face. He likes people who everyone else avoided, and with black-and-white photo he succeed to highlight what is important for him: the shadows, brightness, contrast, wrinkles, texture of clothing… It is currently actively involved in helping the homeless, as well as education of youth. And his life motto reads: You work hard, and if you can, give your contribution to the world! It’s wonderful, is not it?

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Cool and Awesome gargoyle face Art peering out from four-inch toilet roll tubes

Coming face to face with one of these creations in the bathroom might be a shocking experience.

But these gargoyle-esque faces are no bog-standard art project, but a painstaking process involving the intricate moulding of single four-inch toilet roll tubes to create a modern sculpture.

French artist Junior Fritz Jacquet, 30, who describes himself as a 'creator and sculptor in paper', then mounts his creation on steel stands and sets them loose on the art-buying world.
The Parisian artist said his passion for paper started with school origami classes and he now takes inspiration from the unique characteristics of card.

He said: 'I first concentrate on the construction of the eyes, then the nose, then the mouth and then the entire expression.

'I am trying to create funny and jovial expressions and will keep working on my technique because there is no limit to experimentation.'

He said: 'I started to get interested in origami techniques when I was 14. At school the teacher gave us origami models to build ourselves.

'My connection with origami was immediate and I quickly understood that you could take it a long way from a single sheet of paper.

'I have perfected my technique since then. I work with every sort of paper and believe every type has its own personality.

'In the end, every mask is unique.'
Monsieur Jacquet cites his artistic influences as the bronze figures of Swiss surrealist sculptor Giacometti and Senegalese artist Ousmane Sow's majestic, powerful figures in clay.

As well as his 40 unique toilet roll masks, the artist creates playful folded card figurines and illuminated paper sculptures.

He added: 'Paper is surprising in its fragility but also complex in its texture, elasticity, capacity to absorb light and its memory of being folded or crumpled.

'It is also an immediate material. That's to say, unlike earth or metal or wood it does not need treating or time to dry.

'I treat paper like a living material. It has a memory in that it holds or forgets folds or the pressure of a finger.

'It also contains a resin which changes with time by interacting with humidity, light and colour.'

Monsieur Jacquet's masks, mounted on steel stands, sell at 60 euros each and must be ordered in a minimum batch of five.

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Awesome Hotel made from plastic keys and cards

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with unwanted hotel key cards, then think no more.

Because, providing you've somehow amassed 200,000 plastic slips, the solution is simple – use them to build your own guest house.

That, at least, is what one hotel chain decided to do.


Holiday Inn’s Key Card Hotel, which opened yesterday in New York, includes a guest bedroom, bathroom and lobby, all fully equipped with life-sized furniture all made out of, yes, well, you get the point.

The 400 sq ft, two-ton construction in Manhattan , which will be in business until September 21, was built by world record-holding 'card-stacker' Bryan Berg.

He said: ‘This is my largest card-stacking challenge to date and the only card creation I have ever made at full human scale.’

During the five day event, Mr Berg will build a freestanding 9ft replica of New York’s Empire State Building in the lobby using Holiday Inn playing cards.

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