For most of us, it isn’t very often that a chance presents itself to wander through the Iowa woods after dark. But the next time you do happen to find yourself in such a situation, keep your eyes peeled for one of the most magical natural phenomena in Iowa: foxfire.
Also known as fairy fire or even chimpanzee fire, foxfire refers to the ability of certain types of fungi to emit a bioluminescent light.
lalalfdfa / Wikipedia
In other words, we’re talking about glow-in-the-dark mushrooms!
Noah Siegel (Amanita virosa) / Wikipedia
At least two types of fungus known for producing bioluminescent light are commonly found in forests throughout the Midwest, including Iowa’s: some Panellus species, also known as bitter oyster mushrooms, and some Omphalotus species, also known as jack-o’-lantern mushrooms.
Ylem / Wikipedia However, over 80 species of fungus are known to bioluminesce, so these two are only the beginning.
Foxfire is typically a greenish, continuous light. Although not completely understood, the bioluminescence is attributed to a substance known as “luciferin” and is affected by such environmental factors as pH, light, and temperature.
Cas Liber / Wikipedia
The eerie green glow can be faint and hard to detect or bright enough to read by.
jpallante / Wikipedia
Although foxfire has been observed since ancient times, it’s not a well-known phenomenon in the modern-day. Perhaps the most common way people stumble across this strange, glowing sight is by accident, often on a log of firewood that they’re carrying into the house to load into the woodstove for the night.
Ylem / Wikipedia
Have you ever witnessed this strange fairy fire? Where did you spot it? Did you know what you were seeing?
jpallante / Wikipedia
To learn more about how foxfire works or see a list of species of fungus that exhibit this bioluminescent trait, head over to Wikipedia here. Isn’t nature so cool? Except when it’s not…
lalalfdfa / Wikipedia
Noah Siegel (Amanita virosa) / Wikipedia
Ylem / Wikipedia
However, over 80 species of fungus are known to bioluminesce, so these two are only the beginning.
Cas Liber / Wikipedia
jpallante / Wikipedia
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