Freaky fungi!

Green and lumpy, red and spotty - or even purple and spiky! Fungi comes in ALL shapes and sizes. From the gorgeous to the grotesque there are more than 15,000 species in the UK. Neither plant, nor animal, fungi make up an entire kingdom of their own. Check out some of our favourites below!

Certainly a weird one! This fungus spends most of its time concealed as a sphere underground. It will pick its moment to dramatically burst through the soil to reveal star-like rays! Read more or watch the video below.

These mushrooms are carnivores. In order to obtain the nitrogen they need, oyster mushrooms secrete a powerful toxin that stuns passing microscopic nematode worms, whereupon their sprawling fibres will seek out and enter their mouths and suck out their guts! Read more or watch the video below.

The scarlet elfcup fungus brings some glamour to the fungi world. It has a bright, scarlet surface covered in tiny hairs. Read more or watch the video below.