mushrooms-in-video-games

[mushrooms-in-video-games]

hello gamers. and mushroom lovers.

I'll go ahead and start this blog with what is probably the most well known video game mushroom, the Super Mushroom from Mario Bros!

(Screenshot from Super Mario World on the SNES)

The real-life counterpart for this mushrooms (as well as for almost any red and white mushroom) is Amanita Muscaria, also known as the Fly Agaric.

(Photo credit: JJ Harrison on Wikipedia Commons)

This mushroom is one of the most well known mushrooms ever. It grows in the wild on every continent except for Antarctica. Its fruiting bodies start to appear in autumn or early winter, depending on local climates. It can be identified by its rounded red cap with irregularly-shaped white spots. Although its appearance is fairly unique, it is important to keep in mind that the Amanita genus contains several species which look similar to A. muscaria, such as A. parcivolvata, A. persicina, and A. rubrovolvata.

Unlike its depiction in the Mario franchise, these Amanitas should usually not be consumed, as they are known to be very toxic. There are techniques to make them more edible, however these are not very commonly used. In addition to its toxicity, these mushrooms are also psychoactive, and are sometimes used for recreational/spiritual purposes. It should be noted that the effects of Amanita Muscaria differ from that of psilocybin-containing "magic mushrooms," although they are sometimes marketed as a legal alternative.

Although not commonly eaten, this mushroom still has a wide variety of other uses. Amanitas have long been associated with folklore and mystical settings, and as such depictions of them are widespread in decor with fantastical design elements. In some regions, the mushrooms are traditionally used to create fly traps. This use is the origin of the name "Fly Agaric"

With its distinct appearance and wide range, this mushroom is well-liked among most, and rightfully so. Its unique properties make it a stand-out specimen of a 'shroom! While it won't make you grow any larger, learning about it can certainly grow your appreciation for the wonderful world of mycology. If you've made it to the end of this post and want more, consider following me here, as I hope to be making more of these posts in the near future.