The Fly Agaric has a typical toadstool shape with a red or orange cap and white dots. It is sometimes called the fairy toadstool.
Fly agaric is a common sight in the New Forest in autumn but should not be touched as it is harmful to humans.
Fly Agaric toadstools grow under the woodland canopy, always in association with birch trees.
All fungi consist of vast underground networks of threads and tendrils (called mycelium). These absorb nutrients from the surrounding dead and decaying vegetation which helps the toadstool to grow.
Decomposer: Fungi are important recyclers! They grow by absorbing food and water from their surroundings especially dead plants and animals.
Fungi rely on a good source of dead and decaying material. If this material is tidied up too much or removed from the woodland floor this can cause problems for the fungi. Over collecting can be another problem for fungi as this leads to a decline in numbers and a lack of reproduction. Fly agaric is poisonous but some types of fungi are edible. To find out more see the fungi pickers guide on the Forestry Comission website.