The Western Jack-o'-Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olivascens). This spectacular fungus gets its name not only because it is often orange like a pumpkin, but because it glows with soft bioluminescent light!
The gills of the Western Jack-o'-Lantern fungus produce a greenish glow, which you can see on very dark nights if you let your eyes adapt to the dark. It glows most strongly at the peak of spore production. The reason that these mushrooms glow, if there is one, is yet unknown. However, some have suggested that the glowing aids the mushroom in attracting animals, like fungus gnats, that will disperse the mushroom’s spores.
These mushrooms grow on, and break down wood. Look for Western Jack-o'-Lanterns on stumps and downed logs during the rainy season.
