We’re not kidding. These mushrooms are seriously magic. Glowing in the dark, they are just one of several evening delights awaiting those brave enough to endure the summer heat on Purple Mountain, Nanjing’s top hangout for luminous fungus.
It’s a well known fact that July’s hot, humid evenings bring out the fireflies. But not so for bioluminescent mushrooms. And this is one trippy little fungus that, unlike the fireflies, is not bothered much by human activity nearby.
According to Nanjing Daily, it is the recent heavy rains the city has experienced recently that have made these glow-in-the-dark mushrooms especially prolific this year.
But how do they work? Bioluminescent mushrooms employ luciferins, compounds which produce an enzyme-catalyzed reaction with molecular oxygen to release light. Interestingly, the term, luciferin, comes from the Latin “Lucifer”, not the devil itself, but “light-bearer”.
Top tip for finding the mushrooms is first to learn how recognise them in the daytime. Then there will be no time wasted wandering around in the dark, quite literally tripping.
On a more serious note, if headed to Purple Mountain for some firefly and magic mushroom spotting, spare a thought for our winged, wondrous friends. Mosquito repellent also affects fireflies, so to protect against mosquitoes, wear long-sleeved jackets and trousers.
Remember also to shut down car lights, flashlights, camera and cell phone flashlights; such cause fireflies to lose their direction. Fireflies like a humid and quiet environment with lush vegetation; watch quietly and do not make any noise. Clear evenings are more suitable for seeing fireflies.
Good places to firefly watching on Purple Mountain include the lane between Xiaolingwei and Lingu Temple, and Meihuashan on the road from Mingxiaoling to Shiwengzhong. More downtown, try Gulin Park and the primitive forest near Bear Valley in Hongshan Forest Zoo.
Much enlightenment awaits on what will certainly be a most luminous trip!
