an introduction to fairy rings

Fungi fairy rings are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms formed mainly in forested areas, grasslands, or lawns. These rings happen due to the growth pattern of fungal mycelium underground that absorbs nutrients and expands outward in a circle, depleting the center, which may cause dead or differently colored grass in the center of the ring. Over 60 mushroom species can grow in these patterns, with the edible Scotch bonnet mushroom (Marasmius oreades) being the best-known type.

They are surrounded by rich folklore attributing them to supernatural beings, who were dance. The circles are often thought to be magical gathering spots, with lore suggesting consequences for humans who enter them, such as endless dancing, madness, or curses. Fairy circles figure prominently in European folklore, especially in English, Celtic, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian traditions, often linked to magical or mystical dancing at night and sometimes regarded as portals to other worlds .