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14 bizarre and beautiful mushrooms

By: Jaymi Heimbuch on April 17, 2014, 2:54 p.m.

A blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) grows out of a moss-covered patch of ground.

Photo: Tom [CC by 2.0]/Flickr

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Entoloma hochstetteri

Found in New Zealand and India, this tiny mushroom is easily recognized by its vivid blue color, which comes from three azulene pigments. It's unknown whether or not it is edible, but New Zealand celebrates it on stamps and the back of a $50 bank note.

A blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) grows out of a moss-covered patch of ground.

clathrus archeri

Lycoperdon echinatum

Mutinus caninus

turkey tail mushroom

Hydnellum peckii

Gyromitra esculenta

Phallus indusiatus

Mycena chlorophos

Laccaria amethystina

Hericium erinaceus

Chorioactis geaster

Lactarius indigo

Clathrus crispus

Entoloma hochstetteri

Found in New Zealand and India, this tiny mushroom is easily recognized by its vivid blue color, which comes from three azulene pigments. It's unknown whether or not it is edible, but New Zealand celebrates it on stamps and the back of a $50 bank note.