The Fly agaric mushroom on the left has already been visited by some unknown creature(s) of the forest floor, it must have tasted good! The one on the right (shown in the background of 1st picture) is still in the process of breaking through the carpet of larch needles, leaves and twigs; and has yet to be ttied.

Mythology and symbolism

Fly agaric has a long history of use in religious ceremonies, particularly in Asia. For over 4,000 years it was the ingredient in a sacred and hallucinogenic ritual drink called 'soma' in India and Iran; while the Siberian shamans would give it out as a gift in late December.

This toadstool has turned up in many fairy tale stories and features in the story of Alice in Wonderland when she is given some fly agaric to eat.

Uses of Fly agaric

Fly agaric is poisonous and infamous for its psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties; but, reports of human deaths are extremely rare. It was traditionally used as an insecticide. The cap was broken up and sprinkled into saucers of milk. It's known to contain ibotenic acid, which both attracts and kills flies – which gave it its name.