A Different Kind of Gold

Fungi, pineapples and a Georgian obsession

Flowerpot Parasol (Leucocoprinus birnbaumii) in a plant pot, Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland. © Bronwen Scott

I am losing the battle against the toadstools in my plant pots. Not that I’m putting up a big fight. It’s a lot of effort to check the pots, pull on gloves because who knows if those things are toxic, and pick out the cadmium yellow shapes as they push their way through the soil. There’s nothing much to be gained from plucking them from the pots. But…