A green glow in the dark—Kenting’s tiny mushrooms are a stunning sight

▲ Not a UFO！Kenting’s newly discovered “Kenting Mushroom” that glows green in the dark. (Photo／Courtesy of Kenting National Park Headquarters)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

A green glow in the dark！Recently, a new species of bioluminescent mushroom was discovered in Kenting National Park, which naturally emits a green light in the dark. After comparing its appearance and DNA, it was confirmed to be a new species and named “Kenting Mushroom” (Mycena Kentingensis). It is currently mostly found in Kenting’s Sheding Nature Park, but the mushrooms are quite small, so visitors will need to keep their eyes peeled to spot them.

The “Kenting Mushroom” was discovered by NCHU graduate student Shih Yushen while conducting research on the classification of bioluminescent fungi in Kenting National Park. After comparison, it was identified as a new species, making it the 9th bioluminescent mushroom species in Taiwan and the 74th in the world. The Kenting National Park Headquarters noted that the Kenting Mushroom is about 3 to 8 millimeters in size, not very large, with a slightly bumpy surface, and naturally emits a striking green glow in the dark, though the mechanism behind the glow is still unclear.

▲ The “Kenting Mushroom” appears silvery-white in lit environments. (Photo／Courtesy of Kenting National Park Headquarters)

The Kenting National Park Headquarters stated that the previous 8 bioluminescent mushrooms discovered in Taiwan mostly grew on dead bamboo, while the Kenting Mushroom grows on dead tree branches, with both its mycelium and cap emitting a green glow. In addition to naturally found specimens, efforts are also underway to cultivate the mushroom artificially. Visitors to Kenting might want to keep an eye out for this tiny “green miracle.”