Strange Circular Formation in Her Garden: Woman Turns to Social Media and Is Shocked by the Answer

A woman was baffled when she discovered a perfectly circular ring of wild mushrooms growing on her lawn. The real reason behind it left her even more surprised.

 

 

According to the Daily Mail, a woman in the UK (who chose to remain anonymous) recently encountered a bizarre sight in her backyard. Amidst her lush green lawn, clusters of white wild mushrooms had sprouted. The most puzzling part? They had grown in a flawless circle, as if deliberately arranged.

Of course, she hadn't planted mushrooms in her garden. So what caused them to grow in such an orderly pattern?

Unable to find an explanation, she took a photo and posted it in the "Facebook Creative Gardening" group, seeking answers from the online community.

"What’s causing this ring of white mushrooms in my garden? It looks like I’m some kind of expert in growing mushrooms in circles! Some people even say it looks like something from a fairy tale."

Her question sparked an enormous response, garnering over 58,000 replies as people shared their theories on why the mushrooms had formed a ring.

One person speculated:
"It often means something was buried there—maybe an old grave or a broken underground pipe."

Another explained:
"Sometimes, old wells that have been filled in create a perfect moisture circle, which helps mushrooms grow like this."

Others believed it could be the remnants of a long-gone tree:
"I’ve seen a theory that these circles form where ancient tree stumps used to be," one commenter wrote, receiving many agreements.

Some leaned towards supernatural explanations, mentioning fairies—or even aliens.

Another popular theory was that the underground structure of a septic tank was responsible.
"Could your septic tank be underneath this spot? My family has ours in the garden, and the grass grows much greener above it. Just a guess," one man commented.

The Truth Behind the "Fairy Ring"

In folklore, these formations are called "fairy rings", a phenomenon that has been recorded in legends worldwide for thousands of years. Some myths claim they serve as portals between the fairy realm and the human world.

The post continued attracting thousands of comments until someone finally provided a scientific explanation. The woman had stumbled upon a natural fungal growth pattern known as mycelium rings, also poetically called "fairy rings."

One user explained:
"As mushrooms grow, their underground network—called mycelium—expands outward in a circular shape. Over time, the center dies, creating a perfect ring formation."

According to the University of Notre Dame, mycelium thrives beneath the soil, extending outward in a circle as it searches for nutrients. Mushrooms sprout along the outer edges, particularly in damp weather.

As the inner portion of the mycelium dies, it forms a dense, waterproof mat that prevents grass roots from absorbing water and nutrients. This often results in a barren patch at the center, while the grass at the outer edges remains lush due to the decaying mycelium acting as a natural fertilizer.

This cycle can persist for centuries, with the fairy ring expanding, shrinking, or shifting its location. While some find these formations fascinating, others are unnerved by their eerie, mystical appearance.

Fairy rings can range from just a few centimeters to over 50 meters (164 feet) in diameter. The largest known fairy ring, discovered in Belfort, France, has an astonishing diameter of 600 meters (1,968 feet) and is estimated to be around 700 years old.