The Truth Behind Fairy Rings

Fairy rings are a well-known phenomenon. On the surface, they’re rather difficult to explain. After all, while nature is quite magnificent, it still seems quite odd that a bunch of mushrooms would grow together in a circle. However, there’s actually a reasonable explanation. If you’re ready to find out the truth behind fairy rings, continue reading below.

What Are Fairy Rings?

If you’ve ever traveled around in areas that are humid and the soil stays rather moist, you’ve probably come across a fairy ring. These are perfect or near-perfect circles of mushrooms. The mushrooms grow up around the edge of the circle.

Many are small, only a couple of feet. However, others can grow to nearly 1,000 feet. These circles of mushrooms are called fairy rings. The ones in yards are often no more than 15 feet. Sometimes, the rings don’t finish. It’s common to see not quite rings, such as semi-circles, as well.

The Myth Behind Fairy Rings

People used to believe that fairies made the rings, hence the name. When night came, many fae creatures could be found dancing around inside the ring.

People were warned to never enter the rings. If they did, they’d disturb the fun. Since fae are all about fun, it’s important to never disrupt them. If you do, then they might make you the focus of the party instead. Generally, those who stepped into the rings were made to dance with the elves until they collapsed from utter exhaustion.

In places like Germany, fairy rings are called witches’ rings. It was thought that these rings were where witches would dance on Walpurgis Night, which is a night exactly six months before Halloween.

In Austria, dragons were the creatures blamed for the unusual fungi. The fiery tails of dragons would burn the forest floor, leaving behind these circles.

Across the world, fairy rings appear. Wherever they do, stories are sure to follow. Some believe that they symbolize good luck. Some say they are the entrance to underground fairy villages. Others say that they are a series of dinner tables for fairies. There are also stories of them being portals or a way to trap people in the fairy realm forever.

How Fairy Rings Actually Form

While no one is discrediting the existence of fairies, science has come up with another reason for why fairy rings form.

As is clear from the surface, fairy rings are made up of mushrooms. However, it isn’t hundreds of little mushrooms magically growing together in a circle. Instead, it’s one mushroom with several different bodies above the ground.

The fungus that creates fairy rings grows under the surface of the soil. It then grows a lot of mycelium, generally in a circular shape. Once the mushroom is big enough, usually the next year, it will sprout a series of mushroom caps.

The Different Types of Fairy Rings

Generally, for classification purposes, fairy rings are broken up into three main categories. These are Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.

Type 1 consists of the mushrooms and rings you’re more likely to see on golf courses. They reduce the water that the soil can absorb and create drought-like conditions. These conditions are what turn the grass on the edge brown as it starts to die off.

Then, there are Type 2 fairy rings. These are the ones that grow in lawns. Type 2 mushrooms release nitrogen, promoting lush growth and thick grass in the center of the circle. This is thanks to decaying organic matter.

Type 3 fairy rings generally appear during the wettest seasons of the year. They will form when there’s a lot of moisture sitting on and in the ground, and when the earth is well insulated, such as with wet leaves. They may also appear on lawns if the soil is kept very wet. They can act as a good sign that you’re over-watering your lawn.

The Dangers of Fairy Rings

Fairy rings may not sweep you up in the realm of fairy, but that doesn’t mean they are entirely harmless. While they don’t normally kill off turf on golf courses and lawns, they do leave unsightly brown patches. Generally, fairy rings will go away on their own. However, proper aeration will speed up the process.

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