In Photos: Magnificent Czech Mushrooms

These fantastical images of the humble Czech mushroom could have been imagined by Tolkien

Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 26.10.2015 09:34:59 (updated on 26.10.2015) Reading time: 1 minute

Food & Drink

What drives the Czech passion for mushroom hunting? We asked photographer Jaroslav Malý, a member of the Czech Mycological Society whose work has appeared in several books including the English-language Astounding Mushrooms, magazines, calendars, children’s games, and mobile apps. 

“Czechs have always been close to fungi. During the war and in times of misery it nurutured us for generations and we have passed on those experiences and recipes. We just have it in the genes.”

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Many of the mushrooms featured in Mr. Malý’s stunning work come from Mělník and South Bohemia, though his own personal favorite site for picking are the woodlands surrounding Mladé Vožice. 

Mr. Malý is currently at work on a book about the medicinal powers of mushrooms. His website is a comprehensive online atlas of fungi (the good, the bad, the deadly) featuring many of the brilliantly hued specimens seen here.

Black sarcoscypha, or scarlet elf cap
Black sarcoscypha, or scarlet elf cap

Gomphidius glutinosus, or slimy spike cap
Gomphidius glutinosus, or slimy spike cap

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Calvatia excipuliformis, or pestle puff ball
Calvatia excipuliformis, or pestle puff ball

Lepista nuda, or wood blewit
Lepista nuda, or wood blewit

Boletus calopus, or scarlet-stemmed bolete
Boletus calopus, or scarlet-stemmed bolete

Hygrocybe psittacina, or parrot toad stool
Hygrocybe psittacina, or parrot toad stool

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Amanita pantherina, or panther cap
Amanita pantherina, or panther cap

Caloscypha fulgens, or the dazzling cup
Caloscypha fulgens, or the dazzling cup

Amanita muscaria, fly agaric
Amanita muscaria, fly agaric

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Lycoperdon perlatu, or the devil's snuff box
Lycoperdon perlatu, or the devil’s snuff box

Amanita muscaria, fly agaric
Amanita muscaria, fly agaric

Flammulina velutipes, or golden needle
Flammulina velutipes, or golden needle

Clitocybe nebularis, or cloud funnel
Clitocybe nebularis, or cloud funnel

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Boletus luridiformis, or red stemmed bolete
Boletus luridiformis, or red stemmed bolete

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