# Swamp Beacon (*mitrula elegans*) The Swamp Beacon is a unique mushroom that glows in the dark, lighting up the forest floor! Kids will love exploring at night to see this magical fungus shine brightly. - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Swamps and marshes - **Also known as:** Glowing Mushroom, Night Light Fungus, Swamp Glow ![Swamp Beacon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mitrula_elegans_740602.jpg&width=800) Photo: This image was created by user walt sturgeon (Mycowalt) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user he, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mitrula_elegans_740602.jpg) ## Appearance The Swamp Beacon is a tiny, club-shaped fungus with a bright yellow to orange, gelatinous head perched atop a slender, pale white stem. It often appears to be a miniature lollipop, frequently found in soggy, mossy areas or even partially submerged in water. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Ascomycota - **Class:** Leotiomycetes - **Order:** Helotiales - **Family:** Sclerotiniaceae - **Genus:** Mitrula ## Interesting facts - It loves water so much, you can often spot it growing right in shallow streams! - Its scientific name, Mitrula elegans, means 'elegant little cap' – fancy! - This tiny fungus looks like a lollipop stick that's fallen into the mud. - Unlike most mushrooms, it doesn't have gills under its cap to release spores! ## Special abilities - **Water Dweller:** Swamp Beacon has a rubbery, resilient texture that helps it thrive even when submerged in chilly, flowing water. - **Nutrient Recycler:** Swamp Beacon can break down dead leaves and wood because its enzymes return vital nutrients to the forest floor. - **Bright Signal:** Swamp Beacon has a vibrant orange cap that might attract tiny insects to help spread its spores far and wide. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2-8 cm - **Edible:** inedible - **Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm - **Growth Substrate:** leaf litter - **Season:** Spring to fall - **Spore Color:** White ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Decomposes its fallen leaves and twigs. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Breaks down decaying wood and leaf litter. - **Eaten by:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Small slugs and snails sometimes graze on it. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before touching wild mushrooms! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Swamp Beacon? Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Swamp Beacon? 2-8 cm ### Is Swamp Beacon edible? inedible ### How big is Swamp Beacon? 0.5-1.5 cm ### Where is Swamp Beacon usually found? Swamps and marshes ### What does Swamp Beacon grow on? leaf litter ### When is Swamp Beacon in season? Spring to fall ### What color are Swamp Beacon spores? White ## Where to spot - [Cumberland Mills Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cumberland-mills-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Holden Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/holden-arboretum) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Meshomasic State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/meshomasic-state-forest) — Connecticut, US · Forest - [Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carmanah-walbran-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Swamp Beacon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/swamp-beacon) ## More Fungi - [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*) --- Source: [Swamp Beacon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/swamp-beacon)