There may be as many as 5 million species of fungi, scientists believe, with more being discovered every day. Like these unusual specimens, hiding in plain sight deep in the forest.
Sprouting up from mossy undergrowth and moist bark, fungi are a species all of their own, believed to be more closely related to animals than plants. Inspired by this unique life form, Finnish artists Riitta Ikonen and Annie Collinge hit the forest and got creative, revealing what happens when we reconnect with the natural world and let our imagination run wild.
“I am deeply intrigued by dark fungi – all the millions of species that we humans haven’t knowingly encountered yet. No one will agree on the numbers, but what we can say is that only a tiny percentage of the world’s fungal species have been mapped so far. There’s much to learn, discover and protect!” says Ikonen.

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Mushroom magic