Certain mushrooms release a glow of cold light thanks to a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. It's the same bewildering trick fireflies use to illuminate their backsides on summer nights—and it's used for basically the same purpose in both cases. Whereas fireflies light up to attract mates, mushrooms light up to attract insects that will help them spread their spores. In the mushroom world, the phenomenon is called foxfire, and it occurs mostly amid fungi growing on decaying wood. Have you ever encountered a glowing mushroom at night?

Most of the world's glowing mushrooms belong to the genus Mycena, including the Green Pepe shown in this question. Mycena chlorophos' pale-green glow is visible because it occurs in its fruiting body, not just in its mycelia. It's brightest when it's just one day old and the temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is consistent with the subtropical climate of its native Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Brazil. Before this survey were you aware of a Green Pepe?

Mycena pura is pretty even when it isn't glowing. Its quintessential bell-shaped caps are usually soft purple in color. That's where it gets its common name, lilac bonnet. Are you familiar with lilac bonnets?

One of the more widely known bioluminescent mushrooms, the so-called jack-o'-lantern glows in both its mycelia and the gills on the underside of its cap. A dark-adapted eye can usually see it glowing, but only if it's a fresh specimen. These mushrooms lose their brightness over time. Jack-o'-lanterns have a very similar appearance to edible chanterelles but are poisonous, so do not eat them. Are you interested in looking for glowing mushrooms where you live?