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fairy ring
fairy ring. A circle found in a lawn or pasture land thought to have been caused by dancing fairies. Scientific explanations for this widespread phenomenon are less poetic; the must usual is that it is caused by the spreading mycelia of a fungus (Marasmius oreades). The fairy ring may appear only as a depression in the grass but may also include sprouting mushrooms. If a human steps into the ring he or she is compelled to join the fairies in their wild dancing, which would seem to occur in a few minutes but in fact lasts for seven years or more. The unfortunate mortal dancer can be rescued by having someone outside the ring grab hold of his or her coat-tails. The concept is widely discussed in Celtic languages, usually by translations of the ‘fairy ring’: Ir. fáinne sídhe/sí; ScG fàinne s'th; Manx fainey shee; W cylch y tylwyth teg, twmpath chwarae. See also HUNGRY GRASS.
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JAMES MacKILLOP. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-fairyring.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-fairyring.html |
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fairy ring
fairy ring A circle of dark-green grass (in a lawn or field) in which toadstools may be found. The circle is formed as a result of the radial growth of a fungus through the soil, away from the centre of the ring; as the fungal mycelium grows it deprives grass roots of nutrients, but as it dies and decomposes the release of nutrients stimulates the growth of the grass, producing the dark coloration. Fairy rings are often formed by Marasmius oreades.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-fairyring.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-fairyring.html |
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fairy ring
fairy ring A circle of dark-green grass (in a lawn or field) in which toadstools may be found. The circle is formed as a result of the radial growth of the fungus through the soil, away from the centre of the ring. Fairy rings are often formed by Marasmius oreades.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-fairyring.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "fairy ring." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-fairyring.html |
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