A newly discovered species of fungus with an uncanny resemblance to little humans has been found on the roadside in Norfolk.
With fleshy heads, arms and legs, the mushrooms, discovered by Jonathan Revett in Cockley Cley, Norfolk have just been classified as a new species in the world.
Having been interested in mycology – the study of fungus – for more than 40 years, Jonathan, 49, sent the mushrooms off to Kew Gardens for testing.
He said: ‘It's really strange how their shape makes them look like they have a head and arms.
‘That's what drew my attention to them.’
The mushrooms have been named as geastrum britannicum to reflect them being unique to the UK.
Jonathan – who runs the mycology website fenfungi.com – said: ‘It felt brilliant knowing I'd found something new.
‘It's incredible to think I'd only gone out there to look at some big mushrooms I'd been tipped off about.’
Since Jonathan's original find, three more specimens have been collected in Norfolk and the fungus has also been found in Hampshire and the Welsh Borders.
Carl Chapman, of Norfolk-based Wildlife Tours and Education called the discovery ‘riveting stuff’.
He said: ‘This is not just a new species for Norfolk – this is a new species for the world.
‘They were doing the work and requested some samples of this fungus and found the DNA was different.’