Question

Why mushrooms are called fairy rings

Answer 1

The underground mycelium of the fungus grows in a circle outward from the centre. When the nutrients at the centre are exhausted the centre dies, same is the case with the ring like mycelium. The inner rings die and new outer rings are produced with time. These rings become visible above ground when fruiting bodies or the mushrooms are borne. In old times, these rings were thought to be created by the fairies or elves and are given various names like fairy rings, elf rings, fairy circles etc.