Mushrooming popularity of homegrown fungi 'could lead to biodiversity disaster'

An increase in the number of people growing mushrooms in their garden could lead to a biodiversity disaster similar to those caused by Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants, experts have warned.

- Helena Horton

Once fungi are in the soil, they are hard to remove because they spread with tiny mycelia and spores, which cannot be removed. Scientists are still studying the effects of fungi in the soil but know they can change its microbiology and makeup in positive and negative ways.

Mushrooms are booming in popularity, and are being grown in the garden and in homes.

This year, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show's plant of the year shortlist included a mushroom for the first time, despite it not being a plant. It did not win, but it was a talking point at the show that the tarragon oyster mushroom, thought to be found only in Britain and Ireland, made the list even though it is a fungus.

Scientists at Kew Gardens in southwest London have had an increasing number of inquiries about growing mushrooms in the garden after installing mushroom beds in Kew's kitchen garden.

Researchers are exploring the beneficial interactions between plants and mycorrhizal fungi.