Mushrooms having a moment, as traditional fears of fungi begin to fade

Coral fungi have intricate branching and are noted for their exquisite colours and resemblance to marine corals. (Supplied: Alison Pouliot)

After decades in the dark, mushrooms and other fungi are finally having their moment in the sun. 

Fungi have long been a source of fear and mystery in pop culture — from the mushroom-collecting title character in Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers franchise and their apocalypse-inducing role in game-turned-TV series The Last of Us, to the possibly psychedelic role they play in Alice In Wonderland.