The Secret Life of Fungi

Discover the hidden kingdom that keeps our planet alive in this stunning tribute to Aotearoa's wild and wonderful fungi

In Fantastic Fungi, obsessive fungi photographer Jay Lichter takes you on an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of fungi ― from the tiniest fruiting bodies barely visible to the naked eye, to the sprawling mycelial networks that stretch for kilometers beneath our feet.

From urban backyards to suburban parks and beyond exists a magical world that weaves every living thing together in a vast underground web of connection. Without fungi, there would be no plants, no animals, no us.

With his stunning photography and infectious curiosity, Jay uncovers the bizarre beauty, hidden intelligence and ecological genius of the fungi world.

Funny, fascinating and a little bit filthy, this book celebrates the unsung heroes of our planet ― the recyclers, the networkers, the quiet alchemists who make life possible. Once you've glimpsed their secret world, you'll never look at fungi the same way again.