Walk through certain forests at night, and you might catch a glimpse of something eerily beautiful—trees faintly glowing in the darkness. This phenomenon, though rare, has a well-documented scientific explanation: bioluminescence. While many associate this natural light with fireflies or deep-sea creatures, certain fungi produce a similar glow, illuminating tree trunks and forest floors with an otherworldly greenish light.
The source of this luminescence lies in a chemical reaction involving luciferin (a light-emitting compound), luciferase (an enzyme), and oxygen. When these elements combine, energy is released in the form of light. Bioluminescent fungi, like those responsible for glowing trees, thrive on decaying wood, breaking it down and using the reaction as part of their metabolic process. Scientists believe the glow attracts insects, which then help disperse fungal spores across the forest.
Not all glowing trees owe their eerie light to fungi, though. Research has explored the genetic modification of plants to include bioluminescent properties, inspired by nature’s own designs. Scientists have experimented with transferring genes from naturally bioluminescent bacteria and fungi into trees, creating plants that emit a faint, sustainable glow. Some propose that future city streets could be lined with glowing trees, offering an alternative to artificial streetlights.
Witnessing a glowing tree in the wild is like stepping into a realm of strange nature, where the boundary between science fiction and reality blurs. Whether the glow comes from ancient fungal symbiosis or cutting-edge bioengineering, the result is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Ancient legends and modern discoveries
The sight of glowing trees in dark forests has given rise to myths and folklore across the ages. Long before science unraveled the mechanisms of bioluminescence, people wove supernatural explanations into their cultural fabric. These eerie illuminations have been linked to spirits, omens, and hidden realms—mystical interpretations that, in some ways, capture the wonder of strange nature better than any scientific formula.
In Japan, for instance, ghostly lights in wooded areas were sometimes attributed to hitodama—floating orbs thought to be the souls of the dead. In damp forests where bioluminescent fungi thrive, these glowing patches on trees might have lent credence to the belief that spirits wandered the night. Meanwhile, in European folklore, tales of will-o’-the-wisps—elusive lights believed to lead travelers astray—could have had a counterpart in glowing fungi or phosphorescent wood.
One particularly striking example comes from Indigenous Australian traditions. Some Aboriginal groups spoke of glowing trees as manifestations of ancestral spirits, marking sacred sites or sending messages to those who knew how to read the signs. These stories may have been rooted in real encounters with bioluminescent fungi like Omphalotus nidiformis, known for its soft, eerie glow.
Even in more recent history, glowing forests have sparked intrigue. In the early 20th century, soldiers in World War I reported seeing faint light coming from decaying wood in the trenches—a phenomenon they called “foxfire.” Though now understood as bioluminescent fungi at work, to war-weary soldiers, the glow must have seemed like an omen, a flicker of the unknown in the depths of mud and misery.
Modern discoveries have allowed scientists to dissect the chemistry behind these glowing trees, yet fascination remains. Biologists studying the Amazon rainforest recently found that certain mushrooms emit light at night to attract insects that help spread their spores. Meanwhile, some researchers are looking at the possibility of using bioluminescent plants for practical applications, such as natural lighting sources.
Whether framed by ancient stories of wandering spirits or the curiosity of modern science, these luminous forests bridge the gap between mystery and discovery. There is something undeniably enchanting about them—something that reminds us that even in the age of knowledge, nature still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.