Fungal Discoveries at FRIM's UNESCO Heritage Forest.

By -

Introduction

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia. Forest Park Selangor (FRIM) was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 11, 2025. The 545-hectare area is recognized as one of the world's earliest and most successful large-scale re-creations of a human-made tropical rainforest, planted on land devastated by tin mining beginning in the 1920s. The Malaysian Nature Society (Selangor Branch) Mycology Group (Mycology) has organized a fungal discovery walk on October 3, 2026. The walk was guided by FRIM nature guides and mentored by Mycology group experts.

Event Highlights

The event kicked off with an engaging safety briefing by Loon Yit Hong (Mycology group co-founder) and a short introduction to the FRIM UNESCO site by En. Nasir and Ms. Chua (FRIM’s nature guides). Eager to explore, the participants split into two groups and ventured into the Keruing trail to hunt for hidden fungi and discover their vital role on the forest floor.

The absolute highlights of the walk were spotting the ectomycorrhizal fungi—which form a fascinating underground partnership with tropical dipterocarp trees—and a striking parasitic fungus that closely resembles the popular Western "Chicken of the Woods" fungus. Looking up, participants were also spellbound by the stunning Crown Shyness of the Kapur trees (Dryobalanops aromatica), a beautiful canopy formation that looked remarkably like the social distancing we all remember from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ultimately, it was an eye-opening experience that went far beyond an ordinary nature walk, leaving everyone with a true appreciation for the incredible, interconnected world of flora, fauna, and funga in our forest ecosystem.

Photo Highlights

Event briefing by FRIM’s nature guide and Mycology group leader.
Left: En.Mohd Nasir Husin, FRIM’s nature guide
Middle: Ms.Chua Shoo Chan, FRIM’s nature guide
Right: Loon Yit Hong, MNS SB Mycology group co-founder
Photo by Wong Wei Fong
The participants were divided into two groups, each led by a FRIM nature guide and mentored by Mycology group experts
Photo by Wong Wei Fong

Mushroom hunting and photography techniques were shown to the participants along the trail
Photos by Cheah Lan Shy & Jacqueline Low
Crown Shyness tree formation - a social distancing-like formation by Kapur tree (Dryobalanops aromatica).
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
Giant dipterocarp trees along the Keruing Trail.
Photo by Yee Chun Wah
The Chicken of the Woods look-alikes polypores fungus that actually belong to the Hymenochaetaceae family
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
The rare Praearthromyces corneri fungus is associated with termites.
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
The Amanita sect Validae mushroom
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
The Termitomyces sp. mushroom, locally called Cendawan Pelanduk
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
The bizarre terrestrial orchid (Lecanorchis multiflora) parasitizes fungal mycelia for nutrients and water.
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
A pink Russula mushroom forms an ectomycorrhizal relationship with the resourceful Engkabang tree (Shorea macrophylla)
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
A cracking Austroboletus sp. bolete mushroom 
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
The little Hypholoma mushrooms glow bright green under UV lights.
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
Bird's nest fungi at different growth stages
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
A blue Gerronema mushroom at young stage.
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
A Brittlestem mushroom at young stage.
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
The signature golden brown guttation droplets of Candelolepiota sinica are stunning
Photo by Loon Yit Hong
Blue Trogia mushrooms grow on the decaying tree logs.
Photo by Jacqueline Low

Acknowledgement

MNS SB Mycology Group Co-Founder - Loon Yit Hong
MNS SB Mycology Group Commitee Member - Jacqueline Low Siew Leng
MNS SB Mycology Group Commitee Member - Alexia Ng Jing Wen
MNS SB Mycology Group Co-Founder / Amateur Mycologist - Joseph Pallante
MNS SB Mycology Group Commitee Member / Mycologist - Luca Pilia
FRIM Nature Guide - En. Mohd Nasir Husin
FRIM Nature Guide - Ms. Chua Shoo Chan
FRIM Mycology Officer - En. Azrai
Event volunteers - Cheah Lan Shy, Kho Wui Kiong, Wong Wei Fong, Yee Chun Wah, Allie Cheong & Ronnie Ooi.
Event participants & Family members - Ammar Rahimin, Leong Hon Yuen, Elyse Teng, Ho Wai Kwan,  Pakaporn Kruatat, Constance Teo, Hu Imm, Nur Asyikin Binti Abdul Rahman & Azra Ain Binti Abdul Rahman

Sponsors

Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNS Selangor Branch)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Hi, I'm Loon, a fungi enthusiast who loves exploring, discovering, and hunting mushrooms. Reading and studying about fungi keeps my curiosity alive about the wonders of nature.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7-Stars Mushroom Farm: An Engaging and Educational Mushroom Tour

By -
Image
The MNSSB Mycology Group had organized an educational and enjoyable mushroom tour at 7-Stars Mushroom Sdn. Bhd. on the 23rd of February 2025. The farm specializes in cultivating organic mushrooms such as shiitake, oyster, and lion's mane, using advanced tissue culture techniques and controlled green room environments to ensure premium quality and sustainability. Participants were able to explore the mushroom cultivation cold storage, guided by knowledgeable staff who will explain the intricate growing processes. They also engaged in hands-on activities, including picking their own mushrooms, and enjoy tastings of freshly prepared mushroom dishes, showcasing the unique flavors and textures of the farm's produce. The tour accommodated 33 participants, including individuals and families from diverse backgrounds but shared a common passion for fungi. This tour offers an insight into sustainable farming practices and the benefits of organic agriculture, making it an enriching ex...
Read more

Mysteries in the Malaysian Forest: A Tour of Odd Mushrooms

By -
Image
Fungi come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and Malaysia is a particularly rich country in terms of fungal diversity. From the small and minuscule to the large and bizarre, the country is home to a wide range of fascinating fungi that can be found in its forests and jungles. 1. C hlorogaster dipterocarpi Back in '99, some researchers (Thomas Læssøe and Leo Jalink) found an epic new puffball species in the Sabah forest in Malaysia. They tried reaching out to a bunch of fungal experts, but no one could help them identify it. It has very rarely been documented and is known from less than 5 sites.
Read more