Magic mushrooms have been found in the royal gardens at Buckingham Palace.
The hallucinogenic fungi was unearthed by TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, who was in the process of making a programme called ‘The Queen’s Garden’.
The red and white spotted toadstool – otherwise known as Amanita muscaria, or fly agaric – was discovered while the TV host was on a tour of the private 40-acre plot alongside ecology expert Professor Mick Crawley.
During the show, which is to be aired on ITV on Christmas Day, Titchmarsh says: "Is it edible?"
The professor responds: "That depends what you mean. It’s eaten in some cultures for its hallucinogenic affects. But it also makes people who eat it very sick.
"The old-fashioned thing to do was to feed it to the village idiot, then drink his urine because you get all of the high without any of the sickness."
In response, the TV host says: "I think I’ll forgo that and stick to normal mushrooms.
"Not something to try at home."
Meanwhile, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told The Sun newspaper: "For the avoidance of doubt, fungi from the garden are not used in the Palace kitchens."
Magic mushrooms found at Buckingham Palace
