A new species of mushroom that looks like a man has been discovered by the side of a road . The fungus , found in Cockley Cley , Norfolk , has fleshy off-shoots that appear to resemble human heads , arms and legs . The discovery was made by Jonathan Revett and the mushroom has now been classified as a new species in the world . Fun guys : A new species of mushroom that looks like a man has been discovered by the side of a busy road . They have been named as geastrum britannicum to reflect them being unique to the UK . Mr Revett , 49 , said : 'They do look like little mushroom men . 'It 's really strange how their shape makes them look like they have a head and arms . That 's what drew my attention to them . ' Despite first spotting them in 2000 , the fungus was dismissed as a species of earthstar fungi which is prevalent in Norfolk . Having been interested in mycology - the study of fungus - for more than 40 years , Mr Revett sent them off to Kew Gardens for testing . The fungus , found in Cockley Cley , Norfolk , has fleshy off-shoots that appear to resemble human heads , arms and legs . However , 15 years later , mycologists in Spain carried out DNA sequence analysis and have just confirmed they differ slightly . Mr Revett - who runs the mycology website fenfungi.com - said : 'It felt brilliant knowing I 'd found something new . ' I would n't normally question the experts but I just knew these were different . ' I go back to the site every year doing tours and they 're always there . Since Mr Revett 's original find , three more specimens have been collected in Norfolk and the fungus has also been found in Hampshire and the Welsh Borders . 'It 's incredible to think I 'd only gone out there to look at some big mushrooms I 'd been tipped off about . ' Since Mr Revett 's original find , three more specimens have been collected in Norfolk and the fungus has also been found in Hampshire and the Welsh Borders . Carl Chapman , of Norfolk-based Wildlife Tours and Education , said : 'This is riveting stuff . This is not just a new species for Norfolk - this is a new species for the world . 'They were doing the work and requested some samples of this fungus and found the DNA was different . '
New fungus discovered by the side of the road in Cockley Cley , Norfolk . Named as geastrum britannicum to reflect them being unique to the UK . Comment: