A type of magic mushroom has been discovered growing in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly mushroom, was identified during a walkabout of the private gardens for a television show to be screened on Christmas Day.

Presenter Alan Titchmarsh told The Sun (£) he was surprised to happen upon the red and white-headed toadstool, which has hallucinogenic properties.

"That was a surprise but it shows just how varied the species are," said the presenter of The Queen's Garden.

Fly agaric are a common species and are understood to have grown naturally in the palace grounds rather than having been planted there.The hallucinogenic properties of the mushroom have been well-known for centuries .

The fungi is also important to the growth and development of many types of tree, and provides food for flies, and a breeding site for beetles.A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the paper:

For the avoidance of doubt, fungi from the garden are not used in the palace kitchens Buckingham Palace spokesman

The drug contains poison which, although rare, can cause death if consumed.