A species 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 found 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 common 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 and have a long history of use in religious and shamanistic rituals, according to the Kew Gardens website.

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 spokesperson said: "There are several hundred fungi species in the palace garden, including a small number of naturally occurring fly agaric mushrooms.

"As the programme explains, they are beneficial to trees, increasing their ability to take in nutrients."

Royal officials also made clear for the record that fungi from the garden are not used in the palace kitchens.

The fungi contains poison which, in rare cases, can cause death if consumed.