A Fascinating Foray into the Fungal Firmament
Fungi Frenzy
Mushrooms are often thought of as simple, but there is much more to them than meets the eye. Here we explore some interesting and surprising facts about mushrooms, and consider the many ways in which these fascinating fungi have impacted our world.
Click on any of the stories below to go further down the rabbit hole
Did you know...
Fungi are more closely related to animals than they are to plants
The largest living organism on earth calls the Pacific Northwest 'Home'
The largest living organism on earth calls the Pacific Northwest 'Home'
As it turns out, animals and fungi share a common ancestor, and branched away from plants at some point about 1.1 billion years ago. It was only later that animals and fungi separated, taxonomically speaking.
The largest living organism on earth calls the Pacific Northwest 'Home'
The largest living organism on earth calls the Pacific Northwest 'Home'
The largest living organism on earth calls the Pacific Northwest 'Home'
A group of Armillaria ostoyae genets reside in the mountains of the Malheur National Forest. Several of these genets are very large, including the largest known fungus genet in the world; the Humongous Fungus.
Some mushrooms have the ability to produce electricity
The largest living organism on earth calls the Pacific Northwest 'Home'
97 types of Mushrooms glow in the dark (bioluminescence)
The mushroom species Pleurotus ostreatus, or the oyster mushroom, has been found to produce small amounts of electricity when it grows on certain types of wood. This phenomenon, known as "myco-electricity," is still not fully understood, but researchers believe that it may be related to the way that the mushroom breaks down and absorbs nutrients from its environment. This ability to produce electricity is thought to be unique to fungi and has the potential to be used for a variety of practical purposes, including the development of new energy sources.
97 types of Mushrooms glow in the dark (bioluminescence)
97 types of Mushrooms glow in the dark (bioluminescence)
97 types of Mushrooms glow in the dark (bioluminescence)
Light-emitting compounds called luciferin that are present inside these mushrooms react with oxygen molecules in the air. This enzyme-catalysed chemical reaction causes the mushroom to produce light, similar to how fireflies light up.
Mushrooms and Trees communicate via the Wood Wide Web
97 types of Mushrooms glow in the dark (bioluminescence)
Mushrooms and Trees communicate via the Wood Wide Web
A Mycorrhizal network (also known as a common mycorrhizal network or CMN) is an underground network found in forests and other plant communities, created by the hyphae of mycorrhizal fungi joining with plant roots. This network connects individual plants together and transfers water, carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients and minerals between participants.
Taxonomically Speaking...
Fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants because they share a number of characteristics that are not found in plants. For example, both fungi and animals are heterotrophs, meaning that they cannot produce their own food and must rely on external sources for sustenance. In contrast, plants are autotrophs, meaning that they can produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Additionally, fungi and animals both have cells with nuclei, while plant cells do not. Fungi also have cell walls that are composed of chitin, which is a polysaccharide found in the shells of insects and the exoskeletons of arthropods. This is similar to the chitin-based exoskeletons of animals, but is not found in plants.
Fungi are also more closely related to animals in terms of their evolutionary history. DNA evidence suggests that fungi and animals share a common ancestor, while plants evolved separately. This is supported by the fact that fungi and animals have a number of similar genes and biochemical pathways, while plants do not.
Overall, the evidence suggests that fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants, despite their morphological differences
Welcome to Happy Hollow Shrooms!
Check out our new online store for exclusive mushroom jerky and unique wellness products!