Not only are they delicious, making it exquisite, but they are more than that for they are organisms that are exceptional and remarkable from the rest of organisms in the natural world. These fungi have a history ranging from their evolutionary relations to histories they have with the environments they occupy and this information may amaze core nature lovers.
Now it is time to reveal six Mushroom Fungi Facts that will help people get acquainted with these extraordinary fungi a bit more closely.
Read More: Fungi Fitness Fusion
1. Surprisingly, Mushrooms are even more closely related to humans than plants.
When you hear about mushrooms, you always classify them under plants. But going by the evolutionary history, mushrooms are more relative to man than plants as previously described. Fungi and animals of which people are a part, form a group known as the Opisthokonta, which separated from plants one billion years back.
Evolution of Fungi:
Fungi and animals are more closely related in terms of on a cellular level than fungi and plants are because fungi evolved from animals. For instance, people and fungi require something that is called chitin for rigidity – fungi employ it in their outer membranes, whereas people and other animals – in the exoskeletons. Also, fungal and animal cells have similar metabolism, for instance, animals synthesize glycogen for storage of energy.
These are interesting facts for biology and medicine because such species are so closely related. For instance, there are some drugs or antifungals that trace their effect on human cells because of the similarity observed in the biochemical properties of the fungi and humans. Fully appreciating these connections allows scientists to devise more efficient forms of trees for fungal infections; without adversely affecting human cells.
2. The Largest Living Organism on Earth, Is a Fungus
The first runaway gobblers that come to mind when talking about the biggest living beings are a blue whale or a tree. But the title belongs to a fungus: Armillaria ostoyae , a gnarled shrub of the forest that is commonly referred to as the honey fungus. Discovered in the Blue Mountains in Oregon it is claimed that this giant fungus covers nearly 2,385 acres (965 hectares) of the forests and is over 2,400 years old.
Armillaria Ostoyae:
It is a subterranean fungus, Armillaria ostoyae propagates itself in a large area by issuing mycelium – thin string-like strands. Most of the fungus’s mass is unseen, beneath the forest floor, but several times a year it pushes stalks up through the ground – clusters of honey mushrooms beside the base of trees. This fungus is an ectomycorrhizal parasite, which means that it feeds on tree roots after which, it proceeds to kill them; this leads to the formation of mycelial cords, which are connected like a web all across.
This huge organism’s finding has created curiosity about the effects of fungi within the ecological chain. This species is ecologically important in that it decomposes trees and returns nutrients to the ecosystem through services. But as a parasite, it can become a menace to the area and destroy forests if the parasite flourishes.
3. A few mushrooms emit light in dim conditions.
Fluorescence which is the production of light is known best from fireflies and some sea creatures that live in the dark. But such a wonderful skill is possessed not only by the above-mentioned amazing plant but also by some mushrooms. These bioluminescent mushrooms commonly known as foxfire or fairy fire give out a faint green light on a black background.
Bioluminescent Mushrooms:
Perhaps the most famous bioluminescent mammals are the mushrooms, which are identified as the Jack-o’-lantern mushroom, Omphalotus olearius, with the greenish light-emitting gills. This glow is due to a chemical reaction between a pigment called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase which illuminates. Despite ambiguity and uncertainty concerning the function of bioluminescence in the situation of mushrooms, several experts consider that it may create an appeal to insects which seem to facilitate the spread of the mushroom spores thus, sexual reproduction.
Some of them are found in Northern America, while others are from Asia and grow in forests and other plant habitats that are mossy areas, shaded areas, and so on. That will be some other day then perhaps the next time you go night hiking or camping you will be fortunate enough to see one of these marvels of the night.
4. some mushrooms make their wind.
However, when it comes to the matter of spreading their spores, mushrooms are very creative. Although, most plants expect seeds to be dispersed by wind or through animal assistance; some mushrooms produce their wind.
Mushroom Spore Dispersal:
Mushrooms have a structure on their underside that is gill-like or porous and it is here that they release their spores, their reproductive cells. To make sure these spores are moved away from the parent mushroom, some fungi release water vapors, this cools the surrounding air around the mushroom and forms a microcurrent. That microcurrent helps to raise the spores up and thus, they fly away with the wind.
This process is most helpful with the mushrooms that are normally found in areas with little ventilation as it is with the forests. This results in the concessive creation of their wind hence increasing the ability to spread their spores hence the continuation of this specific species.
5. Mushrooms as Natural Pesticides
Yes, they are not only interesting but are also very beneficial especially when it comes to coming up with practices that can help in sustainable farming. Certain fungi release materials that can be used to control pests that might affect agriculture by using natural supplements for pesticides.
Natural Pesticides Mushrooms:
One example that deserves that it is a biocontrol agent is the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae: it kills and infects” numerous insects. This particular fungus has been utilized as a bio-control agent against pests such as termites, locusts, and mosquitoes. This fungus just enters the insect’s skin and feeds on its internal organs until the insect dies; when an insect touches the spores, the fungus enters its body and melts in its body as it feeds on its internal tissues.
It is equally important to take advantage of fungi as natural pesticides for the following reasons. Contrary to chemical pesticides that can be toxic to any organism and the environment, fungal biopesticides are selective and biodegradable. Due to this factor, they are preferred in organic farming and practicing of sustainable agriculture.
Actual fungous biopesticides can already be applied, and this has proven to provide positive outcomes. For instance, Metarhizium has been used in Africa to control locust plagues and so significantly discussing the application of chemical pesticides and preserving crops.
6. The Mysterious World of Magic Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms also called magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin with history dating back to their use in religious and spiritual rituals. They have the psychoactive compound psilocybin in them; this substance can produce hallucinogenic effects alongside modulating perception.
Magic Mushrooms History:
Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used since ancient times being a part of a religious practice in the native populations of Central and South America among others. During the fifties and the sixties, psilocybin became popular in the West during the period known as the Psychedelic Era where it was widely studied for its possible medical use such as in curing mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The general information about the substance is quite surprising as well as the specific facts associated with its usage. Psilocybin is primarily metabolized into psilocin within the stomach and then gets absorbed into the brain where it triggers serotonin receptors eliciting perception, mood, and thought changes. Some modern experiments indicate that psilocybin’s impact on the brain is distinct and can even adjust the neural patterns connected with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.
Nevertheless, as a result of possible utility, psilocybin remains a scheduled substance in many countries, but the positions in this matter tend to liberalize. Present scientific initiatives combined with clinical studies are attempting to define its healing advantages, and some countries have started depenalization or even legalization of psilocybin therapy.
The area of magic mushrooms remains an enigma and fascinating to many, mainly scientists, and the public since the discovery of the connection between fungi and the human brain.
Conclusion
The facts about mushrooms are quite many and rather intriguing which makes the mere concept of a mushroom to be much more than just an ingredient on most plates. Thus, mushrooms have various and interesting physical characteristics if compared with other living organisms, starting from their proximity to humans in evolution and ending with their capacity to produce interesting phenomena such as their self-powered winds, not to mention their usage as natural insecticides and other perspectives that are studied and discovered at the present days.
Exploring more on the facts of mushrooms, these simple yet informative would be intriguing for a naturalist, a forager, or anyone interested in gaining some new and fascinating knowledge. Just remember that every time you see a mushroom in a forest or on your plate, there is a lot that you can learn about the history and science of mushrooms.
