|
Luminous Fungi
 |
 |
| Day View |
Night View |
|
Photos: Courtesy of Mark Robertson |
Luminous Fungi:
-
It is not unusual, when walking
through a forest at night, to see an eerie glow coming from the base of a tree.
Sometimes it turns out to be an insect, but often it is a bioluminescent
mushroom.
-
The light is created by a chemical reaction. A substance called luciferin reacts with an enzyme, luciferase, causing the luciferin to oxidise,
with the consequent emission of light.
-
Fireflies, glow-worms and a number of
marine organisms, such as fish, use bioluminescence to attract prey or mates.
-
The function in fungi is unknown. It has been suggested that it attracts insects
which then disperse the spores. It is also possible that the production of light
is incidental - although this is unlikely since it is an energy-expensive
process.
-
One of the best-known
bioluminescent fungi in Australia is Pleurotus nidfformis. This is a large,
irregular-shaped fungus with little or no stem, which often grows in dense
clusters at the base of living or dead eucalypts.
-
We have
Mycena
chlorophanos (above) with smaller, daintier fruiting bodies, also growing in
clusters. Not only the fruiting body but also the mycelium of this species
glows.
Ghost Fungus:
-
This gilled toadstool has fruit bodies which
are typically funnel-shaped, with a white cap which often becomes darker
yellow, brown, blue or purple (especially in the centre).
-
The gills and
spore print are white.
-
Ghost Fungus usually grows in clusters at the base of
trees.
-
The most distinctive feature of the Ghost Fungus is its strong
luminescence, the purpose of which is unknown.
-
It is poisonous, causing
severe vomiting.
-
It is sometimes confused with
Pleurotus species,
which are non-luminescent.
Additional Luminous Fungi Photos
|
