Outdoors

9 fantastic facts about mushrooms

Published: August 21, 2018 Updated: June 12, 2022
The mushroom we see sticking out the ground and eat is also known as the “fruit body.” It serves as the reproductive structure of the larger organism, designed to spread spores. Even though each species of fungus' fruit body may spread spores in a different way, and present themselves in widely different ways, they all essentially serve the same function. Beyond that function, edible mushrooms themselves possess many nutrients and antibodies and are enjoyed as food by millions of people around the world. Be wary, many possess poison as well! What is growing underground, is where the real magic happens. Photo by Shutterstock /Sentelia
The mushroom is the "fruit" of the organism

The underground, interconnected web of filaments from which the mushroom grows is called mycelium. This web connects the fungus with it’s food for collecting nutrients. According to mycologist Paul Stamets, in his famous textbook, Mycelium Running, a single cubic inch of topsoil contain enough fungal cells to stretch nearly 13 kilometres if placed end to end. Photo by Shutterstock/chanus
The largest part of the mushroom exists underground

Ever wonder what exactly happens when a tree falls over in a forest and begins to rot? A fallen tree or any dead plant is colonized by one of many different kinds of fungus that release enzymes to begin breaking down the plant matter. As the plant matter breaks down, the nutrients are absorbed by mycelium and recycled through into the environment in a variety of ways, including the production of mushrooms. Photo by Shutterstock/Laszlo Csoma
Mushrooms are nature’s decomposers

Like something out of an old horror film, the largest living organism on the planet writhes right before our eyes, or rather under our feet. In Oregon state, in the soil of the Blue Mountains, lies the massive fungal sprawl of the Armillaria ostoyae or the Honey Mushroom fungus. This homogeneous fungus is estimated to cover 965 hectares of land and could be over 2,000 years old. The bad news is that this giant sprawl is parasitic and it causes Armillaria root rot, responsible for killing numerous conifers in North America every year. Parasitic fungus like this sucks the nutrients and water out of trees, killing forests and potentially causing forest fires. Photo by Shutterstock/Nadzin
The single largest living organism on Earth is a mycelium network

There are a several dozens of species of mushroom producing fungus, such as Omphalotus nidiformis or Mycena chlorophos, that contain bioluminescent properties which makes it glow in the night. These kinds of mushrooms are found all over the world from Australia to India to North America. In Ontario, you can find the Omphalotus illudens or “jack-o-lantern” mushroom. It was reported that the Aborigines of South Australia used to fear the mushrooms, thinking they were inhabited by spirits. Photo by Shutterstock/ Petar B photography
Some species of mushrooms glow in the dark

In recent years there has been a huge breakthrough in mycology in which mycelium is being tested to break down man-made pollutants in the environment. Whether plastics, oil spills or dyes and more, there is a lot of effort form microbiologists and mycologists to develop methods to break down chemical pollutants. A commonly used species of mushroom is one we often see in stores, the Oyster mushroom. It’s outlandish and radical seeming, but could be a sustainable solution to the worsening issue of man-made waste and pollution. Photo by Paul Stamets of his Mycoboom (TM) for breaking down oil in salt water.
Mushrooms can be used for bioremediation

One recently discovered mushroom species in Oregon has been regarded as the first of its kind. Psathrella aquatica was discovered in 2005 and appears to be quite strong, anchoring itself in sediment and is able to withstand strong river currents. Photo by By Daniel Neall (MycelialDiaSPOREa)
Mushrooms can grow underwater

It is well documented that around the world there are many common mutualistic relationships between insects like termites and mushrooms. In many cases, termite nests will be made with organic material with mycelium growing through it. The termite will feed their larva with growing mycelium. Once the nest has been abandoned, mushrooms will grow on the surface, which are often edible and enjoyed by the local human population. Photo by WikkiCommons/ Candice (Candice) at Mushroom Observer
Many termites around the world use mushrooms

The form of relationship formed between mycelium (and thus mushrooms) and the roots of many plants and trees is called a mycorrhiza. This relationship, if not parasitic, allows for exchange of water, minerals and essential nutrients between the fungus and the plant. Considering the vast web-like nature of mycelium, it has also been found that nutrients from one plant can be transferred to another via mycelium. This process is an essential function for healthy and even growth of forests or even some crops. Photo by Shutterstock/ Sigur
Mushrooms are essential for other plants and trees to thrive

Those funky looking fungi you see you growing on the floor of the forest around your cottage can often be overlooked in their complexity as an organism and the greater function they serve in the ecosystem. Mushroom hunting, for collection or observation, is a hobby enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts.

With over 10,000 different known species in North America, and countless more undiscovered, the variation between the species and their individual abilities are staggering, but these are the facts that you may not have known about the mighty fungus.

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