Sarah Brown
Glowing mushrooms, or bioluminescent mushrooms, are a fascinating phenomenon. More than 70 species of fungi are known to emit a mysterious green or orange light in the dark. While the purpose of this light is not yet fully understood, scientists have proposed several theories, including attracting insects for spore dispersal or luring arthropod predators. These mushrooms have captivated enthusiasts and researchers alike, leading to discussions about their growth and distribution and potential dangers. With some species being poisonous, it is essential to exercise caution when encountering these luminous organisms in the wild.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Omphalotus illudens, Omphalotus olearius, Omphalotus olivascens, Tsukiyotake (Omphalotus japonicus), Panellus stipticus, Panellus pusillus, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria gallica |
| Common name | Jack o'lantern, honey mushroom |
| Colour | Orange, yellow-brown, green, yellow-beige |
| Shape | Flat caps, gills, fans, palm fans, ping-pong paddles |
| Habitat | Forests, deciduous trees, decaying stumps, buried roots, hardwood trees, olive trees |
| Location | Southern Europe, Eastern North America, Southern to Central California, Japan, Eastern Asia, North America, Asia, Europe, Michigan |
| Toxicity | Poisonous, causes severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea |
| Bioluminescence | Glowing mushrooms, bright mushroom caps, gills, mycelia, mycelium |
| Purpose of bioluminescence | To attract insects for spore dissemination, to discourage animals from eating it, to attract arthropod predators |
| Moisture | Requires moisture to glow |
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What You'll Learn
Glowing mushrooms are often poisonous
Glowing mushrooms, or bioluminescent mushrooms, are often poisonous. Two common bioluminescent species, Omphalotus illudens and Omphalotus olivascens, are found in North America and are poisonous. Omphalotus olearius, commonly known as the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, is a poisonous orange gilled mushroom found in Europe, while its phylogenetically distinct relative, Omphalotus illudens, is found in eastern North America. Consuming this mushroom leads to severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Another poisonous bioluminescent mushroom is Tsukiyotake (Omphalotus japonicus), which contains the poison illudin and can be found in Japan and eastern Asia.
The purpose of the light emitted by glowing mushrooms is hypothesized to be either attracting insects for spore dissemination or an accidental byproduct of metabolism. Scientists have tested these theories with plastic mushrooms with green LED lights, observing that the light attracted various insects capable of disseminating spores. However, other studies have found that the light from some glowing fungi, such as the ghost fungus, did not attract any potential spore-dispersing insects.
Glowing mushrooms belong to the genus Mycena and Armarilla ("honey mushroom"), with the latter including the species Armillaria gallica, found throughout Asia, North America, and Europe. The jack-o'-lantern mushroom, Omphalotus olearius, is characterized by its orange gills and preference for growing on decaying stumps, buried roots, or at the base of hardwood trees in woodland areas. It can be distinguished from similar-looking chanterelles by its sharp, bendable, paper-like gills.
While glowing mushrooms are often poisonous, not all of them are lethal. The bright bioluminescence of these mushrooms is a result of a chemical reaction involving luciferin, a luciferase enzyme, and molecular oxygen, similar to the process in fireflies. This chemical reaction is called bioluminescence, and it produces an eerie green light on the mushroom caps.
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They glow due to a chemical reaction
The phenomenon of mushrooms glowing in the dark is known as bioluminescence. It is estimated that only a small portion of known fungi produces light, with 81 out of 100,000 fungi exhibiting this ability. This light is produced through a chemical reaction involving luciferin, a luciferase enzyme, and molecular oxygen. The light-emitting molecules, luciferins, interact with the luciferase enzymes and, with the help of additional enzymes, water, and oxygen, produce light. This process is similar to the bioluminescence observed in fireflies, although fungi utilize a unique metabolic pathway.
The purpose of this bioluminescence has been a subject of speculation for centuries. One theory suggests that the light attracts insects, aiding in spore dispersal. This hypothesis is supported by observations of insects being drawn to artificially illuminated plastic mushrooms in a Brazilian study. However, another study in Australia found that the light from the ghost fungus did not attract any potential spore-dispersing insects, indicating that the light may be an irrelevant byproduct of metabolism for certain fungi.
Some speculate that the light could serve to deter animals from consuming the mushrooms. This theory is supported by anecdotes of spiders ambushing insects on glowing mushrooms, as well as the vulnerability of sitting on a bright mushroom, which may increase the likelihood of spider attacks.
The bioluminescence in mushrooms is quite finicky, and it is challenging to capture its full intensity through photography. It is best observed in person, in total darkness, and at night, as the light is outshone by daylight. Additionally, maintaining moisture is crucial for the mushrooms to illuminate.
While glowing mushrooms are not inherently dangerous, it is important to note that some species, such as the jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius), are poisonous and can cause severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed.
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They glow to attract insects
The bioluminescence of mushrooms is a result of a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. This is the same chemical reaction that causes fireflies to light up.
While the reasons for the bioluminescence of mushrooms are not entirely clear, one theory is that they glow to attract insects. Fungi are immobile, so they rely on the wind or animals to carry their spores elsewhere. By attracting insects with their light, the mushrooms can get help spreading their spores. This theory has been supported by observations of plastic mushrooms with green LED-emitting lights, which were found to attract a variety of insects. However, another study in Australia reported that the light from the ghost fungus did not attract any potential spore-dispersing insects, suggesting that the role of light in spore dispersal may vary across different types of fungi.
Mycology professor emeritus Dennis Desjardin of San Francisco State University shared a story about Brazilian colleagues who observed spiders sitting on glowing mushrooms and ambushing arriving insects. In one instance, a cockroach was feeding on a mushroom when it was caught by a hunting spider. Desjardin suspects that glowing mycelium would attract arthropod predators, but this hypothesis has yet to be tested.
The jack o'lantern (Omphalotus illudens) is a poisonous orange-gilled mushroom that glows in the dark. It is found in eastern North America and is known for its bright nighttime glow. The Omphalotus olearius, another jack o'lantern mushroom, is found in southern Europe and South Africa. It is also poisonous and can cause severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed.
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They can be found in the wild
Glowing mushrooms, or bioluminescent mushrooms, can be found in the wild. More than 70 fungal species are known to exhibit bioluminescence, emitting a cold light that ranges from dull green to bright orange. These mushrooms are often found in forests, particularly in damp and dark environments. They grow on decaying organic matter, such as roots, stumps, and hardwood trees, and are typically found during the summer and fall seasons.
One of the most well-known glowing mushrooms is the jack-o'-lantern (Omphalotus olearius), which is commonly found in southern Europe, including southern France, the Iberian Peninsula, and other Mediterranean countries. It is also found in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This mushroom is poisonous and can cause severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed. Other species of jack-o'-lantern mushrooms, such as Omphalotus illudens and Omphalotus olivascens, are found in North America, while Tsukiyotake (Omphalotus japonicus) is native to Japan and eastern Asia.
Another notable glowing mushroom is Panellus stipticus, which is one of the brightest bioluminescent mushrooms globally. It belongs to the genus Panellus and is found in various parts of the world, although only certain strains in North America exhibit bioluminescence. Panellus pusillus, a close relative, is also bioluminescent and has a wide distribution, occurring on every continent except Africa and Antarctica.
The Armillaria genus, commonly known as honey mushrooms, includes several bioluminescent species. Armillaria gallica, for example, can be found throughout Asia, North America, and Europe, while Armillaria mellea, or the bulbous honey fungus, is well-known due to a massive 2,500-year-old colony discovered in Michigan.
While glowing mushrooms are fascinating, it is important to exercise caution when encountering them in the wild. Some species, like the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, are poisonous, and consuming them can lead to adverse health effects. Additionally, the bioluminescence of these mushrooms can be quite dim and challenging to photograph, so it is recommended to observe them in person at night to fully appreciate their glow.
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They can be grown at home
Glowing mushrooms, or bioluminescent mushrooms, are a fascinating phenomenon. They emit light due to a chemical reaction between luciferin and luciferase, two compounds also found in fireflies. This reaction helps the mushrooms attract insects, which in turn helps them spread their spores. While they can be dangerous, with some species being poisonous, they can also be grown at home.
If you want to grow glowing mushrooms at home, you can use spores of the desired type or mycelium. Mycelium is particularly recommended for beginners as spores are very susceptible to contamination and require a sterile environment, which can be difficult to achieve at home. Mycelium can be purchased online or in speciality shops in various forms, including syringes, inoculation dowels, wooden trunks, pure cultures in Petri dishes, and ready-made kits/glass cultures.
Inoculation dowels are small wooden dowels with the mycelium growing through them and can be used for growing on logs or in mason jars. They are particularly versatile and suitable for species whose fruiting bodies glow. To use them, you will need to attach a needle to the syringe, remove the needle guard, and place the needle tip into the marked injection site on the bag. Then, depress the plunger to empty the contents into the rye grain pocket. Place the inoculated bag into a plastic container grow chamber and keep it in an area with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fan the bag using the lid of the container, as these mushrooms require fresh air. After about two weeks, when the mycelium has colonized the grain pocket with white fluffy growth, cut open the top of the bag, add 1/4 cup of distilled water, and squeeze the bag to distribute the mycelium throughout the growing medium. Close the bag by folding down the top and securing it with a clothespin.
Once the mycelium has fully developed, move the container to an outdoor area protected from rain and sunlight, keeping temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Moisten the surface daily with distilled water to keep it from drying out. Once the mushroom colony has developed fruiting bodies, move the bag to a dark area to observe the glowing bioluminescence.
With the right care and conditions, you can successfully grow glowing mushrooms at home and enjoy their magical glow in your garden or home.
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Frequently asked questions
Some glowing mushrooms, such as the jack-o'-lantern (Omphalotus olearius) and the Tsukiyotake (Omphalotus japonicus), are poisonous and can cause severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, not all glowing mushrooms are toxic.
There are two main theories as to why some mushrooms glow. The first theory suggests that the light attracts insects to help spread spores. The second theory posits that the light is an accidental byproduct of metabolism and serves no purpose for the fungi.
Glowing mushrooms can be found on multiple continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Specific locations include southern Michigan, Raccoon State Park in Pennsylvania, southern France, the Iberian Peninsula, and other Mediterranean countries.
Some examples of glowing mushrooms include Panellus stipticus, Panellus pusillus, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria gallica, and Omphalotus illudens.
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