Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi that come in many shapes and sizes, with approximately 14,000 species described. They are commonly recognised by their umbrella-shaped sporophores, which are the fruiting bodies of certain fungi, typically of the order Agaricales. The term 'mushroom' is loosely applied to a wide range of fungal species, including agarics, boletes, hedgehog mushrooms, polypores, shelf fungi, and bracket fungi. Some mushrooms are also known for their unique characteristics, such as the lobster mushroom, which has an unusual shape and red colour due to parasitic deformation. Mushrooms have various uses beyond culinary applications, including dyeing wool and other natural fibres, as well as ongoing research in genetic engineering for enhanced nutritional and medical purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of species | 14,000 |
| Structure | Umbrella-shaped |
| Parts | Cap (pileus) and a stalk (stipe) |
| Development | Develops from a nodule or pinhead, called a primordium |
| Spores | Found on the tips of thin projections called sterigmata |
| Dye | Used for dyeing wool and other natural fibers |
| Fire | Used as fire starters (tinder fungi) |
| Culinary | Used in cooking, popular worldwide |
| Medicinal | Used in medicine, ongoing research in genetic engineering |
| Psychedelic | Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are used for dyeing wool and other natural fibres
Mushrooms have been used for dyeing wool and other natural fibres for centuries. The practice has a long history and tradition, with Dominique Cardon, in her book *Natural Dyes: Sources, Tradition, Technology and Science*, tracing its use back to as early as the 15th century.
The contemporary use of mushrooms for dyeing natural fibres is owed to Miriam Rice, who experimented with, documented, and spread the word about fungi as dyes for fibres and paper. Today, many dyers continue to experiment with mushrooms to create dyes for wool and other natural fibres. For example, Anne Williams of Stonington, Maine, has been experimenting with mushrooms as dyes for years, using mushrooms that no one else seems to use, and has dyed wool with dozens of species.
Mushrooms can be used to create dyes via colour-extraction with a solvent (often ammonia) or particulation of raw material. The type of mushroom will determine the colour of the dye, with the shingled hedgehog mushroom and related species containing blue-green pigments, and the fruiting body of Hydnellum peckii producing a beige colour when no mordant is used. Other mushrooms, such as Phaeolus schweinitzii, produce varying colours depending on the mordant used, ranging from green to yellow, gold, or brown.
When dyeing wool and other natural fibres with mushrooms, it is important to follow certain steps and use specific supplies. First, the type of fibre must be selected, as this will determine the ratio of mushroom to fibre and the type of mordant required. For example, cellulose/plant-based fibres such as cotton, linen, or hemp can be used, but the colours tend to be more muted and lighter. Protein/animal-based fibres such as wool and silk, on the other hand, tend to create brighter, more saturated colours. The fibre should then be weighed and mordanted before dyeing to ensure that the colour from the mushroom dye binds with the material. There are various mordants that can be used, each producing different colours. For example, alum mordant produces the brightest, clearest colours, while iron will darken or dull the colours, and copper will shift the colours towards blue and green.
Mushroom Curry: Should You Add This Ingredient?
You may want to see also
Magic mushrooms are a type of psychedelic mushroom
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic mushroom. They are hallucinogenic and contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychoactive chemical psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin is the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, and it is responsible for the psychedelic effects experienced by users. These effects can include hallucinations, an altered sense of time, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. The psychological consequences of consuming psilocybin mushrooms can vary considerably among individual users, and may also depend on the user's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and their expectations.
Magic mushrooms are often used as recreational drugs and have been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. They have also been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. Psilocybe cubensis, a species of magic mushroom, has been reported to contain significant amounts of both psilocybin and psilocin.
The physical effects of consuming magic mushrooms may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The psychedelic effects typically appear around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. Psilocybin mushrooms have not been found to cause physical or psychological dependence, and they create short-term increases in tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them.
Magic mushrooms are considered illegal in many places, including Australia, where there are penalties for possessing, using, selling, or driving under the influence of psilocybin. However, in some jurisdictions, psilocybin-containing mushrooms and products may be purchased at specialty stores.
Blanching Mushrooms: Quick and Easy Steps for Perfect Results
You may want to see also
Mushrooms are used in medicine and sold as supplements
Mushrooms have been used in medicine for thousands of years. Ötzi, the Ice Man, who lived nearly 5300 years ago, carried birch polypore to help him survive in the Alps of northern Italy. The First Peoples of North America used puffball mushrooms as wound healers. In Eastern medicine, enoki mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years, and are now being studied for their anti-tumour properties.
Modern science has recently begun to rediscover the medicinal properties of mushrooms, exploring how they might fight disease in humans. Some mushrooms have been shown to inhibit the growth of human cancer cells, protect against neurodegeneration, and improve the immune system. For example, shiitake mushroom extracts help prolong the lives of stomach cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and doctors in Japan now prescribe them for that purpose. Maitake and scaly wood mushroom extracts also seem to strengthen the immune system of some breast cancer patients.
Mushrooms are also sold as supplements, often in the form of dried and milled mushrooms sold in capsules or powder. Reishi, lion's mane, chaga, and turkey tail are big business in the US, with consumers taking them to bolster brain and gut health. However, purveyors of such supplements are cautious not to make specific claims about their products. Mushroom supplements are not approved by the FDA for medicinal use, and optimal doses have not been set for any condition. Nevertheless, some people take them for a variety of reasons, including stress reduction, immunity support, and increased mental sharpness.
Viking Mushroom Rituals: Exploring Ancient Norse Drug Use
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.62 $14.95
Mushrooms are used as fire starters
Mushrooms, or more specifically, polypores loosely called mushrooms, have been used as fire starters since ancient times. One such example is the Hoof Mushroom, which has been used by ancient nomadic tribes around the world, including the Viking civilizations of Northern Europe, and was even found in the survival pack of Ötzi the Iceman, a mummified corpse of a man who lived around 3000 BC. The Hoof Mushroom's inner fibres are perfect for starting fires as they are fleshy and leathery, and when dried correctly, can hold an ember and keep it smouldering for long periods. This allowed people to move embers from one place to another without creating a spark, which is especially useful in damp and windy conditions.
Another example of a fire-starting fungus is the Phellinus robineae, or Cracked Cap Polypore, which is found in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions. This mushroom grows on dying or dead black locust trees and can be used in the same way as the Hoof Mushroom. Its cap is a wide semicircle, flat on the bottom and hoof-shaped on top, and its upper surface is yellowish-brown to brown, turning black and cracked as it ages.
In addition to their use as fire starters, mushrooms have also been used for other purposes such as dyeing wool and other natural fibres, as well as the development of new biological remediation techniques and filtration technologies.
While mushrooms have practical uses, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are helpful, and only about 250 species out of the 70,000 known species of fungi are considered good wild food. Therefore, proper identification of mushroom species is crucial before using them for any purpose, including fire starting.
Mushrooms: Insomnia Trigger or Sleep Aid?
You may want to see also
Mushrooms are used in genetic engineering for nutritional value enhancement
Mushrooms are a staple in many kitchens, and they are also used for medicinal and spiritual practices. They are found in almost every ecosystem and play a central role in the recycling of organic matter.
Genetically engineering mushrooms can improve their nutritional value and enhance their material properties. The genetic makeup of mushrooms directly affects their food, medicine, and material properties. Therefore, genetic engineering can be used to explore their genetic potential and benefit ecological and commercial mushroom research.
The food safety concerns of genetically engineered mushrooms are a subject of debate. While some argue that it holds promise for precision breeding of crops with many desirable traits, others caution that tinkering with plant genes could lead to unintended consequences.
Genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 have been used to create anti-browning mushrooms with longer shelf lives. This technology allows researchers to disable a gene or add desirable traits by modifying specific genes in the genome. Other genetic engineering techniques used for mushroom transformation include polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation (PMT) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT).
In conclusion, mushrooms are used in genetic engineering to enhance their nutritional value and explore their genetic potential. While this offers many benefits, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and regulate the use of genetic engineering techniques to ensure food safety.
Mushroom Magic: Do Potabello Mushrooms Offer Vitamin D?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic. They are used as recreational drugs and can cause hallucinations.
Some common types of mushrooms include oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms.
A mushroom is the umbrella-shaped fruiting body of certain fungi, typically of the order Agaricales. The term "mushroom" is often used to refer to the edible fruiting bodies, while the term toadstool is used for the inedible ones.
Mushrooms are used in cooking, medicine, and dyeing wool and other natural fibers. They also have potential applications in genetic engineering for nutritional and medical use.
