Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that have been used by various ancient civilizations, such as the Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec, for their therapeutic and ritual purposes. The study of mushrooms and their colonial growth is a fascinating area of research. In nature, mushrooms form colonies and contribute significantly to the health of plants and the ecosystem. Their ability to decompose organic compounds and convert biomass into compost makes them vital to agriculture and the carbon cycle. The largest organism on Earth is a fungus, specifically a type of mushroom called Armillaria solidipes, which covers an extensive area of soil in Oregon's Blue Mountains. This massive fungus, also known as honey mushrooms, showcases the colonial nature of mushrooms and their ability to colonize and grow into vast networks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms | Colonial |
| Refers to the growth of a multicellular integrated organism | |
| The manifestation of fungal colony growth | |
| The growth of a multicellular integrated organism | |
| The growth of a colony of Armillaria solidipes (formerly known as Armillaria ostoyae) | |
| Sacred mushrooms used by Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations |
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What You'll Learn
- The use of mushrooms in colonial cooking, such as mushroom ketchup
- Sacred mushrooms in ancient Mesoamerican tradition, including the Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations
- The colonial expropriation of mushrooms from Indigenous communities and the resulting ethical issues
- The role of mycelium in the decomposition of plant material and the creation of compost
- The world's largest known organism is a fungus, specifically a mushroom
The use of mushrooms in colonial cooking, such as mushroom ketchup
Mushrooms are used in a variety of ways in colonial cooking, one of the most prominent being mushroom ketchup.
The history of ketchup began over 2000 years ago in China, where it was a fermented fish sauce. In the 1600s, the British were introduced to this savoury sauce and it became popular. At this time, most ketchups in the 1600s and 1700s were made from fish, oysters, mushrooms, and/or walnuts. The word 'ketchup' is thought to come from the Chinese 'ke-tsiap', or pickled fish sauce. It is also similar to Worcestershire sauce, which is another early form of ketchup.
In the United States, mushroom ketchup dates back to at least 1770 in English-speaking colonies in North America. In the 18th century, many people in England and North America believed tomatoes were poisonous, so tomato ketchup was not common until the mid-19th century. Mushroom ketchup was used on roast meats and poultry, as well as in pies and sauces.
To make mushroom ketchup, mushrooms are chopped up, seasoned with salt, and left to sit overnight. Spices and vinegar are then added and the mixture is cooked. The liquid that is squeezed from this concoction is thinner and stronger in taste than modern-day ketchup. The final product has a dark colour derived from the spores that transfer from the mushrooms to the solution.
Mushroom ketchup can be used as a condiment and as an ingredient in the preparation of other sauces and condiments. It goes well with a wide variety of meats and vegetables, including beef, lamb, cooked greens, and polenta.
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Sacred mushrooms in ancient Mesoamerican tradition, including the Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations
The ancient Mesoamerican civilisations of the Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec used sacred mushrooms in their religious practices and healing rituals. The use of hallucinogenic substances dates back to the Olmec era (1200-400 BCE), and archaeological evidence suggests that the use of psychedelic mushrooms in Mesoamerica dates back to 3000 BCE.
The Maya consumed a psychedelic mushroom called k'aizalaj okox, or teonanàcatl by the Aztecs, which contains the entheogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms were consumed in religious ceremonies, and archaeological evidence, in the form of 'mushroom stones', supports this. These stones are often decorated with figures and are believed to be linked to a hallucinogenic mushroom cult.
The Tepantitla mural in Teotihuacan, dating to 500 CE, shows the Toltec rain god Tlaloc with mushroom-bearing figures. Ancient Mayan Codices also depict scenes of human sacrifice with the inclusion of mushrooms. The Maya also used other entheogens, such as the skin of the Cane toad, Rhinella marina, which contains bufotoxins that can induce a psychedelic state.
The Mixtec civilisation also used hallucinogenic substances, including the seeds of Ipomoea corymbosa and I. violacea, which were ground into a powder and added to a cacao beverage, along with psychedelic mushrooms.
The Aztec civilisation, like the Maya, consumed teonanàcatl, and other substances such as peyote and ololiuhqui seeds, which contain mescaline, psilocybin, and lysergic acid amide.
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The colonial expropriation of mushrooms from Indigenous communities and the resulting ethical issues
The use of mushrooms for ritual and therapeutic purposes has a long history in Indigenous communities. Archaeological evidence and historical sources indicate that Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec civilizations used sacred mushrooms, with knowledge about their usage deeply rooted in ancient Mesoamerican tradition.
In the 1900s, María Sabina, a Mazatec sage, shared her knowledge of sacred mushrooms with Robert Gordon Wasson, a banker who later became vice president of J.P. Morgan. This encounter marked a critical moment in the study and understanding of sacred mushrooms. Wasson gained worldwide recognition for "discovering" the sacred mushroom, while Sabina lived with the stigma of "revealing" their secrets to an outsider, facing anger and violence from her community.
The power asymmetry between Wasson and Sabina reflects the broader dynamic of colonial expropriation, where knowledge, resources, and cultural practices are taken from Indigenous communities without recognition or compensation. This has resulted in ongoing ethical issues, with Osiris García Cerqueda, a Mazatec researcher, proposing the need for "historical reparations" for the expropriation of mushrooms from Indigenous communities.
The belief that sacred mushroom rituals disappeared with colonization was inaccurate, and recognizing the "colonial traces" in the psychedelic renaissance is essential to address these persistent ethical issues. Additionally, the historical use of mushrooms in ketchup, a savory sauce originating in China over 2000 years ago, further highlights the diverse cultural significance of mushrooms.
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The role of mycelium in the decomposition of plant material and the creation of compost
Mycelium is a network of thin strands of fungi that fuse together within organic substrates. It is a vital component of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as it plays a crucial role in the decomposition of plant material and the creation of compost.
In nature, mycelium contributes to the organic fraction of soil. It breaks down complex organic matter, such as lignin, into simpler compounds, thereby enhancing the nutrient profile of the soil. This process releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, contributing to the carbon cycle. Mycelium also increases the efficiency of water and nutrient absorption in plants and protects them from certain pathogens. Furthermore, it serves as a food source for many soil invertebrates.
When creating compost, mycelium is introduced to the compost pile, where it proliferates and enhances the decomposition process. This co-composting with mycelium accelerates the breakdown of organic waste, making nutrients more accessible to plants. The enzymes produced by mycelium play a pivotal role in this process, especially in the decomposition of tough plant fibers. Mycelium also contributes to nutrient cycling by reintroducing beneficial microbes into the soil and enhancing the nutrient profile of the compost.
Mycelium's adhesive properties are due to its ability to secrete corrosive enzymes that allow it to degrade and colonize organic substrates. This unique self-assembly property enables mycelium to grow on a diverse range of organic materials, including agricultural and garden waste. Through efficient decomposition and biomass production, mycelium composting reduces landfill waste and contributes to carbon sequestration, aiding in climate change mitigation.
In summary, mycelium is essential for the decomposition of plant material and the creation of compost. It breaks down complex organic compounds, enhances nutrient availability, fosters beneficial symbiotic relationships, and contributes to soil restoration and biodiversity. By promoting the recycling of organic waste, mycelium composting offers environmental benefits and supports the health and productivity of ecosystems.
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The world's largest known organism is a fungus, specifically a mushroom
Mushrooms are colonial organisms, and they are part of a group of organisms called fungi. Fungi are essential for converting biomass into compost, decomposing feedstock components such as lignin, which many other composting microorganisms cannot. They also play a vital role in the decomposition of plant material, contributing to the organic fraction of soil.
Fungi have the potential to eradicate pollutants from their environment, such as petroleum products and some pesticides, through a process called mycoremediation. This involves the use of fungal mycelium, termed mycofiltration, to remove chemicals and microorganisms from soil and water. The mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus that looks like a web of thin threads and is responsible for the fungus's adhesive properties.
The Armillaria ostoyae fungus is found in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon and is believed to be a single genetic individual. It spreads through its underground root system, or mycelium, breaking down organic matter like dead trees and plant material to get the nutrients it needs to grow. This process of decomposition allows it to support the entire forest community by returning valuable nutrients to the soil. The fungus produces honey mushrooms, which release spores into the air, aiding in further spreading and reaching new areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are colonial in the sense that they grow in colonies, with the underlying mycelium being long-lived and massive. The largest organism on Earth is a fungus in eastern Oregon, occupying 2,384 acres of soil.
Armillaria solidipes, or honey mushrooms, are an example of colonial mushrooms. They occupy 2,200 acres of soil in Oregon's Blue Mountains and are believed to be around 2,400 years old.
Mushrooms are essential for converting biomass into compost, decomposing feedstock components such as lignin, which many other composting microorganisms cannot. They also contribute to the organic fraction of soil and are a vital food source for many soil invertebrates.
