Michael Davis
The idea of mushrooms as undead creatures has been explored in various forms of media, including video games and tabletop role-playing games. In these contexts, mushrooms are often portrayed as having parasitic or controlling effects on other creatures, leading to discussions about whether a creature controlled by mushrooms should be considered undead. Additionally, the discovery of fungi like Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as the zombie-ant fungus, has further fueled interest in the concept of undead mushrooms. This fungus infects ants, altering their behavior and causing them to act erratically, highlighting the potential for mushrooms to exhibit undead-like characteristics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are mushrooms undead? | In fiction, there are instances of mushrooms being classified as undead. For example, in the video game Cult of the Lamb, a character is implied to be under the influence of a parasitic zombie-ant fungus, which causes him to act erratically. In the game Harvestella, there is a "Zombie Mushroom" that is used to fortify weapons and must be handled with care due to its poisonous attributes. In role-playing games like D&D, mushroom zombies or undead mushrooms are also mentioned. |
| Types of fungi associated with the undead | Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus that alters the behavioral patterns of infected ants, causing them to leave their nests and attach themselves to leaves, creating suitable conditions for fungal growth. |
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What You'll Learn
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or zombie-ant fungus
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as the zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus. It was discovered by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859. Zombie ants, infected by the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus, are predominantly found in tropical rainforests. These fungi thrive in warm, humid environments, which are ideal for their growth and reproduction. However, they can also be found in warm-temperate forest systems.
The fungus primarily targets ants from the tribe Camponotini, including carpenter ants (genus Camponotus). O. unilateralis infects ants of the tribe Camponotini, with the full pathogenesis being characterized by alteration of the behavioural patterns of the infected ant. Infected hosts leave their canopy nests and foraging trails for the forest floor, an area with a temperature and humidity suitable for fungal growth; they then use their mandibles to attach themselves to a major vein on the underside of a leaf, where the host remains.
The O. unilateralis spores attach to the ants' exoskeletons and eventually break through using mechanical pressure and enzymes. The yeast stages of the fungus spread in the ant's body and produce compounds that affect the ant's hemocoel, using the evolutionary trait of an extended phenotype to manipulate the behavioural patterns exhibited by the ant. An infected ant exhibits irregularly timed full-body convulsions that dislodge it from its canopy nest to the forest floor. The changes in the behaviour of the infected ants are very specific, giving rise to the popular term "zombie ants".
O. unilateralis has evolved to parasitize ants for 45 million years, and in all that time, not only has the fungus never made a jump to infect mammals, but most species don’t seem to be able to jump even to other species of ants. For example, the O. unilateralis species Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani only affects the behaviour of the Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus) and Ophiocordyceps kimflemingiae only affects red hazelnut carpenter ants (Camponotus castaneus).
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis and related species are known to engage in an active secondary metabolism for, among other reasons, the production of substances active as antibacterial agents that protect the fungus-host ecosystem against further pathogenesis during fungal reproduction. Because of this secondary metabolism, an interest in the species has been taken by natural products chemists, with corresponding discovery of small molecule agents (e.g. of the polyketide family) of potential interest for use as human immunomodulatory, anti-infective, and anticancer agents.
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Mushroom zombies in Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game that allows for a lot of creativity and customization. One idea that has been explored by players and enthusiasts is the concept of "mushroom zombies" or undead creatures controlled or influenced by mushrooms or fungal infections.
While the official D&D rules and lore do not specifically mention mushroom zombies, the game's flexible nature allows for creative interpretations and homebrew content. Some players have suggested that a "mushroom-animated-corpse" could be considered undead, as it fits the general description of being technically dead yet animate. This interpretation leaves room for interesting twists, such as revealing that the mushrooms can animate not just corpses but also inanimate objects like piles of rocks or abandoned tools.
The concept of mushroom zombies draws inspiration from real-world fungi like Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as the "zombie-ant fungus." This fungus infects ants, altering their behavior and causing them to leave their nests and attach themselves to leaves, providing an ideal environment for the fungus to grow and reproduce. Similar to the mechanics suggested for D&D, the infected ants exhibit increased aggression and altered behavior, becoming akin to "zombies."
In the context of D&D, players and dungeon masters (DMs) can incorporate mushroom zombies in various ways. One suggestion is to describe enemies covered in mushroom-like growths that spray toxic spores at their targets, creating memorable encounters. Players can also incorporate the Yellow Musk Creeper, a plant in the D&D universe that creates Yellow Musk Zombies, building up tension by having their characters encounter progressively more infected creatures before facing the source of the infection. Additionally, players can explore the Myconids, the mushroom people of D&D, who cultivate the Yellow Musk Creeper and possess various spores with different effects.
The flexibility of D&D allows players and DMs to customize their campaigns and encounters. Some players have suggested using zombies as walking spore farms, covering the ground with mushrooms to create unique challenges and missions. Others have proposed creating war mages who use different types of mushrooms as spell equivalents, surprising and challenging their adventuring groups. The possibilities are endless, and players are encouraged to draw inspiration from various sources, including real-world myths, legends, and video games, to craft their unique interpretations of mushroom zombies in the D&D universe.
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Using zombies to grow mushrooms
While mushrooms are not undead, there is a precedent for the idea of 'zombie mushrooms' in popular culture. The video game Cult of the Lamb features a character with a mushroom growing out of his head, causing erratic behaviour. This is similar to the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or 'zombie-ant fungus', which infects ants, altering their behaviour and causing them to act like zombies.
In role-playing games like D&D, there is creative freedom to classify monsters however you like. For example, you could have a magical mushroom entity that takes over an old abandoned mine, controlling dead bodies and making them act as undead.
Using the idea of zombies to grow mushrooms within a game setting, you could have a scenario where mushrooms are implanted into zombies and, after 24 hours, the mushrooms visibly cover the zombie. When an infected zombie damages a living creature, it must make a CON save or suffer the effects of the mushroom type for one minute. If the zombie takes elemental damage, the mushrooms will emit spores and infect all living creatures in a 5-foot radius on a failed CON save. Fire, thunder, and lightning will cause the mushrooms to launch spores, while acid, cold, force, and radiant elements will destroy the mushrooms.
You could also use zombies as walking spore farms, covering the ground with various species of mushrooms, creating a minefield-like effect. Additionally, certain plant monsters could have more potent mushrooms growing on them, which could be weaponized, used in potions, rare cooking ingredients, or even addictive narcotics.
However, it is important to note that most mushrooms are poisonous, so caution should be exercised when implementing these ideas.
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Mushroom-controlled undead bodies
The idea of mushrooms controlling undead bodies is not just the stuff of video games and fantasy fiction. A fungus known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus that infects ants, predominantly in tropical rainforests. The fungus alters the behaviour of its host, causing it to leave its nest and attach itself to the underside of a leaf, where the fungus then grows and reproduces. This fungus has been described as a complex of species, each of which can only infect and manipulate one host ant species.
In fantasy role-playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons, the idea of mushroom-controlled undead bodies is a popular theme. Players and game masters alike enjoy the creative challenges presented by the concept of mushroom zombies or spore-controlled thralls. In these games, the players might encounter a dungeon or abandoned mine where a mushroom-like entity has taken over and is controlling undead bodies.
The idea of using zombies to grow mushrooms has also been discussed, with references to Haitian legends of zombies being used as mindless slaves to work the fields. In this context, the zombies themselves are not controlled by mushrooms but are rather used as mobile spore farms, spreading mushrooms as they move.
In terms of classifying these mushroom-controlled entities, there is some debate. In the context of role-playing games, there are no strict rules for how to classify homebrew monsters, so a mushroom-animated corpse could be considered undead, especially if it exhibits animate behaviour.
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Zombie Mushrooms in MapleStory and Harvestella
The concept of "zombie mushrooms" evokes ideas of undead creatures, and this theme is explored in various forms of media, including video games such as MapleStory and Harvestella.
In MapleStory, there is mention of a “Zombie Mushroom” entity, though specific details about its role or characteristics within the game are scarce. On the other hand, Harvestella features a "Zombie Mushroom" as a type of Smithy Material used to fortify weapons. This mushroom is described as poisonous and must be handled with care.
The concept of zombie mushrooms is not unique to these games, and it draws parallels with the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus, commonly known as the zombie-ant fungus. This fungus infects ants, primarily those from the Camponotini tribe, altering their behaviour. Infected ants leave their nests and attach themselves to the underside of leaves, providing an environment suitable for fungal growth.
The idea of mushroom-controlled entities is also explored in role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). In these settings, mushroom zombies are considered undead, with players encountering corpses controlled by magical mushroom entities. The mushrooms can also animate other objects like piles of rocks or abandoned pickaxes, blurring the lines between undead and inanimate objects.
While the specifics vary, the common thread between these examples is the association of mushrooms with undead or zombie-like entities, leveraging the intriguing and eerie nature of parasitic fungi and their real-world counterparts.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the context. In popular culture, especially in video games and role-playing games, there are references to "zombie mushrooms" or "mushroom zombies", which are considered undead. For example, in the video game Cult of the Lamb, a character is implied to be under the influence of a parasitic zombie-ant fungus, which causes a mushroom to grow out of his head. In the MapleStory video game, there is also a monster type called "Zombie Mushroom" which is classified as undead. However, in a biological context, mushrooms are not undead as they are a type of fungus that grows and reproduces.
Zombie mushrooms refer to mushrooms that control or influence undead creatures like zombies. In role-playing games, players may encounter mushroom-like entities in dungeons that have taken over abandoned mines, creating "mushroom zombies".
Yes, there is a fungus called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as the zombie-ant fungus. This fungus infects ants, causing them to act erratically and leave their nests. The infected ants are controlled by the fungus, which manipulates their behaviour to facilitate its growth and reproduction.
No, only certain types of mushrooms or fungi, such as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, have been observed to exhibit this behaviour. Most mushrooms are simply a type of fungus that grows on various surfaces, including vegetable matter, and are not associated with controlling or influencing creatures.
In the context of fantasy or role-playing games, mushrooms can be classified as monsters or enemies that players encounter and battle. For example, in the game Harvestella, there is a type of poisonous mushroom called a "Zombie Mushroom" that is used to fortify weapons. However, in the real world, mushrooms are not typically classified as monsters as they lack the characteristics typically associated with monsters, such as sentience or malicious intent.
