Laura Smith
Mushrooms are having a moment. The global psychedelic and hallucinogenic medicines market, including psilocybin, is expected to grow to over $13 billion before 2031. Celebrities are increasingly candid about their use of psychedelic medicines and mushrooms. But what does a mushroom say? Well, according to one source, mushrooms communicate with each other using up to 50 'words'. Another source offers a list of mushroom puns, including: You're im-spore-tant to me, I have so mushroom in my heart for you, and That's a shi'talkin mushroom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Mushroom" is used to identify edible sporophores; "toadstool" is reserved for inedible or poisonous sporophores. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two names. |
| Structure | Mushrooms are fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They usually have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. |
| Spores | Mushrooms produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread. The gills produce these spores, which fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. |
| Classification | Mushrooms are classified based on their macroscopic structure, microscopic examination, and modern molecular methods. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). |
| Uses | Edible mushrooms are used in cuisine and have nutritional benefits. Medicinal properties are also being explored. Inedible mushrooms can be used for vegan leather, skincare, and as an alternative source of electricity. |
| Species | There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America, with a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors. |
| Health Risks | Some mushrooms are poisonous and pose a great risk of harm if consumed or touched. "Shrooms" or "magic mushrooms" contain hallucinogenic drugs and are mostly illegal in the US. |
| Composition | Mushrooms are composed of fine threads or roots called hyphae, which form the main body of the fungus, called the mycelium. |
| Nutrition | Mushrooms are heterotrophs, deriving nutrients from their surroundings, including animal waste, plant matter, and organic carbon. |
| Kingdom | Mushrooms are part of the kingdom Fungi, which includes mold, yeasts, smuts, and rusts. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms as medicine
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for thousands of years. The Greek physician Hippocrates, circa 450 BCE, classified the amadou mushroom as an anti-inflammatory and used it for cauterizing wounds. Ötzi, the Ice Man, who lived nearly 5300 years ago, carried amadou and birch polypore to help him survive in the Alps of northern Italy. The First Peoples of North America used puffball mushrooms as wound healers.
The medicinal properties of mushrooms are likely due to their relationship with microbes. Mushrooms produce chemicals to flourish in the wild, and these chemicals are also active in humans. Many of the molecules produced by mushrooms are different from those produced by plants and animals, giving them unique medicinal properties.
In modern times, mushrooms have been cultivated for their medicinal purposes. Using solvents other than water has unveiled new active constituents. Some extracts, such as polysaccharide-K, schizophyllan, polysaccharide peptide, or lentinan, are government-registered adjuvant cancer therapies in some countries, although clinical evidence for their efficacy and safety in humans is lacking.
Edible mushrooms are also a source of nutrition. They are free of cholesterol and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins. By fresh weight, the common commercially grown mushroom is more than 90% water, less than 3% protein, less than 5% carbohydrate, less than 1% fat, and about 1% mineral salts and vitamins.
Inedible mushrooms also have their uses. They can be turned into vegan leather, added to skincare products, and have even been tested as an alternate source of electricity.
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Mushrooms as dyes
Mushrooms have been used as dyes for centuries, with some sources tracing the tradition back to the 15th century. The practice involves extracting colours from fungi and using them to dye various materials, such as wool, silk, and linen. The use of mushrooms as a natural dye offers a wide range of colours, from yellow to green to orange and brown, depending on the type of mushroom and the material being dyed.
One popular mushroom for dyeing is the Dyer's Polypore (Phaeolus schweinitzii), which is known for producing a beautiful range of colours, including yellow, green, orange, and brown. Other mushrooms, such as the Shingled Hedgehog mushroom, are used in Norway to create blue-green pigments for dyeing wool. The Hydnellum peckii mushroom can produce a beige colour or shades of blue and green when different mordants are added.
The process of dyeing with mushrooms typically involves simmering the mushrooms in water to extract the dye and then placing the fibre or fabric into the dye bath. The ratio of mushrooms to fibre is important, and it is recommended to have at least an equal weight of mushrooms to fibre. The age and maturity of the mushrooms also impact the dye, with older mushrooms often being preferred.
To modify the colour of the dye, the pH of the dye bath can be adjusted using solvents or mineral salts. This allows for a range of colours to be achieved, from peachy orange to rosier shades. The type of mordant used can also affect the final colour, and mordanting the fabric helps to fix the colour into the fibre more effectively.
The art of mushroom dyeing has been explored and taught by experts such as Alissa Allen of Mycopigments, who focuses on ethical harvesting practices and forging connections between individuals and their natural environments. Mushroom dyeing offers a unique and creative way to explore the chromatic universe of fungi and has gained popularity among those seeking natural and eco-friendly dyeing alternatives.
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Mushrooms as food
Mushrooms have been consumed and used as medicine for thousands of years. They are considered an under-appreciated food, but are popular for their culinary versatility and ability to create savoury rich flavours.
Mushrooms are fungi, and not plants, though some would argue that anything that grows organically could be considered a plant. Mushrooms are typically found near plants and may use them for stability as they grow. They are usually recognised by their umbrella-like shape, though they come in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, though the term is used to describe a variety of other gilled fungi.
Mushrooms are low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium, and are cholesterol-free. They are a good source of protein, selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, and fibre. They also contain polysaccharides, which act as a prebiotic, or food for beneficial gut bacteria.
Some mushrooms are poisonous and can be deadly if consumed. Wild mushrooms must be correctly identified before being eaten. Even normally edible species can be dangerous if they grow in polluted locations, as they can absorb chemicals and accumulate pollutants and heavy metals, including arsenic and iron, sometimes in lethal concentrations.
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Mushrooms as communicators
Mushrooms, the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, have long been regarded as silent and solitary organisms. However, recent scientific research has revealed a surprising communicative aspect to these fungi, suggesting that mushrooms may be sophisticated talkers in their own right.
Prof Andrew Adamatzky from the University of the West of England's unconventional computing laboratory in Bristol led a groundbreaking study on mushroom communication. By analysing the electrical spikes generated by four species of fungi, Prof Adamatzky discovered patterns that resembled human speech. These electrical impulses, transmitted through long, underground structures called hyphae, could indicate that mushrooms use an "electrical language" to converse and share information.
The study identified up to 50 "words" in the mushrooms' vocabulary, with the split gill fungi exhibiting the most complex electrical activity. This discovery challenges the notion that mushrooms are solitary and opens up a new perspective on their social behaviour.
While some scientists remain cautious and await further evidence, the implications of this research are intriguing. It suggests that mushrooms may have a sophisticated way of communicating with each other and their environment, possibly sharing information about food sources or potential dangers. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of mushroom communication, we may find even more parallels between these fungi and human language capabilities.
In conclusion, mushrooms may have more to "say" than we initially thought. Their electrical impulses and complex networks of communication challenge our understanding of their silent nature. As further research sheds light on this fascinating aspect of mushroom behaviour, we may need to rethink how we perceive and interact with these communicative fungi.
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Mushrooms as jokes
Mushrooms are not only delicious and nutritious but also a great source of humour. Here are some jokes and puns that will make you the most fun-gi at the party:
How does a mushroom clean his house? With a mush-broom! Why is it impossible to have a balanced conversation with a lady mushroom? Because she shiitakes too much! Where do baby mushrooms grow before they are born? In the mushwomb! Why did the mushroom get a promotion? Because he’s always a cap-tain of industry. Why did the mushroom get in a fight with the tree? Because he had a real spore-ious accusation! Why did the athletic mushroom adopt a dog to run with? Because he wanted a spore-t companion! Why did the mushroom go to the doctor? Because he had a spore back! What do you call a mushroom who’s always gossiping? A real spore-t-teller! Why is it a bad idea to eat too many mushrooms for dinner? Because you won’t have mushroom left for dessert. What do you call a mushroom who buys everyone drinks? A fungi to be around! What did the shiitake say to the portabella? You’re im-spore-tant to me. What’s a mushroom’s favourite Disney movie? Chanterelle-a. Why did the mushroom get picked on at school? Because he’s a little spore-loser! What do you call a mushroom that has nothing nice to say? A shi’talkin mushroom. Why did the mushroom bring an umbrella? In case of spore-ty weather! What did the two mushrooms do when they had a disagreement? They decided to spore-t it out! Why couldn’t the mushroom get into the club? He wasn’t mould enough. How do mushrooms work from home? They host meetings on Zhroom. What are mama mushrooms sing to their babies? “Mush little baby, don’t say a word…”. My friend asked me how I make mushroom soup and I told him, “You just put a little spore into it”.
And if you ever need a little more time, just say "Amanita minute"! Mushrooms are so versatile that they can even help you buy some time. Now that's what you call mushroom magic!
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are low in sodium and can help lower blood pressure. They are also a source of vitamin D and can help lower the risk of cancer.
Magic mushrooms, also known as 'shrooms', are hallucinogenic when eaten. They can cause mild hallucinations or strong hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. The effects depend on the user's mood, personality, and expectations.
Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic drug. They are often eaten raw, made into tea, or extracted as a liquid. The strength varies depending on their freshness, where they were grown, and the season.
No, some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause mild gastrointestinal issues, slight allergic reactions, or even death. It is important to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them.
