Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are fungi that sprout in damp, unforgiving places, taking on various shapes and colours. One of their most fascinating qualities is bioluminescence. Over 70 species of fungi can glow in the dark, producing light through a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, the enzyme luciferase, and oxygen—the same process that gives fireflies their glow. This light may be used to attract insects that help spread their spores, or to deter animals from eating them. Some notable bioluminescent mushrooms include Panellus stipticus, Panellus pusillus, Armillaria mellea, and Neonothopanus gardneri.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of known bioluminescent mushrooms | 120 |
| Number of known bioluminescent mushroom species | 70+ |
| Mechanism of bioluminescence | Chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen |
| Purpose of bioluminescence | To attract insects to help spread spores |
| Mushroom that glows strongly at the bottom of coconut palms in Brazil | Neonothopanus gardneri |
| Circadian rhythm | 22-hour cycle that corrects to 24 hours based on temperature |
| Mushroom with a wide, flat cap | Armillaria gallica |
| Most widely distributed luminescent fungi | Armillaria mellea |
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What You'll Learn
Why mushrooms glow: to attract insects to spread spores
Mushrooms have fascinated humans for thousands of years, with Aristotle documenting glowing rotten wood (now known to be caused by bioluminescent mycelium) in his writings. Today, out of the approximately 100,000 documented fungal species, only around 75 are known to exhibit this luminescence.
These bioluminescent mushrooms emit a pale green light, which attracts insects. The insects are drawn to the light, mistaking the fungi as potential mates. In their search, they inadvertently fulfil the reproductive needs of another species: the glowing fungi! Fungi are unable to move, so they rely on the wind, or animals such as insects, to transport their spores to new areas of the forest.
To test this theory, researchers from Brazil and the US placed plastic mushrooms lit from within by a green LED light at the same wavelength as the glowing of the mushrooms. Beetles swarmed the fake glowing mushrooms, confirming that the glow-in-the-dark mushrooms are investing their energy wisely.
The glowing mushrooms were also observed to be infested by rove beetles, but researchers noted that the beetles may have been attracted by smells or something else, not necessarily the glowing. However, camera observations showed that the glowing fruit bodies of the Neonothopanus gardneri, a particularly intense emitter found at the base of coconut palms in Brazil, did indeed become infested by rove beetles.
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Glowing mushrooms only appear at night
More than 70 species of mushrooms are known to glow in the dark, a phenomenon called bioluminescence. This light is produced by a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. This is the same chemical reaction that causes fireflies to light up.
Glowing in the dark costs mushrooms a lot of energy, so they only glow at night when it is most effective. This is because mushrooms follow a 22-hour cycle that corrects to a 24-hour cycle based on temperature. The mushrooms don't glow bright enough during the day to be visible. At night, the glow is more noticeable, and insects are attracted to it. The insects then help transport the mushroom's spores.
There are two main theories as to why mushrooms produce light. The first theory is that the light attracts insects that help spread spores. The second theory is that the light is an accidental byproduct of metabolism and has no benefits for the fungi.
Some notable glowing mushrooms include Panellus stipticus, which is one of the brightest-glowing mushrooms on Earth. At night, it transforms from a dull yellow-beige to a dazzling bright light. Panellus pusillus also glows at night and looks like viridescent string lights wrapped around tree branches. Armillaria mellea is the most widely distributed of the luminescent fungi and can be found across Asia, Europe, North America, and South Africa.
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Glowing mushrooms are bioluminescent
Bioluminescent mushrooms, like fireflies, emit light through a chemical reaction involving luciferins (light-emitting molecules), luciferases (enzymes), water, and oxygen. This process is energetically costly, so mushrooms typically glow more intensely at night when their light is more visible and effective in attracting insects. The light produced by these mushrooms can range from pale green to bright orange.
The purpose of bioluminescence in mushrooms has been a subject of speculation for centuries. One theory suggests that the light attracts insects, aiding in spore dispersal. This hypothesis has been supported by experiments using fake glowing mushrooms that attracted insects. Another theory proposes that the light could be a byproduct of metabolism, providing antioxidant protection during wood decay.
The intensity and timing of mushroom bioluminescence vary across species. Some mushrooms, like the jack o' lantern (Omphalotus illudens), only glow at night, while others exhibit constant bioluminescence if water, oxygen, and metabolic conditions are favourable. The location of the luminescence also differs, with some species having glowing caps, stems, gills, or mycelium (the thread-like "body" of the fungus).
The Armillaria genus, including Armillaria mellea and Armillaria gallica, is known for its bioluminescent members. Panellus stipticus, a member of the Panellus genus, is one of the brightest-glowing mushrooms, transforming from dull yellow-beige during the day to a dazzling display at night. These glowing mushrooms can be found across the globe, offering a wondrous sight for those lucky enough to encounter them in the dark forests.
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Glowing mushrooms are found in tropical and temperate climates
More than 70 species of mushrooms are known to emit a radiant glow in the dark, transforming these otherwise plain organisms into a wondrous sight. This phenomenon, called bioluminescence, is the result of a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen—the same mechanism that gives fireflies their glow.
Glowing mushrooms have been observed in both tropical and temperate climates. They are members of the order Agaricales (Basidiomycota), with one possible exception belonging to the order Xylariales. All known bioluminescent Agaricales are mushroom-forming, white-spored agarics that belong to four distinct evolutionary lineages. The Omphalotus lineage comprises the genera Omphalotus and Neonothopanus and contains 12 species. The Armillaria lineage, which includes the well-known honey mushroom, has 10 known species, while the Mycenoid lineage boasts more than 50 species. The recently discovered Lucentipes lineage contains two species, Mycena lucentipes and Gerronema viridilucens, which belong to an unnamed family.
Armillaria mellea, also known as the honey fungus, is the most widely distributed luminescent fungus, found across Asia, Europe, North America, and South Africa. Other bioluminescent mushrooms, such as Panellus pusillus and Panellus stipticus, have a more limited range but can still be found on multiple continents. Panellus stipticus, for example, is found in certain parts of North America, while Panellus pusillus is found from North America to Asia.
The purpose of mushroom bioluminescence is still a subject of scientific inquiry. One theory suggests that the light attracts insects and other arthropods that can help disperse spores. In support of this idea, researchers from Brazil and the US observed that plastic mushrooms with green LED lights attracted a variety of insects. Another theory posits that the light may deter animals from eating the mushrooms. Additionally, it has been suggested that bioluminescence could provide antioxidant protection against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species produced during wood decay.
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Glowing mushrooms are white rot fungi
More than 70 species of mushrooms are known to emit a radiant glow in the dark. This phenomenon, known as bioluminescence, is the result of a chemical reaction involving oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. This is similar to the process that gives fireflies their glow. While fireflies use their light to attract mates, mushrooms have a different purpose for their glow.
The light emitted by these fungi serves multiple purposes. One theory suggests that the light attracts insects and other arthropods, which then help disperse the fungal spores to new locations. This is particularly advantageous for fungi growing in areas with less windflow, such as at the bottom of coconut palms in Brazil, where the Neonothopanus gardneri species is found. By emitting light, the fungi can ensure their spores are spread more effectively.
Another hypothesis posits that the glowing mycelium, or the thread-like "body" of the fungus, may attract the predators of arthropods that feed on unprotected hyphae. This protective mechanism could be a way for the fungi to defend themselves against potential threats. Additionally, the intensity of the glow may play a role in attracting more insects, as brighter light could be more appealing or noticeable to potential carriers of spores.
While the exact benefits of light synthesis for white rot fungi are still being studied, it is clear that the bioluminescence of these glowing mushrooms serves a significant purpose in their survival and propagation. These radiant fungi transform the dark and mysterious depths of forests into captivating displays of nature's wonders.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 125 known species of bioluminescent mushrooms, largely found in temperate and tropical climates.
Bioluminescence is caused by a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen.
There are two main theories as to why mushrooms glow in the dark. The first theory is that the light attracts insects, which then spread the spores of the mushroom. The second theory is that the light is an accidental byproduct of metabolism.
Glowing mushrooms are found largely in temperate and tropical climates. They are often found in forests, particularly in dark and dank conditions.
The light emitted by bioluminescent mushrooms is typically described as a pale green or cold light.
