John Miller
Mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungi whose main body is well hidden in the soil or among leaves and rotting wood. They come in a variety of colours, including red, purple, blue, green, yellow, black, and white. The colours of mushrooms are determined by the many different pigments they contain. Some mushrooms with unpalatable or toxic compounds are distinctively coloured, perhaps serving as a warning to potential predators. In some cases, pigments can also affect taste, helping mushrooms to survive longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of colours | To attract spore dispersers |
| Example of a bright-coloured mushroom | Stinkhorns |
| Reason for colour variation | Some mushrooms with unpalatable or toxic compounds are distinctively coloured, perhaps to serve as a warning to potential predators |
| Pigments | Birnbaumin, betalains, sclerocitrin, chalcitrin, betaxanthins, betacyanins, polyene laetiporic acid A, polyene laetiporic acid B, polyene laetiporic acid C, leaianafulvene, carotenoids |
| Colours | Red, orange, yellow, white, purple, blue, green, black |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms have colour to avoid being eaten
Mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungi, whose main body is well hidden in the soil or among leaves and rotting wood. They come in a variety of colours, including red, purple, blue, green, yellow, black, and white. While some mushrooms are brightly coloured to attract spore dispersers, others have distinct colours to serve as a warning to potential predators.
The pigments that give mushrooms their colour can affect their taste, which could help them avoid being eaten and increase their chances of survival. For example, the bitter taste of Hydnellum peckii, which grows in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea, may detract from its appeal despite being safe to eat. Clavaria zollingeri, a coral or clavarioid fungus that grows in eastern North America, has a mildly radish-like taste.
Some mushrooms with unpalatable or toxic compounds have distinctive colours, such as the poisonous Amanita muscaria, which may serve as a warning to potential predators. The bright red colour of the fly agaric or fly amanita, for instance, comes from a complex combination of pigments, including betaxanthins and betacyanins. The red form is found mostly in the western and deep southern regions of North America, while the orange form is more common in the Midwest and east, and the yellow form is mostly found in the east.
In addition to affecting taste, pigments in mushrooms may also serve as a natural sunblock or help protect them from bacterial invaders. For instance, the yellow colour of "plantpot dapperlings" or yellow parasols comes from the pigments birnbaumin, sclerocitrin, and chalcitrin. The orange hues of Chicken of the Woods are created by the pigment polyene laetiporic acid A, as well as smaller amounts of polyene laetiporic acid B and C.
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Bright colours attract spore dispersers
Mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungi, whose primary role is to disperse spores. Some mushrooms are brightly coloured to attract spore dispersers, analogous to brightly coloured fruits that attract seed dispersers. Flies, for example, are attracted to the bright red colour of stinkhorns, which are oddly shaped like starfish, phalluses, or Wiffle balls. The flies eat the slimy, nutritious spore mass, fly off, and defecate in a new location, where the spores then germinate in a nitrogen-rich substrate.
The pigments that give mushrooms their bright colours can also affect their taste and protect them from being eaten. For example, the bitter taste of Hydnellum peckii, which grows in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea, may detract from its appeal despite being safe to eat. Pigments can also act as a natural sunblock for mushrooms or help protect them from bacterial invaders.
Some mushrooms with unpalatable or toxic compounds are distinctively coloured, perhaps serving as a warning to potential predators. For example, the bright red colour of the fly agaric or fly amanita mushroom, which is placed in milk to attract and intoxicate flies, may serve as a warning to other potential consumers. The Amanita muscaria, a poisonous mushroom, also stands out with its bright colours.
The diversity of mushroom colours is not limited to reds but also includes oranges, yellows, whites, purples, blues, greens, blacks, and various shades in between. The Scarlet Cup or Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea), for instance, is a brilliant red that fades to orange as the mushroom ages. On the other hand, the Violet Coral or Magenta Coral (Clavaria zollingeri) presents small purple "antlers" that are actually tubes growing up to 4 inches tall.
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Pigments may act as a natural sunblock
Mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungi whose main body is well hidden in the soil or among leaves and rotting wood. They come in a variety of colours, including red, purple, blue, green, yellow, black, and white. While the exact reasons for their vibrant colours are not fully understood, one theory suggests that pigments may act as a natural sunblock for mushrooms.
Mushrooms contain a variety of pigments, including betaxanthins, betacyanins, betalains, sclerocitrin, chalcitrin, polyene laetiporic acid A, B, and C, leaianafulvene, and carotenoids. These pigments are responsible for the different colours found in mushrooms, ranging from red to orange to yellow. While the primary role of pigments in plants is to aid in photosynthesis, mushrooms do not rely on pigments for this process.
Instead, it is hypothesized that the pigments in mushrooms may serve as a form of protection from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can be harmful to mushrooms, damaging their cellular structure and inhibiting their growth. By producing pigments, mushrooms may be able to absorb or reflect UV rays, reducing the amount of radiation that reaches their cells. This protective mechanism could be especially important for mushrooms that grow in sunny or exposed environments, where they are more susceptible to sun damage.
Additionally, pigments may also help protect mushrooms from bacterial invaders. Certain pigments could have antimicrobial properties, creating a chemical barrier against harmful bacteria or fungi that could cause disease or decay. This protective function of pigments may be particularly important for mushrooms growing in damp or nutrient-rich environments, where bacterial growth is more prevalent.
While the hypothesis of pigments acting as a natural sunblock is plausible, further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between mushroom physiology and their environment. The study of mushroom pigments and their potential functions adds to our understanding of the fascinating adaptations and diversity within the fungal kingdom.
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Some colours warn potential predators of toxic compounds
Mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungi, and they come in a variety of colours, including red, purple, blue, green, yellow, black, and white. While the primary role of a mushroom is to disperse its spores, some mushrooms with unpalatable or toxic compounds are distinctively coloured, perhaps serving as a warning to potential predators. This is known as aposematism, where natural selection favours individuals with colours that deter predators or parasites.
The red fly agaric or fly amanita mushroom, for example, is known to attract flies in some regions, causing them to become inebriated, fly into walls, and perish. The bright red colour of this mushroom may thus serve as a warning to potential predators, indicating the presence of toxic compounds. Similarly, the scarlet cup or scarlet elf cup, shaped like a cup with a brilliant red interior, is listed as a threatened species in Europe. While it grows on every continent except Antarctica, its distinct colour may serve as a warning to potential predators, as it is known to be poisonous.
The violet coral or magenta coral, found in eastern North America, is another example of a brightly coloured mushroom. This mushroom, resembling a group of small purple antlers, may also use its distinct colour as a warning to potential predators, indicating the presence of toxic compounds. The amethyst deceiver, a small and cute mushroom usually only 2 to 6 centimetres across, grows in woodlands among leaves or in bare or mossy soil. While it is not known to be toxic, its distinct colour may still serve as a warning to potential predators, deterring them from consuming it.
In addition to serving as warnings, pigments in mushrooms can also affect taste, providing protection from being eaten and allowing the mushrooms to survive longer. Pigments may also serve as a natural sunblock for mushrooms or help protect them from bacterial invaders. Thus, while the distinctive colours of some mushrooms may primarily serve as warnings to potential predators, indicating the presence of toxic compounds, pigments also provide various other benefits to mushrooms.
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Betalains are responsible for shades of yellow and red
Mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungi, and they come in a variety of colours. The colours of mushrooms are due to the presence of different pigments. One such pigment is betalain, which is responsible for the shades of yellow and red in mushrooms.
Betalains are water-soluble pigments found in the vacuoles of plants of the order Caryophyllales and some higher-order fungi. They are most noticeable in the petals of flowers but may also colour the fruits, leaves, stems, and roots of plants that contain them. The name "betalain" comes from the Latin name of the common beet (Beta vulgaris), from which betalains were first extracted.
Betalains are tyrosine-derived pigments and include betaxanthins and betacyanins. Betaxanthins are yellow to orange pigments that contain different amino acid or amine residues. Betacyanins, on the other hand, are reddish to violet pigments that contain a cyclo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (cyclo-DOPA) residue. The most common betacyanin is betanin, which is present in red beets. Betanin is also known as beetroot red and is used as a food colouring agent. It is sensitive to pH, and its colour can range from red to purple.
The combination of betacyanins and betaxanthins can result in a broad range of colours, from yellow to red and violet. The specific shades depend on the chemical structure of the pigments and the pH level. Betalains may also complex metal ions, which can lead to either bathochromic or hypochromic effects, further influencing the colour.
In mushrooms, betalains are found in the genera Amanita, Hygrocybe, and Hygrophorus. The fly agaric or fly amanita mushroom, for example, has a bright red cap due to a combination of pigments, including betaxanthins and betacyanins.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms come in a variety of colours, from red to orange to yellow to white. While the exact reasons for their vibrant colours are not always clear, there are several theories. One theory suggests that some mushrooms are brightly coloured to attract spore dispersers, similar to how brightly coloured fruits attract seed dispersers. Another theory posits that pigments in mushrooms may serve as a form of natural sunblock or protection against bacterial invaders.
The colour of mushrooms is due to the presence of various pigments. For example, the vivid yellow colour of "plantpot dapperlings" or yellow parasols is a result of the pigment birnbaumin. Similarly, the bright red cap of the fly agaric or fly amanita mushroom is due to a combination of pigments, including betaxanthins and betacyanins.
No, not all mushrooms have pigments. Some mushrooms lack pigments and appear more drab or earthy in colour, typically in shades of white or brown. These mushrooms may rely on other mechanisms for survival and reproduction, such as releasing spores that are dispersed by animals or the wind.
