Tuesday, 4 November 2008

Honey Fungus


Did you know that some fungi are bioluminescent? In other words, they shine in the dark. In this country there are not that many of them but one is quite common – the Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea). Unfortunately it is the mycelium (root system) rather than the fruiting bodies which glows. Sticks infected with this fungus are said at one time to have been laid alongside pathways to create a guide to the way home on cloudy, moonless nights.

To see some lovely pictures of bioluminescent fungi see Springbrook Research Centre’s site.
 

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