“Unveiling the Hidden World: 14 Mind-Blowing Mushroom Facts You Never Knew Existed!”
Its fungal colony is considered the largest in the world, occupying an astonishing 2,200 acres and measuring 3.5 km wide. But don’t be fooled! It spends most of its time underground, only popping up when it’s time to reproduce.
2. They Have a Symbiotic Relationship With Host Trees and Plants
There is a fungal friendship between mushrooms and other elements of mother nature. Some fungi “talk” to each other through host trees and plants. One such fungi is called Mycorrhizal fungi.
In this symbiotic relationship, the fungi extend thread-like structures into the plant’s roots, where nutrient exchange occurs. This mycorrhizal network is essential for the co-system, as without it, plants would struggle to survive in nutrient-poor soils.
3. Mushrooms Can Glow in the Dark
Mushrooms are known as nature’s nightlights because some of them can glow in the dark. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence and is caused by a chemical reaction that produces light.
According to the latest research, eight different species of mushrooms turn into glow sticks once the sun has gone down. One of the most popular species is the jack-o’-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius). Such mushrooms emit compounds called luciferins that glow and attract insects.
4. They Share More DNA With Humans than Plants
Previously, scientists believed that mushrooms belonged to the plant family. Surprisingly, they are more closely related to animals, including humans.
