“Unveiling the Hidden World: 14 Mind-Blowing Mushroom Facts You Never Knew Existed!”
8. Some Mushrooms are Safe to Eat
Some mushrooms are edible and safe to consume. However, others can be poisonous and can lead to death if ingested. When it comes to wild mushroom picking, you must do proper research before eating them.
According to research, there are almost 2189 classes of mushrooms that are safe to eat, and 183 need pre-treatment to make them edible. Ultimately, if you’re not sure, don’t eat it.
9. Mushrooms Can Digest Plastic
Mushrooms are being investigated as a fungal solution to plastic pollution. This comes after a groundbreaking discovery in 2017, which revealed that a fungus called Aspergillus tubingensis could digest polyurethane plastic.
Such mushrooms have certain enzymes that can break down plastic polymers into less harmful substances. Scientists are looking to create similar enzymes to continue the work of these fungi.
10. Mushrooms Can be Poisonous
One of the deadliest mushrooms in the U.S. is the Death Cap, known as Amanita phalloides (not the mushroom pictures above). These mushrooms originally came from mainland Europe, where the vast majority of mushroom-related deaths.
When consumed, the toxic substances spread throughout the body, causing liver and kidney failure, and death occurs within 72 hours. It is highly recommended that you consult a mycologist before consuming any wild mushrooms.
11. Mushrooms are as Old as 5300 Years
In 1991, a remarkable discovery was made in the Italian Alps. The mummified remains of a man named “Otzi” were found to have been frozen in a glacier for over 5,300 years. Surprisingly, two types of mushrooms were present in his possessions.
