About Fungi
In1969, Robert Whittaker proposed the five kingdom taxonomic classification of the world's biota into Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera (Monera has since been split into Archaebacteria, and Eubacteria).
Before this, Fungi were in the same kingdom as plants. It's true that there are a couple of similarities between fungi and plants, like the stationary bit, but it turns out that fungi are a lot closer to animals than plants. The fungi kindgom split from animals roughly 9 million years after plants did (source).
Fungi don't have chloroplasts like plants, instead they derive their nutrients from breaking down organic substances. They recycle carbon, propel nitrogen fixation, and phosphorus mobilization, which are two main components of healthy soil. They are the decomposers of both animal and plant debris and include molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.
Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda), Hairy-stalked collybia (Gymnopus spongiosus), Cartilage and Golden-eye lichen (Ramalina celastri, Ramalina complanata, and Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) and other various lichens. Jan. 8th, 2022 in Caldwell Co., Tx
Macro shot of Bird's nest fungi (Nidulariaceae family)
While I know and understand why mushrooms and fungus aren't everyone's cup of tea, I have wondered how much of the dislike is attributed to societal perspective.
Mycophobia is a term that describes a fear or aversion to mushrooms and fungi. And It's true that some varieties of fungi can be fatally poisonous. Some look bizarre and weird. Inhaling a large amount of spores, especially on a daily basis, can definitely be hazardous to your health.
But as kids maybe we were also told that it was dangerous to touch any mushroom, in order to avoid the risks altogether. Some folks are inflicted by Trypophobia, a fear of clusters of small holes, bumps, or patterns, and may not like mushrooms and lichen. For one reason or another fungi have been both feared and revered for a long time.
However, while mushroom hunting, the only way a fungi can harm you is through digestion. You can take spore-prints, and handle any mushroom without worry. It is even safe to do a "spit-test", where you take a small bite, chew, and spit it all out, to help further the effort of identification. I can think of many plants I do not want to touch, like poision ivy or "stinging" nettles, much less chew.
However, ingesting even a small bite of some mushrooms can be fatal. This is why triple-checking your ID, especially with other experts, before you ingest ANY mushroom is critically important.
Image Source
According to this BC Medical Journal, "Amatoxins in Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, are responsible for 90% of the world’s mushroom-related fatalities."
What's neat about Lichen is that it's a composite organism with a symbiotic relationship between fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria or both.
Lichens don't have roots like plants do to help absorb water and nutrition. So it's through this symbiosis, where fungi provide a suitable habitat, water absorption, and certian nutrients and the algae or cyanobacteria undergo photosynthesis to provide carbon, that these organisms have thrived.
Fungi seem to be both at the beginning and the end of life. They are ethereal and yet fleeting. Their mycelium networks can span miles, and connect the roots of trees and other plants to share nutrients and water, or signals of attack (Source). Their role is pivotal in nature, and they may even have a hand in saving the world too.
Paul Stametts leads a neat TED talk about the "6 ways the mycelium fungus can help save the universe: cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses." The potential of mushrooms decomposing and breaking down landfill trash is incredibly exciting.
Pixy cup lichen, Cladona Genus
Found on our property in Palo Pinto, Texas Feb. 2022
Macro shot of a lichen's apothecium, the fruiting body that releases spores for reproduction. Taken by me 2016.
Their symbiosis "has been such an evolutionary success that there are close to 14,000 species of lichens in the world" (Brodo et al., 3). The diversity is amazing, in shape, size, and color. Lichens are slow growing, and sensitive to atmospheric pollution. They protect trees and rocks from harsh weather and can be used as nesting material. They live in all kinds of climates and landscapes, some can be used as dyes and perfumes, and some for medicines. I've spent so much time on fungi, that I will need to come back and elaborite more on how cool lichen is too.
Thank you for reading! Fungi and Lichen are so unique and diverse, and worthy of admiration. I hope to update this page and use the blog below to document new-to-me species, neat facts or information and photography as I go on explore.
Book Sources:
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Brodo, I. M., et al. Lichens of North America.
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Yale University Press, 2001.