4 reasons mushrooms are amazing
Mushrooms can be found everywhere, throughout every season, but they are especially iconic in autumn. Beyond their striking appearance, mushrooms play a vital role in nature and even in human health. Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms:
1. Mushrooms: nature’s clean-up crew
Fungi are nature's ultimate recyclers. Their microscopic filaments, known as mycelium, break down dead organic material. Without fungi, forests would be buried under layers of fallen leaves. Fungi convert this material into essential nutrients, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem. Some fungi even break down pollutants like plastics—oyster mushrooms can decompose cigarette butts! Mushrooms themselves are the fruiting bodies of fungi, similar to how apples grow on apple trees. If you zoom in, you'll see mushrooms are entirely made of mycelium. Though small, mushrooms belong to the microbial kingdom, connecting them to the fascinating world of microbes.
2. Edible mushrooms: from superfood to risotto
Mushrooms aren’t just forest finds; they’re staples in the kitchen. From button mushrooms and oyster mushrooms to shiitake, these fungi elevate dishes like mushroom risotto and pizza fungi. Grown on specialised farms, many edible mushrooms are considered superfoods due to their high fibre content and low-calorie profile. However, not all mushrooms are safe to eat—some are highly toxic, so it’s best to leave wild ones untouched. Even moulds, such as Penicillium camemberti used in camembert cheese, face challenges like over-cultivation. Unlike endangered animal breeds, these microbes lack conservation programmes, though their unique traits are equally vital.
3. A touch of mystery
Mushrooms are steeped in folklore and legend. Think of the toadstool red with white spots from nursery rhymes or the eerie "fairy rings" tied to witches’ dances. Science has since demystified these phenomena. Fairy rings occur when fungi grow outward from a central point, forming mushrooms at the nutrient-rich edges. These rings vary greatly in size—some, like those of Leucopaxillus giganteus, can span 700 metres! Would you dare to dance around one?
4. The medicinal power of mushrooms
In traditional medicine, mushrooms have long been valued for their healing properties. Medicinal mushrooms like Reishi are believed to offer health benefits, though consulting a doctor is essential when considering their use. Even fungi that don’t produce mushrooms contribute to medical breakthroughs. For example, the first antibiotic, penicillin, was derived from the Penicillium mould. Another fungus provided the first immunosuppressive drug, used to prevent organ rejection. Microbes, including fungi, are at the forefront of medical innovation, offering hope for future life-saving discoveries.
Explore the world of mushrooms
Visit ARTIS-Micropia to uncover how mushrooms and other microbes play an indispensable role in nature, food, and health.