Illuminating the evening
The ghost fungi includes a light-emitting compound called luciferin (lucifer meaning light-bringing). In the presence of oxygen, luciferin is oxidised by an enzyme called luciferase. Consequently of this chemical response, power is launched as a green light. The light from the ghost fungi is often refined and usually requires quite dark problems to see. To experience ghost fungis at their most spectacular you need to permit your eyes time to adapt to the darkness, and do not use a lantern.
Ghost fungis have been commonly tape-taped throughout Australia, particularly in the woodlands of the south-eastern seaboard. They often show up in large overlapping collections about the bases of a variety of trees, commonly Eucalyptus, but also Acacia, Hakea, Melaleuca, Casuarina and various other tree genera as well as understorey species.
The large funnel-shaped mushrooms (the reproductive component of the fungi) are variable in form and colour, but are mainly white to lotion coloured with various tones of brownish, yellow, green, grey, purple and black, usually about the centre of the top. On the bottom, the lamellae (radiating layers which contain the spores) are white to lotion coloured and prolong down the stipe (stem).
This versatile fungi obtains its tucker as both a weak parasite of some tree species and as a saprobe, which means it obtains nourishment from breaking down natural issue such as timber.
Although fungal bioluminescence has been well recorded, little research has been done to develop why fungis most likely to the difficulty of glowing. While some experiments have revealed that bioluminescence draws in spore-dispersing bugs to particular fungis, this shows up not to hold true with the ghost fungi.
Scientists that evaluated whether bugs are quicker attracted to the ghost fungi wrapped up that bioluminescence is more most likely to be an incidental spin-off of metabolic process, instead compared to conferring any careful benefit.
Those that find this clinical description instead unimaginative might prefer to stick to the concept that these fungis help guide fairies (or perhaps a bilby or bandicoot) through the dark woodland.
If you stumble throughout ghost fungis in daytime, however, they appearance much much less puzzling. It does birth a shallow similarity to the tasty oyster mushroom (and were once classified in the same genus), but sadly they are harmful. Ghost fungis have an effective emetic that causes queasiness and throwing up. (And that knows, it might also cause you to radiance terrifyingly green…)
