Fabulous Fungi

If you are looking to learn about organisms that can be amazing, terrifying, and beautiful, look no further than fungi.

Firstly, you may ask yourself, what are fungi? Fungi were once considered plants, but they do not photosynthesize. In fact, they are more closely related to animals than other plants, and they are classified in their own kingdom, separate from plants and animals. Fungi include mushrooms, toadstools, truffles, mold, mildew, and yeast. 

If they do not photosynthesize like plants or eat like animals, how do they sustain themselves? Fungi are heterotrophic, which means their nourishment comes from other organisms. Fungi gain this nourishment by digesting their food externally, and then absorbing it. Many species feed on decaying organic matter like rotting wood, but some can go on the offensive as pathogens attacking plants, people, and other organisms. If a popular show about killer fungi comes to mind, you are not far off.

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, changes the behavior of infected hosts by driving them down to the forest floor where conditions are perfect for fungal reproduction. After the hosts have perished, magnificent fruiting bodies erupt from the top of their heads, releasing spores into the environment to carry on the species.

Other, less terrifying fungi have mutually beneficial relationships with other species, particularly plants. The majority of a fungal organism exists underground, called the mycelium, and the mushrooms we commonly see can be equated to their fruit. They pop up above the ground to spread spores and help the organism reproduce. The many threads of the underground fungus connect with other species, forming mycorrhizal networks where organisms exchange water, carbon, nitrogen, and other essential minerals. They even exchange nutrients and water with trees and other plants through the plants' roots.

Now that we understand a bit more about what a fungus is, let’s explore some spores of Hillsborough County! 

 

Cantharellus cinnabarinus. Photo by: Eric Smith (esmith), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cinnabar-red Chanterelle (Cantharellus cinnabarinus)

These mushrooms should be easy to spot with their flamboyant color. Their caps measure two inches across, with a depression in the middle, and thick ridges on the underside. You can find them under hardwoods, especially oak.

 

Hericium erinaceus. Photo by: Alex, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bearded Tooth Fungus (Hericium erinaceus)

Also called the lion’s mane mushroom, this fungi can reach about eight inches across and its color starts off as white and ages to yellow. This species has unique spines (teeth). Check the sides of living hardwood and conifer trees to spot them.

 

Strobilomyces strobilaceus. Photo by: Fluff Berger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Old Man of the Woods (Strobilomyces strobilaceus)

This is a type of bolete, or soft-pored fungus. Their six-inch cap is distinguished by dark, warty scales. Their stem is also dark and wooly. They can be found among decaying hardwoods, especially oak, or in conifer forests, preferring pine.

 

Amanita muscaria. Photo by: Onderwijsgek at nl.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL, via Wikimedia Commons

Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria)

Also known as fly agaric, this iconic gilled mushroom can reach 16 inches across. Small white scales on the cap form concentric circles on a background of red to yellow. They are widespread and can associate with many different types of trees. Be sure to look but not touch (and especially don't eat) this toxic beauty.

Lactarius indigo. Photo by: Alan Rockefeller, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Indigo Milk Cap (Lactarius indigo)

Star Wars fans will appreciate this blue beauty, also known as the blue milk mushroom. These gilled mushrooms have a six-inch cap which can be convex or flat. When their tissue is damaged, they use a blue milk, or latex, which turns green after being exposed to oxygen. Look for these galactic fungi under hardwood and conifer forests.

 

Calvatia gigantea. Photo by: Martin Jones / Giant Puffballs at Bulcote

Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)

This impressive specimen can grow to a whopping 20 inches across. They have a smooth, spherical surface that is cream colored. Inside, they have a white mass which eventually turns greenish brown as they mature. Each one can contain several trillion spores. Look for these behemoths in pastures and woodlands.

 

Xylaria polymorpha. Photo by: Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)

This frightful fungus gets its name from club-like fruiting bodies that poke up from the ground, often in groupings of three to six. They darken with age, sometimes taking on greenish or bluish tints. To complete the spooky vibe, they prefer dead or decaying wood.

 

Aleuria aurantia. Photo by: Elspeth Swan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria aurantia)

This fungus produces smooth, orange fruiting bodies that grow to about four inches across. They can vary in shape, from cup-shaped to flat. They are often found along paths, roads, and grassy areas and can be mistaken for discarded orange peels from a careless hiker.

 

Omphalotus illudens. Photo by: KeithMiklas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Eastern Jack O’Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus illudens)

This large, orange mushroom can commonly be seen climbing the base of decaying trees or covering buried, rotting stumps. Fruiting bodies have a yellow to orange color and caps can reach eight inches. Their gills are bioluminescent, meaning they emit a faint green glow when fresh. It is believed this glow helps attract insects to help spread spores.

Amanita bisporigera. Photo by: Jarek Tuszyński / CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Eastern Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)

This gilled mushroom has a foreboding name for a reason: they are one of the most toxic in the United States. They have a white, convex cap that can reach six inches, and their gills are not attached to the stalk. They sometimes have a ring on the stalk. Admire these fungi from afar under hardwoods, especially oaks, and coniferous trees.