Glowing Mushroom Phenomenon. Glowing mushrooms: description and photo How to explain the glow effect

glowing mushrooms is a fairly common natural phenomenon. To date, about 70 species of mushrooms are known to emit radiant light in the dark. They are found in Brazil and Belize, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Photos of these mushrooms are very popular and resemble a fabulous landscape, stunning in its splendor.

The origin of the nature of fungal bioluminescence has not yet been established. The first mentions of this phenomenon are found in the writings of Pliny and Aristotle. Let's try and understand this intriguing phenomenon. But first, consider the most common varieties of fungi capable of light emission.

Luminous mushrooms are clearly visible only in the dark. In daylight, they are quite difficult to see. Careful searches and studies of scientists every year open more and more new varieties of bioluminescent mushrooms. The most famous of them should be attributed.

1. Mycena luxaeterna (Eternal light). The distribution area of ​​this fungus is the Atlantic forests. It is characterized by its small size and jelly-like leg.
2. Mycena silvaelucens. It is found in Malaysia, in particular, it is widely distributed on the island of Borneo. The cap diameter of this mushroom is about 2 cm.
3. Mycena luxarboricola (Light on the tree). Their first samples were brought from Brazil. Most often, these mushrooms are found in Parna. The cap is half a centimeter in diameter.
4. Poromycena manipularis. A mushroom that spreads a fairly bright glow in the dark. You can see it, being at a distance of more than 30 meters from it.

Tricks of chemistry or science is to blame

Focusing on the scientific component and trying to protect yourself from miracles, you can explain the effect of the glow of mushrooms, so mysterious in the photo, by a banal chemical reaction. It involves the participation in the process of only two components: the pigment luciferin and oxygen.

Oxidation of the biological pigment just causes the bioluminescence of the fungus, the manifestation of greenish light in the dark in these eukaryotes.

But this is far from the only version of the glow. You should not discard the option of depending on the color of mushrooms on natural conditions and their distribution area.

Defensive reaction or desire to survive

According to the authoritative opinions of some scientists, luminous mushrooms owe their color to the natural conditions in which they grow. There are two main and at the same time radically opposite versions explaining luminescence.

Reproduction. The glow of mushrooms has become the main means to attract animals to them. Getting on the wool of a night guest, fungal spores are carried throughout the forest. This is how they reproduce.

Repelling. So attractive in the photo, mushrooms that emit light in the dark warn animals of danger, clearly indicate the toxicity of the fungus. This forces the representatives of the fauna to stay away from them.

man-made miracle

Interested in the phenomenon glowing mushrooms and planning to take some wonderful photos, Martin Pfister, a popular photographer of our time, approached the solution of this issue outside the box. He himself created the illusion of glow.

To do this, behind ordinary mushrooms were placed LED bulbs. Thanks to them the world saw unique photos, which have no analogues.

Glowing mushrooms, photos of which are in this article, are few in nature in relation to its diversity and are rare. There are many types of plant "lanterns". All of them differ in the strength of the emitted light and colors. The glowing terraria mushroom even became one of the most famous in computer games. Whether it actually exists in nature - there is no information.

Why do mushrooms glow?

Glowing mushrooms are a manifestation natural phenomenon bioluminescence. It manifests itself in some living organisms. Glow-in-the-dark mushrooms have also been found. Bioluminescence is chemical reaction accompanied by the release of radiant energy. A cold glow appears, which got its name for the slight release of heat during the manifestation of the phenomenon.

It is the result of a chemical reaction involving oxygen and luciferin (a light-emitting biological pigment). The reaction occurs in the tissues of fungi when they absorb oxygen. As a result, the tissues begin to glow. But there is another reason for this phenomenon.

For example, ordinary rotten or old russula and milk mushrooms can glow. The phenomenon occurs because of the small microorganisms living in them. Their bodies emit phosphorescent light, and it seems that it comes from a fungus.

Where do glowing mushrooms grow?

Glow in the dark mushrooms number from 68 to 71 species. More than half of them belong to the genus Mycena. They exist due to the decomposition of organic matter. Most of these luminous mushrooms grow in Japan - 10 species. In Brazil and South America, 8 more varieties have been found. Glowing mushrooms are found in Puerto Rico, Malaysia and other places around the world.

What parts of mushrooms glow?

These amazing organisms belong to different families. Mushrooms can glow completely or in parts. Some have only the lower surface of the cap. They are mainly found in tropical, hot countries and southern Europe. In other mushrooms, the vegetative organs that serve for nutrition glow. These species are most commonly found in middle lane.

Where can you see glowing mushrooms?

For example, the mushrooms Armillaria mellea Vahl have light or dark threads (rhizomorphs) in the mycelium. They penetrate the tree trunk and contribute to its destruction. The rhizomorphs glow in the dark, and from the side it seems that the radiance comes from the tree. This phenomenon is most often observed on already rotten trunks.

Luminous mushrooms Xylaria Hypoxylon L have club-shaped fruits that branch out like antlers. Most often they grow in beech stumps. In mushrooms, only mycelia glow. The same effect is observed in another species - X. polymorpa Pers.

Most often, mushrooms have glowing fruits. For example, one of the most famous is Pleurotus (Agaricus) olearius DC. They grow in southern Europe, under old trees. Mushrooms are very large, stand on a thick stem, but have a small yellowish-golden cap. These species are completely luminous, even the upper surface of the cap.

Another interesting view- Pl. Gardneri Berk, native to Brazil. These mushrooms are found on dead palm leaves. Children of local natives often use luminous pieces of such mushrooms in the evenings instead of toys. Some species grow on the trunks of healthy trees.

Glow power

In the species Pleurotus (Agaricus) olearius DC, luminescence is observed only in living fungi. The phenomenon intensifies until they are fully ripe. Then the glow subsides. But if you cut it, even the pieces will emit light for a long time.

The strength of its emission is different. The intensity of the glow varies depending on the type of fungus. But even for the same one, it can vary due to different durations. life cycle. Some mushrooms glow so strongly that they can be used instead of a light bulb and even read next to them.

Other species become noticeable only if you approach them at a distance of 20 meters. Glowing rotten visible from afar. The strength of radiation directly depends on age. Mushrooms that are old or dormant no longer glow. This phenomenon has only living organisms.

The intensity of the glow may also depend on temperature. For example, mushrooms begin to radiate only in the range from 4 to 50 degrees. For some mushrooms, the temperature should not exceed 10, while others require 50 degrees and above. The amount of oxygen is also important for the glow. With its lack, the flickering of mushrooms will be weaker, in boiled water it will stop altogether.

Glow colors

Glowing mushrooms can emit light in different colors. The most common is yellowish-greenish radiation. Such mushrooms grow in Jamaica, Japan, Belize and several other countries. A weak glow can be seen in the daytime, if there is no sun. But best of all, the radiance is observed in the dark. Color variations may vary. Some mushrooms attract with a soft blue glow, others with bright red. There are many yellow and green shades.

Why do mushrooms glow?

There are several opinions about why the mushroom glows. Some researchers argue that this phenomenon occurs at the time of its nutrition. A chemical reaction takes place, as a result of which the glow begins. According to another version, mushrooms glow to attract animals, which then spread fungal spores on their skin, legs and paws. This is a common way of reproduction and some plants.

Some luminous mushrooms thus warn of danger, scaring away those who wish to feast on them. But sometimes this is a false defensive reaction of mushrooms. They may well be edible. Sometimes mushrooms themselves can act as predators, luring insects towards them with light, and then eating them.

These neon green mushrooms, or Mycena chlorophos, appear during the rainy season in Japanese and Brazilian forests, scattering the floor with glowing spores. The glow of mushrooms is due to bioluminescence, one of the amazing reactions that occur in some plants and animals.

In 1840, the famous English botanist George Gardner described an unusual sight that he had to observe in Brazil: a group of boys played with a luminous object, which turned out to be a luminescent mushroom.
The children called it "coconut flower" and showed Gardner the place where the fungus grew, on fallen leaves at the base of a dwarf palm tree.
Gardner sent away unusual mushroom to England, where he received the description and name Agaricus gardneri. Since then, until 2009, scientists no longer encountered such mushrooms.

But now researchers from State University San Francisco (USA) managed to collect new specimens of the lost species and reclassify it. The mushroom was named Neonothopanus gardneri

This species of eukaryotes glows so brightly in the dark that it can even read under these conditions. Scientists hope that a careful study of this fungus and its bioluminescent counterparts from other parts of the world will help answer the question of how and why mushrooms glow.


After studying the anatomy, physiology, and genetic origin of the fungus, San Francisco University staff determined that it should be placed in the genus Neonothopanus. According to scientists, it is extremely difficult to collect new specimens of this species - the search for this fungus requires a special approach and is fraught with great difficulties.
To see the green glow of the bioluminescent fungus, scientists had to wander through the forest at night during the new moon, while being very careful not to run into snakes and jaguars. Only digital cameras facilitated the situation, thanks to which scientists managed to detect luminous mushrooms.


Bioluminescence, or the ability of an organism to produce its own light, is a very widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom, which occurs due to a number of chemical processes. Scientists suggest that mushrooms should glow in much the same way as the well-known firefly beetles, i.e. thanks to the luciferin-luciferase mixture.
However, these compounds have not yet been found in mushrooms. In addition, it remains a mystery to scientists why fungi need such a mechanism. There are several assumptions, however, it has not yet been possible to confirm them.

Kira Stoletova

There is such a thing as bioluminescence - the glow of living organisms. Glowing mushrooms are representatives of this phenomenon. Some species glow not only in the dark, but also during the day. Science gives different explanations for this phenomenon.

General information

Glowing mushrooms were first discovered in 1840 in Brazil. Then they disappeared, and over time, luminescent fruiting bodies were again found in the same place. Mentions of the phenomenon are found even in the works of Aristotle and the writer Pliny the Elder.

Among these species are many poisonous organisms. The sizes of mushrooms do not exceed 3 cm in diameter. The most common is Mycena (feed and decompose organic matter). Radiation is more often yellowish-green, but it can also be light blue, deep red, etc. They are found in the forests of Japan, South America, Brazil, Belize, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Southern Europe etc.

Causes of glow

More often, the entire fruiting body glows. In our latitudes, there are mushrooms that have light in their mycelium. Scientific studies have revealed conflicting reasons for the occurrence of this phenomenon:

1. Chemical reaction - the pigment luciferin and oxygen are involved in the process. The pigment oxidizes and causes a greenish glow.
2. Habitat.
3. Reproduction method - attract animals, on the wool of which spores fall and are carried by this method through the forest.
4. Warning method - light warns of the toxicity of fruiting bodies. But a defensive reaction is not always justified, because they can be edible.

The glow of most varieties is weak, it is visible only in the dark. But there are also mushrooms that, due to the flicker, are visible at a distance of 40 m. They are called Poromycena manipularis.

Radiation strength different types depends on such factors:

• duration of the life cycle;
• the age of the fruiting body - old mushrooms no longer glow, unlike young ones;
• temperatures - the most intense bioluminescence of these fungi is observed at 21˚С;
• the amount of oxygen - the less it is, the weaker the glow.

The most common types

Glowing mushrooms have recently been represented by 68 varieties. But every year their number increases. The most famous include the following:

1. Mycena luxaeterna - found near the Atlantic Ocean. They grow on the branches of trees. They are 0.8 cm in diameter. The leg is jelly-like. The name translates as "eternal light".
2. Mycena silvaelucens - found on the island of Borneo (Malaysia). Hat dimensions - 18 mm.
3. Mycena luxarboricola or "light on the tree" is a type of luminous mushroom, the first specimens of which were found in Brazil. Most common in Parana. Diameter 0.5 cm.
4. Pleurotus (Agaricus) olearius DC - grow in Southern Europe. They prefer places under old trees. The fruit bodies are large, the stem is thick, the hat is yellow-golden. Glow entirely.
5. Xylaria Hypoxylon L - grow on beech stumps. Glow gives mycelium. Branched fruits.
6. Armillaria mellea Vahl - the mycelium of this variety destroys wood. Light and dark threads of mycelium permeate the entire trunk. Because of the glow in the dark, it seems as if the radiation comes from the tree.
7. Gardneri Berk - found in Brazil. They grow on dead palm leaves.

Application

Glowing mushrooms are used in medicine.

Luminous dictiophora has healing properties - rare view growing in the jungle. According to the recipe of Count Alessandro Cagliostro, an elixir is prepared from it, for which the following ingredients are needed:

• 4 g dry chopped dictiophora;
• 200 g of vodka or cognac;

The medicine is insisted for 2 weeks. Take orally for 1 hour or 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals. It can help in the treatment of a variety of diseases:

• fights cancer cells
• gives the effect of rejuvenation;
• helps in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases;
• enhances potency.

To date, scientists from Russia, together with Brazilian and Japanese colleagues, have created mushrooms that glow with almost all the colors of the rainbow. Decorative lanterns made from such mushrooms, hanging from tree trunks or placed on the ground, can decorate gardens.

It is worth trying to grow a luminous mushroom with your own hands. To get a quality crop, you need good seedlings. Luminescent fruiting bodies are rare, so sticks with mycelium are bought at special enterprises or in stores. It must be remembered that in nature such species grow more often in the humid tropics. The mushroom picker will begin to bear fruit if an appropriate microclimate is created.

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Conclusion

Mushrooms that glow in the dark or ghost mushrooms are especially common in tropical forests. Some of their types give such strong radiation that they can be used as flashlights. Also, these organisms have medicinal properties.

The emission of light by living organisms is a frequent phenomenon and mushroom kingdom there is also something to illuminate the darkness of the forest. Glowing mushrooms inhabit not only tropical thickets, but are also found in the middle lane. The mechanisms of this glow (bioluminescence) and its biological feasibility are under study.

Variety of luminous species

The world already knows 71 species of luminous mushrooms. Light can come from both the fruiting body of the fungus and from its mycelium. IN temperate latitudes only the mycelium of some species glows - for example, honey agaric Armillaria mellea. Threads of mycelium, penetrating the dead wood of stumps and deadwood, in the dark emit an even white, slightly greenish light. Sometimes old fruiting bodies of milk mushrooms and russula can flicker - in the event that small mushrooms of the genus Collybia settle on them with a luminous mycelium.

In broad-leaved beech forests, the mycelium of club-shaped branched marsupial fungi Xylaria emits a yellow-green light, and further south, at the foot of old olive trees, it radiates bioluminescent mushroom Pleurotus (Agaricus) olearius. While he is alive, not only the bottom of his hat glows, but also its top and even the stem.

In the tropics, there are more mushroom "bulbs" and their glow is brighter. Thus, the tinder fungus Polyporus noctilucens growing in Angola is visible in the dark at a distance of 20 meters, and in its light you can read. The Brazilian luminous mushroom Neonothopanus gardneri does not lag behind in terms of radiation intensity, which locals called "flor de coco" ("palm blossom"), and the kids use it for exciting evening games with bright green mushroom "lanterns". Small tropical species of Mycena also emit an intense greenish-yellow glow: the species Poromycena manipularis is visible in the dark from a distance of more than 30 meters.

How to explain the glow effect

The exact chemical mechanism for the luminescence of mushrooms has not yet been established. It is quite reasonable to assume that this process is close to that which occurs in the bodies of fireflies: the enzyme luciferase helps the interaction of luciferin, oxygen and water, as a result of which a quantum of light is released. However, scientists are still not exactly sure which chemical compounds are involved in the reaction.

To the question "Why do mushrooms need light?" There is also no clear answer. The most common opinion is that the glow attracts insects that spread fungal spores and thereby help glowing mushrooms to develop new territories.

To test this hypothesis, in a nighttime palm forest inhabited by Neonothopanus gardneri, Brazilian researchers set up a rubber mock mushroom with green LED lights. A record number of insects attracted by this dummy was recorded, and among them were wasps, and ants, and beetles, and flies that are really capable of being carriers of spores.

In addition, many luminous mushrooms in the tropics have a clear daily rhythm - during the day, when against the background sunlight it will not be possible to lure insects, the glow noticeably weakens, and at night, in the dark, it flares up.

Mysteriously flickering rotten, populated with honey mushroom mycelium, mushroom "lamps" in the olive groves of the Mediterranean, bright green tropical "light bulb mushrooms" have been sending their rays into the darkness of the night for centuries, and the complex chemistry and secret biology of this phenomenon are still waiting for their discoverers.