Florida is known for its sunny beaches, lush wetlands, and diverse wildlife. But hidden beneath its emerald canopy lies a world of fungi waiting to be explored! Mushrooms have caught my attention recently in a major way. After seeing massive interest in our first-ever Mushroom Walk program, hosted on a drizzly September morning at Sleeping Turtles Preserve North, I know that many people in our area are downright fascinated by fungi!
Fungi are not animals, and they are not plants; they are their own taxonomic Kingdom. Many people picture a mushroom when they think of fungi, but mushrooms are just the fruit of a fungus, like an apple is the fruit of a tree. The main body of a fungus is composed of thousands of branching threads, called hyphae, that together form an interconnected network of fungal tissue known as mycelium. Mycelium is often embedded or buried in whatever substrate the fungus feeds on and can be challenging to see. When conditions are right, the mycelium will fruit, producing mushrooms on the surface. A mushroom’s entire purpose is to release spores into the environment. If the spores land in the right spot, they will form a new mycelium colony.
Fungi are both friend and foe to humans and greatly impact our lives. They are responsible for the damage caused to wooden structures by dry rot and massive losses to crop yields from fungal pathogens. They also produce antibiotics such as penicillin, flavors for cheeses, loaves of bread that rise, natural dyes to color wool, and convert sugars to alcohol. In this post, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of fungi, explore their contributions to our environment, and share tips for learning how to collect and identify mushrooms.
The Good, the Bad, and the Fungi
Fungi play an essential role in our environment. Many species act as nature’s recyclers, breaking down dead organic matter and returning nutrients and minerals to the soil. This decomposition process benefits the entire ecosystem by maintaining healthy soil conditions. Some fungi form beneficial mycorrhizal relationships with plants, tapping into living roots and aiding in nutrient absorption in exchange for carbohydrates. What’s fascinating is that mycorrhizal fungi can connect nearby trees, transferring chemical signals along an extensive network of interconnected roots. This fungal network has been coined the “Wood Wide Web” due to its similar function to the World Wide Web in human communities.
If you aren’t impressed yet, there’s more! Certain species have the remarkable ability to absorb and accumulate heavy metals and toxins from the environment. Researchers are exploring these fungi for cleaning up polluted sites, a process known as myco-remediation. Mushrooms also have incredible medicinal properties, and Florida is home to species like the reishi. These mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their immune system support and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers are also exploring mushroom-based materials as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics and Styrofoam packaging. These materials are not only biodegradable but also lightweight and durable. Finally, fungi are being studied for their potential in biofuel production. Some mushrooms can break down lignin, a tough plant material, making it easier to extract biofuels from plants. Mushrooms may be the answer we’ve been looking for when it comes to sustainable solutions for our planet.
But beware, not all mushrooms are your garden-variety superheroes. Some can be downright dangerous pathogens and parasites. Cordyceps fungi, for example, are famous for zombifying various insects by taking over their brains and directing them to a high vantage point, where they will ultimately die. Cordyceps mushrooms will sprout from their body, releasing spores near other unsuspecting insects. Some types of pathogenic fungi can be transmitted by insect vectors, such as the exotic Red Bay Ambrosia Beetle which is infecting trees across Florida with a deadly fungus. Humans are threatened by fungi too. If ingested, some mushrooms can cause symptoms from mild discomfort to life-threatening illness. That’s why it’s crucial to exercise caution if you plan on harvesting wild mushrooms for your dinner.
The Hunt for Fungi
Now that you’re intrigued by the world of mushrooms, how do you find and identify them? Here are some tips to get you started:
Wait for Rain: Here in Florida, we are lucky to find mushrooms year-round. Look for them after a good rain shower. You don’t have to go far! Mushrooms are common in urban areas, and you may be surprised how many you can find in your backyard or local park if you carefully search for them.
Habitat Matters: Different mushroom species prefer specific habitats. Some like shady forests, others thrive in sandy soil, and some only grow on or near particular plant species. If you are looking for a specific mushroom, research its preferred habitat and try to look in areas where its host plants grow.
Study Field Guides: Invest in a good field guide on mushrooms native to Florida. Books or smartphone apps can be incredibly helpful when identifying mushrooms. I highly recommend “Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States” by Bessette, Bessette, and Lewis as a localized guide for Florida. I would avoid more general guides that cover the entire United States or North America, as Florida’s climate and habitats are unique, and many of the species in generalized guides may not be found here. Mobile Apps like Shroomify Mushroom ID and iNaturalist are great resources to help narrow down a possible match or at least get you looking at the correct genus. MushroomExpert.com is an exceptional online resource with many keys for identification and detailed descriptions of various mushroom genera. For a more general introduction to mushroom biology and ID, “Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi” by Thomas Laessoe is an excellent resource to get you started. Lastly, if you’re interested in edible mushrooms, “The Complete Mushroom Hunter” by Gary Lincoff is a great resource. Always use extreme caution when foraging mushrooms to eat, as many look-a-likes can make you sick or worse.
Take Photos and Touch Your Mushrooms: If you need clarification on a mushroom’s identity, take clear photos from various angles. Capture clear images of the top and underside of the cap, the stalk, what the mushroom is growing on, and the habitat it is in. You may have to gently unearth your specimen, as a mushroom in the soil may be growing from a buried piece of wood. You may be concerned that touching toxic mushrooms could hurt you, but even dangerous species to consume are safe to handle with bare hands. Cut the mushroom in half along the vertical axis to show a cross-section of the cap and stem, and note if you observe any color change or bruising. Make a note of the smell and texture of the mushroom. If you have time, create a spore print. These details will help a mushroom expert make a confident identification for you. Remember that mycology, or the study of fungi, is a relatively new science; over a million fungi species are waiting to be identified. So don’t be discouraged if you find mushroom ID challenging – even the experts are still learning!
Join a Group: Consider joining a local mycology club or attending mushroom identification walks. Learning from experienced foragers is a great way to gain knowledge. The Florida Mushroom Identification Forum is an excellent outlet for mushroom ID questions and knowledge sharing if you’re on Facebook.
Permission to Pick: Lastly, if you plan to go mushroom hunting on public lands in Florida, check with the property manager for rules and regulations. Some areas may have restrictions or require permission to collect mushrooms. It’s always better to be safe and respectful of the environment.
So, there you have it! Fungi play essential roles in our ecosystems, from decomposing organic matter to offering potential sustainable solutions for the future. The best way to protect Florida’s incredibly diverse fungi is to protect the habitats where they grow. Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast protects land across southwest Florida, and there are many ways to get involved!
