5/10 -- Fungi continued

Today we continued to supplement our knowledge on various fungi that can be found in the Puget Sound area. In order to survive, as consumers, fungi need a producer or source of carbon. They obtain this carbon via the process of decomposition. Three types of fungi exist: soft, white rot, and brown rot, with the latter two needing wood to survive. These fungi are all biotrophs, living in balance with the host, both taking and providing.
Fungus found on roots is known as mycorrhiza; the fungus gets carbon and helps the root grow in size by giving it water and minerals such as phosphorus.
Another type of fungi we learned about was lichens. Before taking this course, I don't believe I had ever heard of this category of fungus. It is found everywhere in the NW: along walls, on fallen trees, on wooden picnic tables. Lichens are fungus in combination with green alga/cyanobacteria, that fix nitrogen. (see sketch)
Although it has a hard time growing in the city due to pollution, one can still easily find it. Lichen is more prone to pollution due to the fact that it absorbs water directly, including the chemicals contained in the water like exhaust from cars. I find lichen extremely interesting, both because they are often interesting colors or shapes, but also because of their close relationship to the environment. Their sensitivity to pollution is an obvious example of how humans have a direct effect on the environment.
When eating mushrooms, on must use extreme caution. Without the expertise, it is easy to mistake an edible mushroom for one that can do serious harm. As much as I enjoy mushrooms, I don't think I would ever eat one in the field unless I had someone with the knowledge, as a small snack is not worth what could happen.

Species list (5/8 & 5/10):

1. Tremetes versicolo (Turkey Tail) - a type of white rot
2. Pleurotus pulmonarius (Oyster Mushroom)
3. Agaricus bisporus (Button Mushroom)
4. Agrocybe praecox - has veil
5. Agrocybe smithii - has no veil
6. Ganoderma applanatam
7. Puccinia malvacearum (Hollyhock rust) - Plant parasite. Lichen?
8. Powdery mildew - Plant parasite. Comes from hypahe and spores on a leaf's surface, sucking nutrition from the plant.
9. Boletus chrysenteron (Red Cracking Bolete) - Edible
10. Parmelia sulcata - Found on a bench. More tolerant to pollution.

Posted on June 2, 2012 09:45 PM by beardendb