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Physalacria inflata. Photo by Andrew Khitsun.
Like so many species of fungi, Physalacria inflata has been phylogenetically tossed around for decades. This, however, does not portray the inadequacy of our mycological predecessors, but their driven and unforgiving zeal for this discipline. Without the use of genetic techniques, the mycologists of yesteryear did pretty damn well.
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Clavaria zollingeri. By Dan Molter.
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A Lactarius or Russula fruiting body fully parasitized by Hypomyces lactifluorum. This union creates the sought-after lobster mushroom. Photo by Herbert Baker.
Today I learned how one forest floor parasite actually changes the chemical composition of its host, thereby altering its texture and flavor profile. For this reason, after the fruiting bodies of some Russula and Lactarius species become fully infected, they become highly sought-after. Additionally, I learned that the quantity of DNA in both species involved becomes altered both spatially and temporally. Today I learned how one forest floor parasite actually changes the chemical composition of its host, thereby altering its texture and flavor profile. For this reason, after the fruiting bodies of some Russula and Lactarius species become fully infected, they become highly sought-after. Additionally, I learned that the quantity of DNA in both species involved becomes altered both spatially and temporally.
Read moreMoldy grapes are not frowned upon by wine makers. These fungi induce changes within the grape that provide noble rot wines with complex nuances that would otherwise be silenced.
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Gondwanagaricites magnificus that lived 113–120 million years ago in what is now Northeast Brazil. Heads et al. 2017.
This aptly named fossilized species represents the oldest preserved mushroom ever found. We have found older spores and hyphae, but not an entire fruiting structure that is this old.
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