'Eruptin Mushrooms lift driveway'

[agrumpycow]

Just came across this article on the BBC Berkshire news website - pretty strong fungi
BBC NEWS | England | Berkshire | Erupting mushrooms lift driveway

[sarah64]

That's interesting Claire, I wonder what type of mushrooms they are.

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by sarah64

That's interesting Claire, I wonder what type of mushrooms they are.

Probably Honey Fungus!!!!!

[sarah64]

Originally Posted by Stewy

Probably Honey Fungus!!!!!

In that case Stewy it stands a good chance of coming through his shed floor. LOL

[fairplay]

I have seen Coprinus comatus burst through tarmac on several occasions, unfortunately the photo doesn't show enough detail for a firm ID.

Neil.

[Kayleigh]

Don't get your drive done by gypo's

[flaxton]

I've read stories about Coprinus doing this but I have seen an Agaricus many years ago in the middle of a tarmac pavement.
Mal

[Nick_in_Scotland]

I've heard of this happening a few times but never seen it, though I remember feeling a lump under my kitchen lino once which made me wonder. It's something to do with hydraulic power, I believe that when mushrooms "grow" there's very little actual growth happening, it's more like the fungal tissues getting pumped up with water. In the same way as hydraulic brakes can cause a small movement of a foot to slow a huge lorry, the gradual power of the moving fluid filling up the mushroom can lift concrete, asphalt, etc. Or something.

Also, people might find it strange how the mushrooms got under there in the first place and I suppose assume that spores or something got trapped when the drive was put down. More likely in my view, and tying in with something I remember reading in this forum, that the mycelium started maybe in surrounding grass or whatever, then spread under the asphalt, found a lack of nutrients (there being no new organic matter put into the soil since the drive was laid) and decided to fruit in order to allow its spores "get outta here" and give its descendants a better chance somewhere else.

[fairplay]

If you were buried alive wouldn't you want to dig yourself out ?

The fungal mycelium was probably there in the first place, you would expect the mycelium to eventually do a 'U-Turn' and produce the sporophores in an easier location.

Does sex have a role ? Far fetched I know, but the human male will go to great lengths to satisfy his urges, so who knows what the mycelium is 'thinking' ? Is it an overwhelming need to reproduce. ? Is it easier for the mycelium to force it's way through tarmac than it is to turn around and try elsewhere. ?

Don't all answer at once.

Neil.

[juliejam]

Originally Posted by fairplay

If you were buried alive wouldn't you want to dig yourself out ?

The fungal mycelium was probably there in the first place, you would expect the mycelium to eventually do a 'U-Turn' and produce the sporophores in an easier location.

Does sex have a role ? Far fetched I know, but the human male will go to great lengths to satisfy his urges, so who knows what the mycelium is 'thinking' ? Is it an overwhelming need to reproduce. ? Is it easier for the mycelium to force it's way through tarmac than it is to turn around and try elsewhere. ?

Don't all answer at once.

Neil.

Im not even going to answer this one at all...

Julie