Fungal Bioluminescence.

Lancashire Lad · #1 (**permalink**) 15-07-2009, 10:31 AM

I've just been reading an interesting article regarding fungal bioluminescence. Apparently, this phenomenon is well known, (not by me it wasn't

), and members of the Honey fungus Armillaria genus, are among the most likely to emit light.

The book suggests that the light given out by Armillaria mellea is easily visible, (although not during daylight), emanating from the fungal mycelia. The strongest light being seen from freshly broken rotting wood.

Apparently the light, (produced without heat), is caused by the chemical luciferin, which is rich in phosphorus, combining with oxygen in the presence of an enzyme

According to the article, many other fungi exhibit this phenomenon, including: - Flammulina velutipes, Hypholoma fasciculare, Xylaria hypoxylon, Heterobasidion annosum, & Mycena pura.

I havent found any threads on WAB discussing this, and was wondering if any of you have seen the phenomenon, or if it might be worth a trip to the woods in the dead of night?

Regards,
Mike.

PS - Just in case anyone's interested, the article is in the Collins book "Mushroom Miscellany" by Patrick Harding. Currently available at branches of retail stationers "The Works" at £3.99, instead of the published price of £14.99.