Portal:Fungi/Did you know

Fungi related facts that have appeared in the Did you know? column of the main page can be added here. Once a set has five facts, the random portal template component for did you knows should be updated on the main portal page.

Set 1

... that the mushroom Stropharia ambigua has been said to taste like old leaves?
... that a humongous fungus caused a media stir after it was reported to cover an area of 37 acres (15 ha), weigh at least 21,000 pounds (10,000 kg), and be 1,500 years old?}
... that the mushroom Cortinarius archeri is featured on the cover of the book Fungi of Southern Australia?
... that the mushroom Russula integra is a popular food in Northern Europe?
... that Spongiforma, a sponge-like bolete newly described in 2009, smells like coal tar?

Set 2

... that Cystoderma carcharias is considered an inedible fungus because of an unpleasant odor attributable to the presence of geosmin?
... that a collector said that the mushroom Suillus tomentosus tastes and smells like Tootsie Rolls when dried?
... that the word pyxidata in the mushroom name Clavaria pyxidata comes from the Greek word pyxis meaning "small box"?
... that the mushroom Amanita strobiliformis has been said to smell like bleaching powder?
... that English mycologist and plant pathologist R.W.G. Dennis has 40 fungal species named after him?

Set 3

... that the bleeding tooth fungus secretes a red juice that contains an anticoagulant similar in biological activity to heparin?
... that the pinwheel Marasmius releases its spores in response to rain, rather than circadian rhythm like other mushrooms?
... that the royal fly agaric was the German Mycological Society's "Mushroom of the Year" in 2000?
... that the fungal genus Polytolypa is known from a single specimen found growing on dung of the North American porcupine?
... that only eastern Northern American strains of the bitter oyster, a widely distributed mushroom species, are bioluminescent?

Set 4

... that the edible mushroom Hygrophorus agathosmus smells like almonds?
... that it is uncertain whether the brown and white American star-footed Amanitas are different species?
... that the rare Banksia verticillata is threatened by three fungi – aerial canker, dieback and honey mushroom?
... that the red pigment of the Christmas wreath lichen is one of several chemicals that help the organism survive inhospitable environments?
... that the cap of the suede bolete has soft velvety skin?

Set 5

... that the mushroom Cystodermella cinnabarina can only be distinguished from similar fungi by performing chemical tests and microscopic analysis of spores, basidia and cystidia?
... that the bolete eater which attacks boletes is actually another type of fungus?
... that the mushroom species Russula albidula is commonly known as the "boring white Russula"?
... that infection by pistil smut induces the development of female sex organs in a male?
... that hairy black cups use toxic chemicals to kill living things?

Set 6

... that Mycena nargan was so named because its white speckles were like the eyes of the nargun of Australian aboriginal myth?
... that the Lulworthiaceae are a family of marine fungi that typically grow on submerged wood or seaweed?
... that the fruiting structures of Conidiosporomyces fungi grow in the ovaries of various grass species?
... that species in the aquatic fungus family Loramycetaceae have spores with gelatinous sheaths thought to act as flotation devices?
... that Aliquandostipitaceae members have the widest hyphae in the Ascomycetes?

Set 7

... that consumption of the psychoactive mushroom Psilocybe argentipes by mice who compulsively bury marbles significantly inhibits this behaviour?
... that the mushroom Entoloma austroprunicolor of Tasmania's wet forests changes from bluish-purple, to reddish purple, to purplish grey as it ages?
... that Disciotis venosa, Hygrophorus subalpinus, Mycena overholtsii, Plectania nannfeldtii, Ramaria botrytis, and Clitocybe glacialis are all mushrooms that grow in or near snowbanks?
... that the spiny puffball, an edible fungus, can inhibit the growth of several bacteria pathogenic to humans?
... that Cantharellus lateritius may typically be distinguished from other chanterelles by its smooth under surface?

Set 8

... that Spinellus fusiger is a pin mold that parasitizes several species of mushrooms?
... that the mushrooms Boletus zelleri, B. mirabilis, Suillus americanus, S. brevipes, S. lakei, and Leccinum manzanitae are all examples of edible boletes?
... that application of iron salts will turn a white coral green?
... that despite its name, the edibility of the rhubarb bolete is unknown?
... that the mica cap mushroom has glistening particles on top that are remnants of a universal veil?

Set 9

... that several Armillaria species are bioluminescent?
... that the appearance of the decorated Pholiota at a 1994 North Carolina mushroom foray led to its re-classification two years later?
... that the agaric mushroom species Agaricus benesii is found under the pines of Monterey Cypress trees and bruises pinkish-red when injured?
... that Galerina sulciceps is considered the most toxic mushroom?
... that injuring Lactarius indigo will make it bleed a blue milk that slowly turns green?

Set 10

... that species in the fungal genus Wynnea (W. americana, pictured) have asci that are capped by a hinged operculum?
... that species in the fungal genus Ameliella have been found in the Skibotn area in central Northern Norway, a hotspot of lichen species diversity?
... that upon coming in contact with an alkali solution, the hairs of the fungus Microstoma floccosum will swell and then dissolve?
... that the grisette is enjoyed by cows?
... that the yellow earth tongue has been described as a fungus one is likely to find while looking for something else?

Set 11

... that in Mexico, the mushroom Boletus frostii is commonly known as panzia agria, which translates to "sour belly"?
... that the yellow wart is often confused with the fly agaric?
... that the largest specimens of the sandy stiltball fungus have been found growing in floodplains with halophilic vegetation?
... that Geastrum triplex is considered the largest of the earthstar fungi?
... that the puffball mushroom Calvatia sculpta has been described as "a cross between a geodesic dome and a giant glob of meringue"?

Set 12

... that the edible fungus Polyozellus multiplex has attracted research interest as a possible chemopreventative agent against stomach cancer?
... that the fungal genus Hericium includes the monkey's head fungus, used in Traditional Chinese medicine?
... that the rust fungus Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis is the first plant pathogen approved by the United States Department of Agriculture as a biological control agent?
... that the Eyelash Cup normally grows on rotten wood, but can sometimes be found on bracket fungi?
... that the false earthstar in the fungal family Astraeaceae can open and close its rays in response to changes in humidity?

Set 13

... that species in the fungal genus Rhodocollybia have spores that are dextrinoid?
... that colonization of mature black spruce trees by jelly drops helps protect them from future infection by rot-causing fungi?
... that Leucopaxillus albissimus, one of the larger mushrooms in the San Francisco Bay Area, has a fruiting body unusually resistant to decay?
... that the whitish powder found on the spore sac of the beaked earthstar is made of crystalline calcium oxalate?
... that the "wrinkled peach" mushroom requires light from the red end of the visible spectrum to induce fruiting?

Set 14

... that the fungus Helvella corium has been found growing on caustic spoil mounds of a soda factory and on uranium tailings?
... that the fungus Helvella acetabulum resembles a cabbage leaf?
... that extracts from the elastic saddle fungus can dissolve fibrin blood clots?
... that the powdery mildew fungus Phyllactinia guttata has gelatinous filaments thought to help it adhere to leaves?
... that the "Devil's Cigar" is a mushroom found only in Texas and Japan?

Set 15

... that the giant leucopax mushroom has bioactive compounds with antioxidative, antibiotic, and anti-cancer properties?
... that the Santa Rosa Island endemic lichen Caloplaca obamae is the first species to be named in honor of United States President Barack Obama?
... that the characteristic star-shaped dehiscence of the fungus Geastrum saccatum is thought to be due to the buildup of crystalline calcium oxalate?
... that the spores of the Column Stinkhorn fungus are formed as a bad-smelling gleba smeared on the inside of several column-like appendages?
... that mushroom species Mycena haematopus, also known as the "Bleeding Mycena", oozes a red latex when cut?

Set 16

... that the Golden-scruffy Collybia mushroom has been placed in 14 different genera?
... that although it produces its spores on gills, the mushroom Panus conchatus is more closely related to species with pores?
... that the spring orange peel fungus infects caches of pinecones collected by squirrels?
... that the lime-green waxy cap has a limited geographical distribution, having been collected only in California and Mexico?
... that Devil's Urn is a harbinger of spring?

Set 17

... that some species in the lichen genus Sticta can be used to assess the age of forests?
... that the stinkhorn fungus Pseudocolus fusiformis is commonly known as the stinky squid?
... that the mosaic puffball mushroom can bioaccumulate the trace metals copper and zinc?
... that coprophilous fungi are species of fungi that feed on animal feces?
... that the coprophilous mushroom Conocybe rickenii may be found in large numbers in gardens where horse manure has been used to enrich the soil?

Set 18

... that the German lichenologist and taxonomist Ferdinand Christian Gustav Arnold had a personal herbarium of 150,000 specimens?
... that Verpa bohemica is a saprobic species of fungi distinguished from other species by its enormous spores?
... that the cap of the thimble fungus, Verpa conica, resembles a thimble?
... that the hallucinogenic mushroom Psilocybe naematoliformis was first discovered in a tropical rain forest in the Uxpanapa Region of Veracruz, in southeastern Mexico?
... that phylogenetic relationships between the mushroom Bovista nigrescens and species of Lycoperdaceae were established based on ITS and LSU sequence data from north European taxa?

Set 19

... that while commonly found in central California, Agaricus lilaceps can sometimes be found at the campus of Stanford University under the eucalyptus located there?
... that Nidula niveo-tomentosa, a bird's nest fungus in the genus Nidula, produces a chemical that is a major component of raspberry flavor?
... that the white bird's nest mushroom Crucibulum laeve produces a chemical that inhibits an enzyme implicated in the formation of cataracts in individuals with diabetes mellitus?
... that the edibility of the small woodland mushroom Agaricus semotus is disputed, with some sources claiming edibility and others warning of gastrointestinal discomfort?
... that, despite being the type species of the genus Cortinarius, the colour of the mushroom Cortinarius violaceus is so dark it is only comparable with members of other genera?

Set 20

... that the flesh of the mushroom Russula fragilis tastes hot, while its smell is fruity?
... that the bitter and inedible mushroom Russula fellea smells of geraniums or apple sauce?
... that the grey knight is a small, edible mushroom that is often confused with the larger and poisonous dirty trich?
... that the highly regarded edible mushroom Cortinarius caperatus is known as the granny's nightcap in Finland?
... that depending on the author, the odor of the stinkhorn mushroom Phallus hadriani has been described as sweet, or fetid?

Set 21

... that though fruiting as a typical "little brown mushroom", Inocybe lacera is easily identifiable microscopically due to its extremely long, distinctive spores?
... that the hexagonal-pored polypore mushroom produces the antifungal polypeptide alveolarin?
... that several species in the mushroom order Pezizales, such as Geopyxis carbonaria, Peziza violacea, Peziza praetervisa, and Rhizina undulata, grow on burned-over ground?
... that the mushroom Lactarius quietus is found exclusively under oak trees in Europe?
... that a study of lichen growth in the Canadian Rockies showed that Xanthoria elegans expands at a rate of 0.5 mm per year for the first century before slowing down?

Set 22

... that Lactarius pallidus is typically found half-buried in leaf litter at the base of beech or birch trees?
... that the mushroom Cortinarius triumphans has a cap which is slimy in wet weather and sticky in dry?
... that detection of fungal infection by the wood-decay fungus Fuscoporia torulosa can be performed in six hours using the polymerase chain reaction?
... that applying potassium hydroxide to the blue and yellow Australian mushroom Cortinarius rotundisporus will turn it pinkish-purple?
... that the first reported sighting of the bird's nest fungus Cyathus helenae was on mountain scree in the Canadian Rockies?

Set 23

... that two species of bird's nest fungi, Cyathus olla and Cyathus stercoreus, have been researched for use in agriculture?
... that the cobalt crust fungus was selected as the German Mycological Society's fungus of the year in 2009?
... that because he misidentified the stalked lattice stinkhorn fungus as a new species, George Atkinson was ridiculed in print by fellow mycologist Curtis Gates Lloyd?
... that the stag's horn fungus contains a sugar binding protein with potent anti-tumor properties?
... that various species in the fungal genus Antrodia, used in Taiwan as traditional medicines, have been shown to have antioxidant and anticancer properties?

Set 24

... that despite its acrid taste, Lactarius vietus is edible after boiling?
... that wolf lichen, fungal species Letharia vulpina, was used historically as a wolf poison by combining it with powdered glass and meat?
... that species from Cookeina, a genus of cup fungi, are used in Peninsular Malaysia as fish bait?
... that consuming the elfin saddle mushroom would result in the harmful formation of monomethylhydrazine, a component of rocket fuel, in your body?
... that Tricholoma ustaloides, generally considered an inedible species of mushroom, is consumed by inhabitants of some Mexican communities?

Set 25

... that the Anglo-Dutch multinational Unilever has patented several antifreeze proteins produced by a species of kidney lichen, due to their ability to modify ice formation in frozen foods?
... that during his career Herman Phaff collected 6400 strains of yeast creating a collection containing 400 of the 700 identified species of yeast?
... that witches' butter is a jelly fungus that grows parasitically on a crust fungus?
... that the mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus is a good substitute for chicken?
... that Banksiamyces is a fungus that grow on the dead "cones" of Banksia species?

Set 26

... that the deadly skullcap may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, a coma, kidney failure, or even death within seven days after eating?
... that Lepiota castaneidisca mushrooms smell like cod-liver oil?

Set 27

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Set 28

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Set 29

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Set 30

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