Fungi Fest

The fungal kingdom is vital to life 

Yet, more than 90% of the estimated 3.8 million fungi in the world are currently unknown to science.

They help trees talk to each other

Hidden underground, there’s a vast network that breaks down plant matter and dung, releasing essential nutrients back into the ground. This helps form a “wood wide web,” linking trees and allowing them to communicate with each other.

They can glow in the dark

It may sound odd, but some mushrooms are bioluminescent. This is thanks to luciferins, the same compounds that make fireflies light up at night and some sea creatures glow. This remarkable skill – known as foxfire – is used to attract insects.

They’re more like us than plants

A fungus is distinct from both plants and animals, as it exists in its own 'fungi kingdom.' Genetically, however, fungi are more akin to animals than to plants. Just like humans, they absorb oxygen and emit carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming in the process! Unlike plants, fungi don’t rely on sunlight for reproduction; they obtain their nutrients from other organisms, similar to how animals do.

Fungi-fabulous cleaners

Without the decomposing activities of saprotrophic fungi, we would disappear under a mountain of unrotted dead leaves and logs!

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