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 Greekword pyxis meaning "small box"?
- ... that the mushroom bleaching powder?
- ... that English R.W.G. Dennis has 40 fungalspecies 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 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 ?
- ... 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 boletehas 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 female sex organsin 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 ovaries of various grassspecies?
- ... that species in the aquatic fungus family Loramycetaceae have spores with gelatinous sheaths thought to act as flotation devices?
- ... that Ascomycetes?
Set 7
- ... that consumption of the Psilocybe argentipesby 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 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 classificationtwo years later?
- ... that the Monterey Cypresstrees 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 knownas panzia agria, which translates to "sour belly"?
- ... that the yellow wart is often confused with the fly agaric?
- ... that the largest specimens of the halophilicvegetation?
- ... that 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 plant pathogen approved by the United States Department of Agriculture as a biological control agent?
- ... that the bracket fungi?
- ... that the Astraeaceae can open and close its rays in response to changes in humidity?
Set 13
- ... that species in the dextrinoid?
- ... that colonization of mature black spruce trees by jelly drops helps protect them from future infection by rot-causing fungi?
- ... that fruiting bodyunusually 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 "?
Set 15
- ... that the , 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 ?
- ... 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 forests?
- ... that the stinkhorn fungus Pseudocolus fusiformisis commonly known as the stinky squid?
- ... that the ?
- ... that fungi that feed on animal feces?
- ... that the coprophilous mushroom Conocybe rickenii may be found in large numbers in gardens where horse manurehas been used to enrich the soil?
Set 18
- ... that the German taxonomist Ferdinand Christian Gustav Arnold had a personal herbariumof 150,000 specimens?
- ... that 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 ?
- ... that phylogenetic relationships between the 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 flavor?
- ... that the white bird's nest mushroom 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 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 "spores?
- ... that the polypeptidealveolarin?
- ... 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 oak treesin Europe?
- ... that a study of Xanthoria elegansexpands at a rate of 0.5 mm per year for the first century before slowing down?
Set 22
- ... that trees?
- ... that the Cortinarius triumphans has a capwhich 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 German Mycological Society's fungusof 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 anti-tumorproperties?
- ... that various species in the anticancerproperties?
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 cup fungi, are used in Peninsular Malaysiaas 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 cod-liver oil?