Fungi are often overlooked and considered unimportant, but they play a vital role in our world. They are the decomposers, breaking down organic matter and helping to recycle nutrients in the ecosystem. They also play a role in agriculture, helping plants to absorb nutrients and acting as symbionts. But despite their importance, most of us don’t think about fungi very much. They are largely invisible, only appearing in the form of fruiting bodies such as mushrooms, and unless you are a mycologist or a gardener, you might not even notice them.
But there is much more to the world of fungi than meets the eye. Not all fungi produce fruiting bodies, and some also produce tiny structures on a microscopic scale. For example, the conidia structure of a soil-dwelling fungus that will never produce a mushroom above the ground. Additionally, not all mushrooms are the same, they belong to different categories of fungi with different strategies to reproduce. Some mushrooms, like the fly agaric Amanita muscaria, produce spores on a layer of cells called bersedia which line the outside of the mushrooms gills and when they are ready and mature, they just drop off and blow in the wind. Others like the scarlet elf cup does not have any gills at all.
Another example of fungi that is not often seen is the truffle. Truffles are underground fruiting bodies and unless you go to a restaurant, you are probably not going to think about them. But this does not make them less important, truffles are a valuable food source for animals and humans alike.
Fungi also have many practical applications for humans. The mold on a loaf of bread is an example of Penicillium, a source material for antibiotics. Many species of fungi are also used in the production of food and beverages, such as yeasts used in brewing beer and fermenting foods.
The world of fungi is vast and diverse, with many different strategies for reproduction and survival. They are essential for the ecosystem and have many practical applications for humans. Next time you see a mushroom or mold, take a moment to appreciate the complexity and importance of the fungi kingdom, the “invisible kingdom”.