Medicinal Mushrooms

I'm a frequent contributor to Wikipedia, particularly in fungal-related topics. "Did you know" features interesting facts from recently written articles. I'd thought I'd save my DYK appearances here so they don't fade off into obscurity. All are related to fungi, but not necessarily to medicinal fungi. Clinking on the links will take you to the respective Wikipedia pages.

• … that the "bleeding tooth fungus" is a member of the woody toothed fungus genus Hydnellum?

• … that the so-called "lobster mushroom" is a delicacy created by one fungus, Hypomyces lactifluorum, parasitising another, usually Russula brevipes?

• … that Psilocybe montana, the type species of the well-known genus of hallucinogenic mushrooms, does not contain any psychedelic compounds?

• … that the fungus Albatrellus subrubescens was first collected from Florida and Czechoslovakia?

• … that the soil-dwelling nematode-killing fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus has been known to cause human eye infections?

• … that species from the underground-dwelling mushroom genus Gautieria are the preferred food source of the Northern flying squirrel?

• … that the small bright-blue mushroom Entoloma hochstetteri is featured on the reverse side of the New Zealand $50 bank note?

• … that the Sclerodermataceae, a family of fungi, contains species with common names such as "hard-skinned puffballs", "earthstars" and "prettymouths"?

• … that the edible mushroom Agaricus abruptibulbus grows better in the presence of the normally toxic element cadmium?

• … that mushrooms of the genus Calostoma are sometimes called "prettymouth" because of peristome tissue that appears on them when they expand?
• … that the fungus Podaxis is often used as face paint by the Australian Aborigines?
• … that puffballs of fungal genus Bovista have been used in homeopathic medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments?
• … that species of "cannonball fungi" genus Sphaerobolus may forcibly eject their spores a horizontal distance of 6 meters?
• … that the oak mazegill fungus Daedalea quercina has been used as a horse-comb and as a bee anesthetic?
• … that filamentous fungi of genus Geomyces have been implicated in White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease causing high mortality in bats?
• … that the Indian Paint fungus (Echinodontium tinctorium), a member of the fungal family Echinodontiaceae, was used by Native Americans to make red pigments?
• … that the "noble polypore" (mushroom species Bridgeoporus nobilissimus) was the first fungus to be listed as endangered by any private or public agency in the United States?
• that species Fuligo septica, called the "dog-vomit slime mold", can tolerate unusually high levels of the metal zinc?
• … that wood infected by the "green elfcup" fungus, species Chlorociboria aeruginascens, is used in the manufacture of decorative inlaid woodwork like Tunbridge wareand parquetry?
• … that the "lung lichen", species Lobaria pulmonaria, has been used for dyeing,tanning, perfume manufacturing, and brewing?
• … that tree moss, lichen species Pseudevernia furfuracea, was used in ancient Egyptian embalming?
• … that the specific epithet of the mushroom species Crepidotus versutus is derived from the Latin word meaning "clever"?
• … that bird's nest fungi from the genus Crucibulum (Crucibulum laeve pictured) rely on falling rain to help disperse their spores?
• … that some members of the fungal family Orbiliaceae can lasso nematodes using outgrowths of their hyphae?
• … that when it was first described in the late 1600s, the earthstar fungus Geastrum fornicatum was named Fungus anthropomorphus for its resemblance to the human form?
• … that species in the fungal genus Cyathus produce bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidative properties?
• … that the "orange tooth" fungus, Hydnellum aurantiacum, is considered critically endangered in the United Kingdom?
• … that the putrid stench of the "latticed stinkhorn" fungus Clathrus ruber (pictured) attracts insects to help disperse its spores?
• … that immature specimens of the lantern stinkhorn fungus (pictured), with an odor of dog feces, sewage, or rotting flesh when mature, are considered an edible and medicinal delicacy in China?
• … that "pig's ears", fungal species Gomphus clavatus, are the only Gomphus species in North America?
• … that the "scarlet elf cup", fungal species Sarcoscypha coccinea (pictured), has been used medicinally by the Oneida First Nations people?
• … that the fungus Humaria hemisphaerica is commonly known as the "hairy fairy cup"?
• … that consuming the elfin saddle mushroom would result in the harmful formation of monomethylhydrazine, a component of rocket fuel, in your body?
• … that the white coral fungus Clavulina cristata (pictured) contains the conjugated fatty acid α-parinaric acid?
• … that Tricholoma ustaloides (pictured), generally considered an inedible species of mushroom, is consumed by inhabitants of some Mexican communities?
• … that the orange webcap mushroom (pictured) can bioaccumulate the toxic element mercury?
• … that species from Cookeina (pictured), a genus of cup fungi, are used in Peninsular Malaysia as fish bait?
• … that the wolf lichen, fungal species Letharia vulpina (pictured), was used historically as a wolf poison by combining it with powdered glass and meat?
• … that various species in the fungal genus Antrodia, used in Taiwan as traditional medicines, have been shown to have antioxidant and anticancer properties?
• … that the stag's horn fungus contains a sugar binding protein with potent anti-tumor properties?
• … that because he misidentified the stalked lattice stinkhorn fungus (pictured) as a new species, George Atkinson was ridiculed in print by fellow mycologist Curtis Gates Lloyd?

All text and images on this post are licensed under the Gnu Free Documentation License (GFDL). Last updated: 07-February-2009