Page 65 - Tropic Magazine Issue 34

TROPIC • GARDENING

Fascinating fungi

IN THE GARDEN
As the wet season draws to a close, fungi are appearing in
Far North Queensland yards. Tropic has identified some
of the most curious in their class.

Luminous fungI
(Mycena Chlorophos)
Family: Mycenaceae
This bioluminescent fungi species is
common in rainforest and wet eucalypt
forest in north-east Queensland.
It’s among around 80 bioluminescent
species worldwide, which are thought
to glow to attract night flying insects to
spread their spores. The luminescence
comes from a compound generically
known as luciferin, which is oxidised in
the presence of the enzyme luciferase to Yellow bridal veil
produce light. (Dictyophora sp)
Golden top Family: Stinkhorn/gasteromycetes
(Psilocybe cubensis) Difficult to miss, not only due to their
Family: Hymenogastraceae phallic appearance, but also because of
Globally, 200 species of mushroom their smell. The bridal veil is actually
produce psilocybin – a natural LSD- pretty common, often popping up from
like psychoactive compound with wood chip mulch in gardens. The white
hallucinogenic effects. In Far North stalk, often with an orangey-brownish
Queensland, the golden top mushroom cap, is surrounded by a delicate lace veil.
is commonly found growing in cow It’s the spores – coated in brown slime on
or horse pats, sugar cane mulch or the cap – which give off the smell.
rich pasture soil. They appear from The scent has been likened to dead
November to April in the southern animals or sewage. It has a purpose,
hemisphere but be warned: though, attracting swarms of flies that
there are lookalikes that are deadly. distribute the spores.
1

Poison fire coral
(Podostroma cornu-damae)
Family: Coral fungi/Clavariaceae
Discovered in Australia for the first time just a few years ago in suburban Redlynch,
the beautiful but dangerous Poison Fire Coral comes with a serious warning:
look but don’t touch. Of the hundred or so toxic mushrooms that are known
to researchers, it’s the only one in which toxins can be absorbed through the skin,
causing severe irritation. To eat it, though, is potentially fatal. It can cause anything
from stomach pains to vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and numbness to delamination of
the skin and shrinking of the brain. 2

1. Luminous Mycena Chlorophos. Credit: Steve Noble
Did you know … 2. Poison fire coral. Credit: Ray Palmer
Most of a fungus organism (often 90% or more) is underground,
consisting of a network of microscopically thin threads which
spread through the soil. MORE: anbg.gov.au

65 • tropicnow.com.au