Fungi Scavenger Hunt
THERE IS SO MUCH FUNGUS AMONG US
FUNGUS #1: Lichen
I found this lichen growing on a tree on the property of the North Florida Regional Hospital. The tree was by a huge pond, but the tree was not in the middle of an area of lush vegetation. However, this stand alone tree provided a perfect home for this fungus.
This lichen is not harming the tree, although it is using it as a place to grow. The lichen is not parasitic and therefore there is no harm to this green fungus growing here!
FUNGUS #2: Basidomycota
I found this fungus growing on a rotting tree trunk, also on the hospital's property. The environment it was in was very damp and this tree trunk was in a cluster of thicker vegetation than the lichen's host tree was.
There is no harm in this fungus being here, considering the tree had already been chopped down and all that was left was the stump of the trunk. If anything, this fungus is beneficial and breaking down the plant material into organic matter as it grows in and on it!
After a while of fungus hunting outdoors, I became stumped and could not find anymore fungi to take pictures of. Until...
FUNGUS #3: Ascomycota
The third and final fungus I found out in my community was found at my sorority house, in an unlikely area. While reading the chapter, I realized that the blue mold used in cheese is actually a fungus. During dinner I came across the presence of none other than BLUE CHEESE!
This fungus, Penicillium roqueforti, is used in cheeses to create the blue streaks. There is absolutely no harm in consuming this fungus, making it a perfectly safe addition in order to give this food that classic bitter taste.