I bought a glowing plant. It led me down a rabbit hole of radiant mushrooms, 19th century experiments and a modern rivalry between scientists in Russia and the Americas.

I bought a glowing plant. It led me down a rabbit hole of radiant mushrooms, 19th century experiments and a modern rivalry between scientists in Russia and the Americas.

  • perestroika@slrpnk.net
    3·
    4 months ago

    Interesting article, thank you. :)

    I wouldn’t get one for myself because I have lots of big plants (hazel, cherry and sea-buckthorn), but it makes me wonder - why did some species of fungi start glowing? Did they do it by accident, for no good reason?

    • Steve@slrpnk.netOPM
      3·
      4 months ago

      The enzymes that create Bioluminescence are called Lucifererins. Various animals have them for different reasons like protection . There seems to be debate about why exactly they evolved in so many species of fungi . It says here

      Why did certain fungi evolve to glow in the dark? One prevailing theory is spore dispersal, as mentioned. Insects and other small creatures, lured by the glow, inadvertently pick up spores and transport them to new locations. However, there’s another intriguing theory: it’s a method to deter herbivores. The glow could signal potential toxicity, steering clear grazers that might otherwise feast on the mushroom.

      Another fascinating hypothesis posits that bioluminescence helps the mushroom conserve energy. By emitting light, the fungi might attract insects that feed on its competitors, giving the glowing mushroom a survival edge.