Shroom in the bathroom

“There’s a mushroom in the bathroom,” said Abby in a frenzy. “Let’s wipe it out with a broom, zip zap zoom,” added his older sister Iddi poetically. “Not funny Iddi. I am serious. Come look,” said Abby.

“This is indeed a mushroom,” said Iddi. “Exactly. I thought mushrooms grow in the woods or in special farms,” said Abby. “That is correct, but not always necessary. Mushrooms are a kind of fungi (plural of fungus). These are living things that cannot make their own food. So, to thrive, they need to depend on other living matter,” said Iddi. “Fungi can either break down organic matter such as wood, starch, and other things to get energy. Or harm their host organism to get nutrition,” she added. 

“Oh, so fungi get food through different ways. The other day you threw away that lemon with that fuzzy blue-green spot and that bread with the black fuzzy thing? Are they all also fungi? They look so different from mushrooms,” remarked Abby. 

“Fungi are very diverse. Mushrooms, mould (the fuzzy things), and yeast are different types of fungi. There is a lot of diversity in each of these kinds too. Many of these fungi are edible but others are poisonous,” said Iddi. 

“For example, the red mushroom with white spots that we see in cartoons. They are a kind of mushroom that you cannot eat. They are poisonous, but very pretty looking,” she added. “Some fungi are made of one cell, while others of many cells. For example, the yeast used to make bread, fermented foods, and beverages, is a fungus with a single cell,” she added further. 

“Ok, but how do these fungi reach the lemons or bread?” asked Abby. “The air and environment around us have many microscopic fungal spores. Just like seeds, when these spores find the right conditions they germinate. In case of mushrooms and many other fungi, spores first grow into thread-like structures. These then form a mass that looks like a haystack. Mushrooms are like fruits that grow out of this under the right conditions. They release spores and the cycle repeats,” said Iddi.

“Ok. But what is the fungus eating in the bathroom?” asked Abby. “Come let us look carefully. First observe where the mushroom is growing. See, it is growing near the wooden door. Also, there is a lot of moisture in the bathroom, and the temperature is just right,” said Iddi.

“Oh, so here they are breaking down parts of the door. And that carpet-like thing below our door is the fungal mass,” said Abby. “Exactly,” said Iddi. “I like mushrooms in my food very much. But I have realised that they are bad, smelly, and stinky damagers,” remarked Abby. “No Abby, that is not true. It is fungi that break down dead things and help add nutrients back to the soil. Fungi break down things to survive. However, in that process some turn out to be harmful,” said Iddi. 

“And there are many beneficial fungi. These are used as food, in food production, to synthesise antibiotics, and the list goes on. Yes, you cannot eat many kinds of moulds, but they are helpful to make antibiotics. Some moulds are also used to make blue cheese,” she added. 

“We can find fungi in various places. They are deep in the ocean, in Antarctica, and in hot springs. There are fungi in our body too, on our skin, in our mouth, and in our gut,” she added. “In our gut? You said that they break down complex substances. Do they help with digestion there too?,” asked Abby. “They do. But not just digestion, the fungi in our gut also have a role in immunity and overall health. Fungi are also found in the gut of many other organisms. In cows, gut fungi help breakdown plant fibers,” said Iddi.

“Iddi, fungi are so cool. Tell me more about fungi,” said Abby. “Sure. Imagine staying in a house made with living construction materials. Or using living packing materials. Or flower-based leather,” said Iddi. “Iddi, what does fungi have to do with all this?” asked Abby. “Abby, scientists and designers are using the fungal mass that I told you about earlier to make all these things. The fungal mass can be grown on biodegradable waste. This can help with waste management,” said Iddi.  

“And how about fungi as night lights?” asked Iddi. “Glow in the dark fungi? You are just teasing me,” said Abby laughing. “No, Abby. This is true. Some fungi have chemicals that help them glow in the dark. Some of these are found in our country in Northeast India and in the Western Ghats. The locals use these fungi as natural guiding lights to help navigate forests,” said Iddi.

“And some fungi are colour factories. The fungi found inside lac insects help produce the red-coloured lac dye. This dye is used in food colouring, textile dyeing, folk art, and handicrafts,” she added.

“Woah. Fungi are amazing,” said Abby. “Yes. But this is just the beginning. There is so much more to discover about them,” said Iddi.