Mycena species A research and realitycheck
Contents
1 M.crocata
2 M.galopus
3 M.haematopus
4 M.pura
5 M.rosea
6 M.sanguinolenta
7 M.stylobates
Introduction
On this webpage, we publish a summary of all the research and other things we have done with Mycena species, even if they did not lead directly to a work of art.
The genus Mycena is one of the most important contributors to bioluminescent agarics, (The genus Mycena s.l.) but within Europe no species are known to bioluminescence as fruitbodies or only with very low radiation. If there is bioluminescence mostly the mycelium is bioluminescent.
See the list of bioluminescent mushrooms on Wikipedia.
M.haematopus is in Europe the only fungus of this genus that apparently shows bioluminescent fruitbodies, if only with very low radiation.
Since this fungus can be found here in our forests, we wanted to see the bioluminescence with our own eyes, or if there is only very little light at least to be able to find out, or to be able to prove it with measurements.
We are equally fascinated by the bioluminescence of Mycelium. Why is it luminescent? There are some explanations and research concerning fruitbodies, but mycelium?
Mycelium can be well cultivated and observed under laboratory conditions.
This website represents a collection of all bioluminescent Mycena mushrooms that we have found in Switzerland.
Mycena crocata
Characteristics: exudes a safran-red juice when cut.
As far as we know, the mycelium of M. crocata has not yet been reported as bioluminescent.
Isolated wild M. crocata cultures (Clone cultures)
Cultures from spores
Until now, M.crocata was not known to be bioluminescent, but our cultures show bioluminescence. This was proof for us: The mycelium of Mycena crocata is bioluminescent.
After our discoveries and these initial investigations we wanted to reproduce and describe this finding again.
In collaboration with Renate Heinzelmann and the WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research), the following publication was published by Mycoscience:
Is the bioluminescence in many Mycena species overlooked? – A case study from M. crocata in Switzerland
Renate Heinzelmann, Heidy Baggenstos, Andreas Rudolf
Mycena crocata Grain spawn
Grain spawn recipe:
- 500g spelt (or grain mix) Soaked in water for 12-24 hours
- Cook the grains for 10 minutes
- Drain the cooked grain
- (for wood-lovers) add 80g (10%) sawdust
- 6g gypsum
- 100ml - 200ml water
- Sterilise in a pressure cooker for 60 to 70 min.
When the grain spawn is well overgrown, the mycelium may become stunted in its growht.
Now it is ready for stage 3 and should be moved to a next substrate, the fruiting substrate.
Depending on the species being cultivated, this final substrate is composed differently. For example species that grow in nature on wood, they tend to prefer wood-based substrates, others need a different substrate composition.
As M. crocata grows naturally on decaying branches and trunks, we tried out a wood-based fruiting substrate to fruit mushrooms.
Unfortunately we have not yet succeeded in growing M. crocata fruiting bodies.
Recipe for fruiting substrate
| Wood chips | 16% |
|---|---|
| Wheat bran | 8.5% |
| Sawdust | 33% |
| Gypsum | 1.3% |
| Water | 41% |
- The wood chips are completely covered with cold water and soaked overnight
- Let the wood chips drain for 15 minutes
- Fill all the ingredients into sterilizable bags and mix well
- Sterilise in a pressure cooker for 60 to 70 min.
- Let cool down
- Add to each substrate bag under the cleanest possible conditions (sterile) from the grain brood
- Store the inoculated substrate in a dark and clean place
- It could be beneficial to reshake the bag after 5–7 days
- After 2-3 weeks the substrate should have grown through with mycelium
- Ready for for the fruiting phase
In the amazing book RADICAL MYCOLOGY
from Peter McCoy you will find exact details and procedures for grain spawn and other substrates.
(The Website of RADICAL MYCOLOGY).
You can also find very good information for recipes in the publication Mind the Fungi
from Art Laboratory Berlin.
Mycena galopus
Characteristics: exudes a milky white fluid when cut.
The mycelium of this genus is bioluminescent.
An attempt to cultivate M.galopus fruiting bodies starting from pure cultures of mycelium
It would be very practical if it were possible to cultivate fruiting bodies from mycelial cultures. Then it would be easy to determine the species of fungus.
M. galopus grow on all kinds of forest litter from early summer to early winter.
Because it is not a wood fungus, we made a fruiting substrate consisting mainly of leaves.
Unfortunately we have not yet succeeded in growing M.galopus fruiting bodies.
Fruiting substrate for M. galopus
| Leaves | |
|---|---|
| Beechnuts | |
| Hemp sections | |
| Wheat bran | |
| Flour | 1 tablespoon | Glucose | 1 tablespoon | Potato infusion water | 41% |
Mycena haematopus
Characteristics: exudes a dark red-brown fluid when cut.
Bioluminescence?
Are the basidiomes of M.haematopus really luminescent, as often mentioned?
In the publication LOW-LEVEL BIOLUMINESCENCE DETECTED IN MYCENA HAEMATOPUS BASIDIOCARPS from 1992
Mycena haematopus was reported as low level bioluminescent in the basidiocarps of M.haematopus.
The specimens were collected and examined photometrically.
We think the emitted light is most likely at intensity not perceivable by human eyes. Perhaps it cannot even be made visible with long exposure photography.
Betwenn 2020 and 2022 we tried to detect bioluminescence in many different M.haematopus mushrooms with long time exposure. But we could not detect the slightest light development, the pictures always remained pitch black.
The M. haematopus mycelium that we cultivated in petri dishes is visible bioluminescent.
In 2022 we started to measure randomly M.haematopus caps with a luminometer. We have never been able to detect luminescence, except for three findings this fall.
Two times, we found mushroom caps showing very well Luminescence. One time it was only a very few light detectable.
It still remains mysterious which ones show luminescence and which does not.
Im SwissFungi Newsletter Nr. 16 erschien ein kurzer Bericht über das Leuchten von M. haematopus:
ganz nach unten scrollen zu:
Wussten Sie, dass…?
Mycena pura
Characteristics: A collybioid Mycena with a raphanoid smell.
The smell is quite intense and has something fresh and a hint of fruitiness. We liked it very much and had the idea to try to capture the smell. We managed pretty well to capture it in almond oil. The fruitiness and freshness has diminished somewhat, but is still present.
So far, we have failed to grow pure cultures of M.pura. A second attempt is needed.
The mycelium of this genus is reported bioluminescent.
Mycena rosea
We succeeded in producing one pure culture. Unfortunately, the pure culture is not luminescent.
Actually, it should be, because the mycelium of M.rosea is considered luminezent. Perhaps we have misidentified the mushroom and it is not a M.rosea at all. Or it is due to the medium used.
Mycena sanguinolenta
Characteristics: exudes a dark red-brown fluid when cut.
The mycelium of this genus is reported bioluminescent.
Mycena stylobates
A rather small Mycena springing from a prominent, basal disc with a ciliate margin.
The mycelium of this genus is reported bioluminescent.
We could observe how the fruiting body of M. stylobates sometimes grows directly from luminous leaf spots.
