Fungus Amongst Us

Meet Omphalotus illudens – the Jack-O-Lantern mushroom.  

It is reasonably common east of the Rocky Mountains and is often found in urban habitat.  West of the Rockies it is rare.  It sprouts from dead tree limbs and stumps and is characterized by the bright orange color and distinctive clusters. 

To the untrained eye this fungus looks like a chanterelle.  However, unlike the edible chanterelles this fungus contains the toxin illuden S and is poisonous to humans.  While it may not kill you – you are sure to come down with a wicked-bad course of cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.  Ugh. 

Notable to this mushroom is an attribute that just might lead you home in the dark woods at night.  It glows in the dark.  Yup, it has  bioluminescent properties.  The whole mushroom does not glow—just the gills.  They contain the enzyme called luciferase, which acts upon a compound called luciferin, leading to an eerie green glow.  The process is similar to the light produced by fireflies.