That Fungal Glow

By Christina Quick

During a recent mushroom foray with Master Naturalists Mark Bower and Elise Bowsher, I encountered the bitter oysterling, Panellus stipticus. The latter part of the name derives from "styptic," an allusion to the mushroom’s reputed topical use as an astringent.

This inedible saprotroph is also sometimes bioluminescent. As Mark explained, only a few of these mushrooms glow. In fact, most samples found outside of the eastern United States do not have this genetic trait.

The purpose of the occasional bioluminescence is unknown. One hypothesis is that it attracts insects that play a role in spreading spores. Another possibility is that the light wards off certain pests or competing fungi. There are other bioluminescent mushrooms as well, including the jack-o’-lantern (Omphalotus illudens), which is found throughout Missouri.

Much of the fungal world is still shrouded in mystery. Scientists and citizen scientists are continually making new discoveries through initiatives like MycoMap, a North American genetic sequencing survey to which Mark, Elise, and some other members of the Missouri Master Naturalist Springfield Plateau chapter contribute.

A couple of weeks after my introduction to the bitter oysterling, I spotted it again in a different location and took home a stick covered with the little fruiting bodies. To my amazement, an eerie glow became visible soon after I placed the stick in a dark room.

I told Mark about my discovery, and he offered to photograph it for me. A few hours after I handed off the sample to him, Mark emailed two stunning images of the luminous mushrooms.

Glowing Panellus stipticus (M. Bower)

For years, Mark has been studying, photographing, and sharing the strange and beautiful members of kingdom Fungi. An exhibit of his work is on display at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center through the end of November. It features a diverse and colorful array of mushrooms and ethereal slime molds. An accompanying binder offers detailed information about each species.

Mark's exhibit at the Nature Center

After visiting the exhibit in late October, my husband and I went for a walk in the woods. Recent rains had yielded just enough moisture to promote mushroom growth. I quickly spotted oysters, honey mushrooms, and a resinous polypore, all of which I stopped to observe and admire.

The more I learn about these remarkable organisms, the more fascinated I become. Curiosity draws me to moss-covered stream beds and rotting logs in pursuit of fungal secrets. Wherever I go, this wild and wonderful world is hiding in plain sight — living, adapting, and even glowing all around me.

Bird's nest fungus photo on exhibit (M. Bower)

Ramaria coral fungus photo on exhibit (M. Bower)

Barb's Yard

My wife Barbara Kipfer has planted 90+ species of native plants in our quarter acre Springfield yard in the Ravenwood neighborhood, seen at the red spot below.  We are surrounded by lots with close cropped lawns and a few decorative plants, mostly non-native species. After a few years of her tending to the plants, we have had nature move in.  Add a few bird feeders to supplement the insects that are attracted by the plants and we have a private nature center outside our back door.

This drone video demonstrates what a small area the yard covers. Although surrounded by typical urban yards, nature has found a way to find a home in the city.  In addition to squirrels, chipmunks and a rabbit family, skinks and fence lizards patrol our deck and five different butterflies visit in season. We have counted 25 species of birds on our feeders and our species list continues to grow.

This is all my wife's work while I simply fill the bird feeders and enjoy the sights.  If this piques your interest, checkout the Missouri Prairie Foundation's Grow Native website. It is important to get out into nature, but it is also fun to bring nature home to your yard.