A Brief History

Mushrooms or fungi have been on our planet for a very long time. In fact, scientists believe that 400 million years ago the Earth’s landscape was covered by fungi that could grow up to 20 feet tall and 3 feet wide, called prototaxites. During this same period, most of the trees on Earth only grew to a height of several feet. Fossils of these gigantic fungi were first discovered in the late 19^th century and sparked many debates about Earth’s ancient landscape. That is, until scientists agreed that the Earth was indeed overwhelmed by fungi 400 million years ago.

No Roots

Unlike plants with root systems, mushrooms grow mycelium huge networks of underground fibers. The mycelium fibers provide water and nutrients to the mushroom as well as surrounding plants. The largest living organism known to mankind is a 3.5 square mile network of mycelium in Malheur National Forest, Oregon. Within a forest, mushrooms and surrounding plants maintain a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship. The plants tap into the mycelium and receive increased amounts of water and nutrients. In exchange, the mushrooms will receive carbohydrates produced by the plant during photosynthesis.

Mushrooms and Trees

A good example of mushrooms’ symbiotic relationship with the plant kingdom is the relationship between mushrooms and trees. Through the mushrooms mycelium, live trees will receive additional water and nutrients from sources out of reach from tree’s roots. Dead trees are an excellent source of nutrients and mushrooms will slowly break down and consume parts of the tree. The mycelium then redistributes the nutrients taken from the dead tree to surrounding plants. Unlike most plants, mushrooms have a unique ability to break down nutrients from dead organic material. Plus, mushrooms respire by taking in oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide which is completely opposite from all other plants. The stark similarities between mushrooms and organisms from the animal kingdom links back to the Paleozoic era.

Paleozoic Era

Scientists have concluded that animals split from fungi, the first complex forms of living organisms, during the Paleozoic era. On the scale of evolution, we are closer in relation to fungi than we are to plants. Could this be the reason why mushrooms possess unique health benefits that cannot be found in any vegetables? Many vegetarians use mushrooms as a meat substitute to create incredibly healthy and tasty vegetarian dishes. Some mushrooms contain high amounts of vitamin D that are normally found meat and dairy.

Vitamin D

Mushrooms have the unique ability to store vitamin D within its cells by converting ultraviolet light into vitamin D2. Unlike most vegetables, mushrooms do not use photosynthesis as a source of energy and the vitamin D produced by exposure to ultra-violet lights remains inside the mushroom. However, mushrooms do not require light to grow and when grown in low light conditions the mushrooms will contain little to no vitamin D2. Commercial mushroom cultivators generally use low light conditions to grow mushrooms to maximize efficiencies. The amount of beneficial compounds found within a mushroom will vary depending on the cultivation methods.

Mushroom Pizza

The facts about mushrooms are fairly straightforward and simple. Mushrooms are one of the oldest living organisms, provide unique health benefits, possess an abundance of vitamins and minerals, and as long as the mushroom is not the poisonous type you can eat it. Around the world many cultures still rely on mushrooms for the medicinal purposes as well as nutrition. Here on the North American continent we use mushroom for job nature intended, pizza toppings! But we are beginning to realize the true benefits as science continues to unlock one of nature’s best kept secrets, the mushroom.