Thread:LysurusPeriphragmoides789/@comment-25565811-20161117115619/@comment-27388204-20161119000515

Sorry for the late answer Ffets, but here is my response.

First of all, I'm not a biologist, in fact I'm only 15 years old. Perhaps I've drawn more attention to my interest in animals and fungi, but my interest in plants is just as strong. In addition, there is no dispute as to whether fungi are animals or plants. They are most certainly neither, though due to the presence of chitin in their cell walls, they are actually considered more closely related to animals than plants. Btw, Lysurus Periphragmoides is just one species of stinkhorn. You will find that stinkhorns are actually an extremely diverse group of fungi, with a huge variety of utterly bizarre appearances (some of which resemble genitalia, but I assure you, that's not why I'm interested in them - I'm not that kind of person). I used to cultivate stinkhorns for the heck of it (they aren't generally considered good eating, with the exception of Phallus indusiatus ).

Onto your point about spiders, I am happy to hear you find them so fascinating. I'm not saying that everyone should love spiders; as long as people can accept and respect their place in the world, I'm happy. I love arachnids with a passion (though I will admit, centipedes are my favourite bugs).

Onto your questions regarding fungi. Mushrooms can be hard to identify, and in terms of deciding on good edible mushrooms, a mistake could be lethal. Morels are usually a safe and rewarding bet, but steer clear of the False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta), which is fatally poisonous. The King Bolete (Boletus edulis) is arguably the best edible mushroom around, and relatively easy to identify as well. I could go on forever listing edible fungi, but I'll cut it short and say that there are a huge variety of edible fungi out there, but there are also many inedible/toxic/lethal mushrooms. Flawless identification is essential.

Mushroom sporocarps (fruitbodies) form when the mycelium (the main part of a fungus, that thread like network) has flourished and hit a boundary (physical, such as a wall, or biological, such as another fungus). Anyway, that is one cause. Rain also triggers the formation of fruitbodies. As for which look pretty, well, that's a matter of opinion. I find the strange shapes, intricate structure and vibrant colours of the stinkhorns attractive in their own bizarre way, one which more than compensates for their appalling odour. Morels are quite attractively shaped IMO, and many Amanita species have some attractive colours (don't eat them though).

Now, regarding your question about the usage of mushrooms as drugs, mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe contain a psychoactive substance known as psilocybin. Due to their psychoactive properties, they are commonly called "magic mushrooms." I'm no expert on the medicinal usage of mushrooms, but I believe some Cordyceps species and Ganoderma lucidum are used for medicine in present day.

Hope you are satisfied by my attempts to answer your questions ;)

Have a great day.

L.P.789  Lord of the Arthropods  (send message)