25 Fascinating Mushroom Facts You Probably Didn't Know

Welcome back, fungi fans. If you are joining us for the first time, we are happy you are here!

We wanted to do something a little different this week in the blog. We've compiled 25 less commonly known fungi facts to expand your knowledge! It was a blast putting these together and realizing what a wild and fascinating planet that we live on.

1. Fungi are more closely related to animals than plants on the evolutionary tree. 
2. The largest living organism on Earth is a honey fungus (Armillaria ostoyae) in Oregon, spanning over 2,385 acres.
3. Mushrooms can "breathe" oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide just like animals.
4. Some fungi can survive in extreme environments, including the Chernobyl exclusion zone, feeding on radiation.
5. Ophiocordyceps fungi can control the behavior of insects, essentially turning them into "zombies." 
6. The "mycelial network" underground can transfer nutrients between different plants, acting like a natural internet for forests.
7. Mushrooms can produce their own wind by releasing water vapor to change air currents, helping spread spores.
8. Some fungi glow in the dark (bioluminescent mushrooms like Panellus stipticus or Mycena chlorophos).
9. Truffles are fungi, not roots, and pigs (and even dogs) are trained to sniff them out due to their intense aroma.
10. Fungi were among the first life forms to colonize land, possibly before plants.
11. Certain fungi like Aspergillus tubingensis can digest plastic, offering hope for bioremediation.
12. Mushrooms can be used to make eco-friendly packaging that is compostable and replaces Styrofoam.
13. There's a species called Tremella mesenterica that looks exactly like bright yellow brain tissue. 
14. Fungi play a role in about 90% of all plant roots through symbiotic relationships called mycorrhizae.
15. Some edible mushrooms like the indigo milk cap bleed bright blue "milk" when cut.
16. Psilocybe azurescens is considered one of the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive mushrooms, found mostly in Oregon.
17. The spores of puffball mushrooms can be so fine that billions can fit into the volume of a sugar cube.
18. Certain desert fungi form crusts that prevent soil erosion and help retain water.
19. Some fungi form fairy rings, which expand outward in a perfect circle each year.
20. Lichens are not a single organism—they are a partnership between fungi and algae (or cyanobacteria).
21. Mushrooms like the veiled lady (Phallus indusiatus) are prized both for beauty and culinary uses in some cultures.
22. More than 80% of antibiotics, including penicillin, come from fungal sources.
23. The black truffle's smell mimics pheromones of male pigs, which is why female pigs are so drawn to them.
24. Some fungi can grow underwater in lakes and oceans.
25. A species called Cryptococcus neoformans can live in bird droppings and is capable of causing disease in humans—but it also inspires new medical research.

Did you know any of these fungi facts? We'd love to hear what mushroom facts have fascinated you! Share your favorite fungal trivia with us on Facebook or Instagram.