10 Marvelous Mushroom Facts

1. Mushrooms are genetically closer to animals than they are to plants. 2. A bright orange mushroom named “Chicken of the Woods” tastes surprisingly like chicken. 3. Mushroom spores can survive in the vacuum and radiation of space. 4. Fungi have chemicals in their cell walls that are similar to lobsters and crabs. 5. The largest living organism on the planet is a mushroom. Nicknamed the “Humongous Fungus,“ it grows on over 2,400 acres of land. Scientists say it has indefinite growth potential. 6. Several species of mushrooms glow in the dark. These bioluminescent mushrooms contain light-emitting compounds called luciferins, causing them to glow and attract insects. 7. Mushrooms can create their own airflow to better disperse their spores. They create their own “wind“ by allowing their moisture to evaporate, which creates a little lift for the spores. 8. Over 350 million years ago, all land plants were just a few feet high, and mushrooms as high as 24 feet (7.3 m) and 3 ft (90 cm) wide flourished. 9. The death cap mushroom is one of the deadliest organisms on Earth. Just half of a death cap mushroom has enough toxins to kill an adult human. 10. In 2011, scientists discovered that some mushrooms can digest polyurethane plastic and convert it into organic matter. For more amazing mushroom facts, check out our article here: Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more amazing facts about the world and beyond: @FactRetriever