Mycena Chlorophos l Remarkable Fungus

Mycena Chlorophos Facts

This truly extraordinary variety of fungus remains known to researchers around the world by its relatively unassuming scientific name of the Mycena Chlorophos. For the moment, the remarkable species has no generally accepted common name. That fact’s slightly unusual.
Only the name of the awesome creation of Nature and evolution fails to impress those who encounter it or learn of it, however. That’s because this fascinating fungus actually represents one of the handful of known related species that actually displays a natural luminescence.
The first recorded scientific description of the mind-boggling Mycena Chlorophos occurred in the year 1860. This scientifically noteworthy deed occurred as a result of the combined efforts of the English researcher Miles Berkeley, and the American botanist, Moses Ashley Curtis.
Most unfortunately, though, scientists still do not possess a significant amount of information about this incredible work of Nature. This regrettable lack of knowledge principally occurs due to the somewhat surprising combination of it short duration and limited territorial range.
Thankfully, the remarkable form of life appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. That pleasant state of affair also seems to hold true throughot the entirety of its native range. The IUCN therefore currently does not show it on its own Red List.
Nevertheless, the wondrous fungus still faces multiple potential threats to its continued existence as a species. In this, it faces the same dangers as all forms of life on earth today. Most of these perils stem from the actions of man, including habitat loss and climate change.

Icicle Mushroom, Hericium — Icicle Mushroom

Mycena Chlorophos Physical Description

Regardless of its other claim to fame, the Mycena Chlorophos represents a comparatively small variety of mushroom. Thankfully, though, Nature often demonstrates that physical size has absolutely no bearing on the impressiveness of its many creations, wherever they happen to appear.

Intriguingly, the size of its thin stalk actually varies quite significantly between individual examples. This typically develops as slender, cylindrical, sometimes slightly curved. In nature, however, this part of the wonder evolved as relatively smooth, mostly hollow, and the same coloration as the cap.

A number of features also appear on the cap itself. Commonly known as gills, these attachments space themselves relatively distant, when compared to related species. The overall basic background coloring of these generally consists of various shades of off-whitish to a pale greenish hue.

The aforementioned cap attains an average width that varies greatly between specimens. In most cases, though, this runs between 0.3 – 1.2 in (8 – 30 mm). The shape of this feature changes over time. It starts convex, but becomes flattened with age, sometimes with a small central depression.

Yet it’s without doubt the color aspects of the remarkable Mycena Chlorophus that usually garner the most attention. The smooth surface of the cap often appears translucent, with one able to see the gills through its margins. These parts of it show pale greenish to yellowish-brown in daylight.

Nature also blessed this wonder with one very special attribute that clearly sets it apart from most its kindred across the globe. All sections of the Mycena display a bright luminescence! While all portions glow a dazzling green in the dark, the cap’s typically the brightest part of the fungus.

Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Mycenaceae
Genus: Mycena
Species: M. chlorophos

Mycena Chlorophos Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The mesmerizing marvel that’s the Mycena Chlorophos grows endemically only in a very limited area of the world. This consists of portions of subtropical Asia. More precisely, these sections include the countries of Taiwan, Polynesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and the island of Java, in Indonesia.

To the amazement of some who learn of it, though, this mushroom also grows in other, completely different parts of the globe. In fact, these alternate zones include small portions of Brazil and Australia. However, experts believe that humans accidentally transported it to those locations.

Most fortunately for it, the intriguing wonder of evolution also possesses yet another trait working in its favor. Within these widely different ranges, the species appears to have evolved as highly adaptable. As a result of this evolutionary advantage, it may be found in a variety of forest habitats.

Wherever it appears, though, it nonetheless displays a decidedly strong and clear preference for a specific type of environment. That’s due to the fact that it appears almost exclusively among areas composed of woody debris. This most often includes pieces of fallen bark, branches, and twigs.

The bioluminescence for which it remains best known, however, doesn’t last for an extended period. In point of fact, it’s most pronounced when the stunning mushroom first develops. Afterward, the haunting glow fades over a period that typically measures approximately 72 hours.