A new species named ‘Roridomyces phyllostachydis’ or Glowing Mushroom was first sighted at Mawlynnong in the East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya. It was also found at Krang Shuri in the West Jaintia Hills district later. During a project of Assam-based Balipara Foundation with scientists from the Kunming Institute of Botany, this bioluminescent mushroom, which emits light, was spotted along with 600 varieties of fungi.
Key Points
- This new mushroom is considered to be one among the 97 known species of bioluminescent fungi in the world.
- This discovery gains significance as it is the first mushroom in the ‘Roridomyces’ genus to be found in India. However, Scientists could not conclude, why the mushroom emits light only from its stipe or stalk and not from pileus, the cap-like structure.
- The light -emitting property of fungus is due to the enzyme named ‘luciferase’.
Why is Roridomyces phyllostachydis’ or Glowing Mushrooms unique?
It is the first mushroom in the Roridomyces genus to be found in India and that makes it unique. Also, why only stipe of mushroom is bioluminescent is a mystery. This makes it different and unique from others.
Bioluminescent Fungi
As per various reports, bioluminescent fungi can be found in Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Kerala and Goa. At present, over 75 species of bioluminescent fungi are known. Some of the species are Armillaria gallica, Panellus stipticus, Armillaria mellea, Panellus pusillus, Mycena chlorophos, etc.
