Although honey fungus is devastating to its host, it adds to biodiversity, creating a dead wood habitat. It is most significant on beech and birch trees and often seen in big clusters around tree stumps. It has the nickname bootlace fungi as long black rhizomorphs (acting like the fungi root system) can be seen like bootlaces just beneath the bark of an infected tree all year round spreading the fungi from tree to tree.
Honey fungus is an essential organism to maintain the healthy balance of the forest as a whole. Healthy, naturally regenerated woodlands can hold their own against honey fungus, and through shared communication and nutrients of trees, the spread will only reach the dead or dying wood.
There is a strain of it in Oregon that is classed as the largest living organism on earth, covering over 2 miles and thought to be over 2500 years old.
Honey fungus is bioluminescent and was the inspiration for Willow the wisp as it illuminates the forest. It was also used by our men during the war to rub on their lapels, allowing them to be identified by their allies in the dark.
Appreciate the beauty in the fruiting bodies and how it is part of the much bigger picture of biodiversity 🌳🍄
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