Natural Allies: The Aid Provided by Mushrooms in the Wild
Exploring the Fungal World of the Upper Palatinate"Mushrooms are the unsung heroes of the forest," says Stefan Hartwig, a mycology expert at the German Society for Mycology, during his talk at the Upper Palatinate Media Center. And he's got the science to back it up!
The Role of MushroomsIn autumn, leaves fall, and coniferous trees shed their needles every seven years. Saprobic fungi, the "cleaners" of the mushroom family, are responsible for breaking down dead plant and animal matter. They help maintain the forest's balance and support plant growth.
Mushrooms come in three categories: mycorrhiza, which live in symbiosis with trees, ensuring photosynthesis; saprobic fungi; and parasites, which attack weakened organisms. Interestingly, mushrooms are the only living beings capable of breaking down hard wood, although it may take years for beetles and insects to come into play.
The Mystery of MushroomsHartwig addressed the age-old question of why there are mushrooms at all in an intriguing manner: "So you can make a truly mouthwatering mushroom soup every once in a while." He dedicated a whole chapter to the preparation of mushrooms, discussing everything from environmental toxins to fox tapeworm and radioactivity. Even the Chernobyl disaster had minimal impact on the region, with mushrooms being safe to eat, even those considered contaminated elsewhere.
Identifying Edible MushroomsThe expert displayed a slideshow of 50 local mushrooms, focusing on the Vohenstrauss area. Edible mushrooms can be found all year round, although they may be exotic. The season usually lasts from August to early November. "We have many edible mushrooms right now," Hartwig said. However, each edible mushroom has a poisonous twin, so it's crucial to always check the underside of the cap to determine if it's a gilled or pored mushroom.
Dangers AwaitAmong the deadly poisonous mushrooms is the green false morel. Hartwig hasn't found any in the area, but the white false morel, just as deadly, was recently discovered. If recognized quickly, help is available, but the problem lies in the long latency period with deadly poisonous mushrooms like the false morel, which can range from 4 to 48 hours.
Local News Bites- A fatal car accident occurred at Seugast, leaving an 18-year-old dead and a 19-year-old injured.- The number of police shootings on people this year is already as high as in 2024 after just a few months.- A young man died in a car accident in the Upper Palatinate, while another is under investigation for manslaughter.- TSV Neunkirchen, a local club, is fielding its own team for the first time in years, after a large part of the VfB Weiden championship team joined them.- A motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries after crashing into a tree, and the cause of the crash remains unclear.- A cyclist was seriously injured by a skidder dumping gravel into a pit.
- Environmental science reveals that mushrooms play a crucial role in maintaining the health and wellness of forests, as saprobic fungi break down dead plant and animal matter, contributing to plant growth.
- Interestingly, mushrooms are not only essential components of the fungal world but also integral parts of a healthy-diets, with some being edible and others capable of providing unique flavors in dishes such as mushroom soups.
- In the realm of fitness and exercise, exercising caution is advised when foraging for edible mushrooms, as several poisonous species like the green false morel and the white false morel can be found, potentially causing harmful effects on health.
