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Bitter Oyster

Panellus stipticus

Description:

Panellus stipticus is one of several dozen species of fungi that are bioluminescent. Strains from eastern North America are typically bioluminescent, but those from the Pacific regions of North America and from other continents are not. The luminescence is localized to the edges of the gills and the junction of the gills with the stem and cap. Bioluminescence is also observable with mycelia grown in laboratory culture, and the growth conditions for optimal light production have been studied in detail. Several chemicals have been isolated and characterized that are believed to be responsible for light production.

Habitat:

A common and widely distributed species, it is found in Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America, where it grows in groups or dense overlapping clusters on the logs, stumps, and trunks of deciduous trees, especially beech, oak, and birch.

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4 Comments

LarsKorb
LarsKorb 12 years ago

Added to mission "Poisonous and Deadly Fungi"

LarsKorb
LarsKorb 12 years ago

yea, was surprised about it, too - US citizens should watch out for this one.

Hans.New
Hans.New 12 years ago

It´s a miracle, that they are partly bioluminiscent, depending of the population/region. Would´t guess that when looking at them. Great information.

LarsKorb
LarsKorb 12 years ago

identified

LarsKorb
Spotted by
LarsKorb

Hohenhorn, Schleswig-Holstein (Landmasse), Germany

Spotted on Feb 20, 2012
Submitted on Feb 20, 2012

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