Mycena lux-coeli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mycena lux-coeli | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Mycenaceae |
| Genus: | Mycena |
| Species: | M. lux-coeli |
| Binomial name | |
| Mycena lux-coeli Corner (1954) | |
Mycena lux-coeli—meaning "heavenly light mushrooms"—is a bioluminescent species of fungus in the family Mycenaceae. Mycena lux-coeli is a species of fungus in the family Mycenaceae. This mushroom emits a continuous green bioluminescent glow from its gills under humid forest conditions, produced by the oxidation of a trans-3-hydroxyhispidin substrate via a luciferase enzyme system.[1]
It was first discovered in 1954 on Hachijō-jima where it is widely found, and decades later was found on multiple islands in Japan.[2][3]
In the dark forests of Japan, this mushroom is also known as "sky lantern mushroom" and looks beautiful.[4]
Mycena emits light because luciferase reacts with luciferin to produce light. It's thought this change helps mushrooms attract bugs in their natural environment to help spread spores, while potentially scaring off predators.[5]
Hachijō-jima island is also home to the bioluminescent mushroom species, Mycena chlorophos. The local name for these mushrooms is hato-no-hi, literally "pigeon fire".[2]
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