Mushrooms may seem like strange little plants—but they’re not plants at all. They’re part of the fungi kingdom, and they do things plants could never do: digest food outside their bodies, glow in the dark, and even help trees talk to each other.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a homeschooler, or just curious about what’s growing in your yard, here are five fun mushroom facts to spark your imagination. 🍄
1. Mushrooms Are More Like You Than Like Plants
Mushrooms breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide—just like humans and animals¹. They also don’t make food from sunlight. Instead, they absorb nutrients from things like wood or leaves. Some scientists say fungi are genetically closer to animals than to plants².
2. The Biggest Living Thing on Earth Is a Mushroom
There’s a single fungus growing in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest that spans more than three square miles underground. Known as the Armillaria ostoyae, it’s often called the “humongous fungus” and may be over 2,000 years old³.
3. Some Mushrooms Glow in the Dark
Called bioluminescent fungi, these mushrooms give off a natural green glow in the dark. Scientists believe the glow may help attract insects that spread mushroom spores⁴. You can find glowing mushrooms in forests around the world—including in parts of Texas.
4. Mushrooms Help Plants “Talk” to Each Other
Underground fungal threads called mycorrhizae connect the roots of trees and plants. Through this network, trees can share nutrients or send distress signals—almost like a forest internet⁵. Some researchers call it the “wood wide web.”
5. You Can Grow Mushrooms at Home (and Eat Them!)
Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest types to grow indoors. With a basic kit, you can watch them fruit in just a few days. Some Texas farms even offer mushroom growing workshops for kids and families who want to try it hands-on⁶.
👀 Want to See Mushrooms Up Close?
Many local farms offer mushroom tours or growing classes for older kids (ages 8 and up) where you can:
- See how mushrooms grow indoors (no sunlight required)
- Learn about fungi’s role in the environment
- Explore different mushroom shapes, textures, and colors
👉 Explore Mushroom Experiences Near You
📚 Sources
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (2022). Growing Mushrooms at Home.
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station (2021). Mushrooms: Guardians of the Forest.
- Baldauf, S.L. (2003). The Deep Roots of Eukaryotes. Science, 300(5626), 1703–1706.
- Simard, S.W., Perry, D.A., Jones, M.D., Myrold, D.D., Durall, D.M., & Molina, R. (1997). Net transfer of carbon between ectomycorrhizal tree species in the field. Nature, 388, 579–582.
- Moore, D. (2001). Fungal Biology. Cambridge University Press.
