Australian Fungi

Glowing fungi on a rainforest tree. Possibly Pleurotus nidiformis. One of the best-known bioluminescent fungi in Australia. This is a large, irregular-shaped fungus with little or no stem, which often grows in dense clusters at the base of living or dead eucalypts. Bioluminescent mushroom light is created by a chemical reaction. A substance called luciferin reacts with an enzyme, luciferase, causing the luciferin to oxidise, with the consequent emission of light. Fireflies, glow-worms and a...
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Glowing fungi on a rainforest tree. Possibly Pleurotus nidiformis. One of the best-known bioluminescent fungi in Australia. This is a large, irregular-shaped fungus with little or no stem, which often grows in dense clusters at the base of living or dead eucalypts. Bioluminescent mushroom light is created by a chemical reaction. A substance called luciferin reacts with an enzyme, luciferase, causing the luciferin to oxidise, with the consequent emission of light. Fireflies, glow-worms and a number of marine organisms, such as fish, use bioluminescence to attract prey or mates
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