Opis:
Jack o' Lantern fungi Ompholatus illudens grows on decay oak logs and decaying roots and its bio-luminescence can be seen at night. I explain how they are toxic non-edible and can be mistaken for edible chanterelles. I explain that a mushroom is really just a fruiting body of a large mass of unseen fungal fibers called mycelia. I show the structure of this mushroom and its gills where spores are formed. I discuss how plants and fungi are sources of most of our pharmaceuticals. I refer to willow bark as being the source of the original aspirin. I explain how the chemotherapy substance being investigated today, Irofulven comes from this fungus and shows effectiveness in shrinking tumors. I visit the fungi in the dark and describe its bio-luminescence.