Mushrooms are Older Than Plants – Here’s Why

Here’s a cool story, just between you and me.

Ten years ago, during one of my first-ever hero doses of psilocybin, I remember arriving in a place where the silence was deeper than anything I’d ever known before. 

Eventually, I somehow realised that I was hearing the sound of planet Earth at a time before humans, animals, and even plants. 

The silence was so deep I could feel it in my bones. It was soothing and fascinating and a wonderful feeling.

Then only two years ago, I then find out about lichen symbiosis.

It’s a mutualistic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, usually an alga or cyanobacterium. A relationship that provides nutrient exchange and is adaptive in that it allows mycobiont and photobiont symbionts to survive in arid habitats.

Meaning fungi have a massive role to play in the existence of all plants and animal life forms.

Part of me was so surprised to find out how important fungi are to all life on the planet. The other part of me wasn’t surprised at all, because I felt that I already knew that.

Normally when we think of the natural world, we think mainly about landscapes, plants, and animals. 

Well, have you ever heard of the Third Kingdom?

The Third Kingdom is organisms that were outside the classical dichotomy of animals versus vegetals. According to Britannica.com, so far there are 144,000 known species of organisms of the Kingdom Fungi, including yeasts, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms.

Not only are fungi among the most widely distributed organisms on Earth, but they are the first ones here. There is evidence of their presence as the first and earliest and further studies are helping us understand fungi’s role in the proliferation of life as we know it. 

Fungi Genetics

And let’s not forget about the fascinating stories that fungi’s genes have to tell! 

When we dive deeper into the DNA of fungi, we uncover a whole world of genetic information that sheds light on their incredible adaptations and evolutionary history.

Genetic studies have revealed that fungi have been at the forefront of life’s complexity on Earth for millions of years. Their DNA holds the secrets of their ancient adaptations, showing just how important they’ve been in shaping the world we live in today. 

By analyzing their genes, scientists can trace the evolutionary paths that fungi have taken, uncovering the intricate web of relationships between different fungal species and their environments.

But it doesn’t stop there. 

Fungi’s genetic makeup also holds clues to their beneficial properties. Through genetic analyses, researchers have identified genes responsible for the production of bioactive compounds found in certain mushrooms. 

These compounds have been studied extensively for their potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. By understanding the genetic basis of these compounds, scientists can further explore their potential applications in medicine and wellness.

Furthermore, genetic research has allowed us to uncover the hidden diversity within the fungal kingdom. Fungi are incredibly diverse, with countless species yet to be discovered and described. 

Fungi Were First To The Party

Before plants even came into the picture, fungi were the ones ruling the land.

They had these massive mycelial networks that covered the whole place. It’s like they were the original farmers, preparing the soil for future plant growth.

In the prehistoric landscapes of Earth, fungi were the true kings.

Case in point, have you heard of the billion-year-old fossils of fungi that have been found? 

Archeological finds like these support the theory that fungi have been shaping the Earth and making a big impact on soil and plants since the very beginning.

The Smithsonian Magazine published an article on the topic and it confirms: 

“Fungi were key partners of plants during their colonization of land approximately 500 million years ago […] But that conflicts with DNA-based estimates, which suggest that fungi originated much earlier – a billion or more years ago.”

And Then There Were Plants

In addition to their role as decomposers, fungi also form important symbiotic relationships with plants. 

One of the most well-known examples of this is mycorrhizal associations, where fungi form mutually beneficial partnerships with the roots of plants.

In these relationships, the fungi provide essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, to the plants, while the plants provide the fungi with sugars produced through photosynthesis. 

Such symbiotic exchange enhances the growth and survival of both the fungi and the plants, creating a win-win situation.

Silent Rulers

Still today, fungi are the largest organisms on the planet! It’s called Armillaria Ostoyae, or the honey fungus.

It currently weighs 13 million pounds and has been alive since the last Ice Age. 

The largest living organism on Earth is a fungus, and that’s not the craziest part. 

The wildest this about this is that we only discovered it 50 years ago.

So, the next time you’re strolling through a forest, remember that beneath your feet, there lives a massively mycelial complex network of information and resource exchange. 

How cool is that?!

As always

Flow strong

Asha ✨