Source: popsci.com
Some find them to be an epicurean delight and others detest them. They can be found growing anywhere there is a moist climate and they especially like decaying vegetation. Of course I am speaking of the ubiquitous mushroom.
Mushrooms are classified as fungi and they will consume any carbon based life form. Scientist have been scientifically studying the fungus family for decades. Early on they discovered that the military tents and uniforms were under siege by an unknown predator which literally ate the shirt off the soldier's back. It was discovered that the predator was fungi in the form of mold and mildew.
Since that time, it has been found that fungi plays an important role in the food chain. It is necessary for breaking down matter of a deceased life form in to the base minerals and vitamins that are the food for new life. They have found ways to use fungi to manufacture a substitute for leather, styrofoam, medical serums, meats, detergents and it makes a great side dish for steak dinners.
They are experimenting with fungi to aid in recycling waste and to amend soil. They found that fungi are beneficial in absorbing toxins and heavy metals. They maybe a solution to cleaning land which has been polluted with a hazardous chemical.
One word of caution, there are some 10,000 different varieties of mushroom and some are toxic to humans. Over half of them are deemed inedible, about 20% will make you sick and 1% will kill you. Some of the lethal varieties look very similar to the edible variety so it is imperative that you know which is which.
Source: youtube.com
