what is mycelium

1 year ago 71

Mycelium is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. It is the vegetative part or root structure of mushrooms, and it can be microscopic or developed into visible structures such as mushrooms, brackets, puffballs, rhizomorphs, sclerotia, stinkhorns, toadstools, and truffles. Mycelia often grow underground but can also thrive in other places such as rotting tree trunks. They are important to agriculture and are found in and on soil and many other substrates. Mycelium is a primary factor in some plants’ health, nutrient intake, and growth, with mycelium being a major factor to plant fitness. Networks of mycelia can transport water and spikes of electrical potential. Mycelium is also an important food source for many soil invertebrates.

Mycelium has many uses, including:

Agriculture: Mycelia are of vital importance to the soil. They break down organic material, making its raw materials available again for use in the ecosystem. On top of this, 92% of plant families interact with fungi. This kind of symbiosis is termed mycorrhiza. Hyphae are also an important source of food for insects and other invertebrates.
Sustainable construction: Mycelium is a strong candidate for sustainable construction primarily due to its lightweight biodegradable structure and its capacity to be grown from waste sources. In addition to this, mycelium has a relatively high strength-to-weight ratio and a much lower embodied energy compared to traditional building materials. Mycelium bio-composites have shown strong potential for structural applications, with much higher strength-to-weight ratios than that of conventional materials due primarily to its low density.
Packaging: Mycelium has been used as an alternative packaging material.
Clothing: Mycelium has been used in clothing.
Bioremediation: Fungi are also used to break down toxic substances, such as pesticides and petroleum products, to filter water (mycofiltration) .