Mushrooms in History, Art, and Myth
So much has been said and written about mushrooms and their impact and influence on society that this post seems redundant. Whether or not I am able to shed any new light on any of the specific items I chose to highlight is not a concern as I begin this work, rather, to compile the information in a way that might inform a broader sociological or even humanities-related look at fungi would be a fine result for this author. Let's call it a "Virtual Museum". Some of the images are my own, others have been found on the vast mycelial network of the internet, and are duly attributed. Enjoy the tour, fill out a comment card, and please be sure to exit through the gift shop.
Ancient American Mushroom Rituals
"In Central and South America, use of psilocybin mushrooms was common religious practice until the arrival of Spanish settlers, who were intent on spreading the Catholic faith, strictly prohibited their use. For Indians the fungi are known as sacred mushroom and historically, it is considered entheogen, propelling them on a religious path to the spirit world." (http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?p=917)
Fly Agaric
Alice in Wonderland
"In a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, 'One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.'
'One side of what? The other side of what?' thought Alice to herself.
'Of the mushroom,' said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight." (Carrol)
Timothy Leary, Psychadelic Music, and the Summer of Love
Dr's Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert headed up the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project in the early 1960's, as the counterculture movement began to take hold of America. Bands like the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles popularized Leary's philosophy of "Turn on, Tune In, Drop Out."
Nintendo's 'Mario Brothers'
Although the "1-Up" mushroom is the most well-known mushroom in this game franchise, there are 83 different mushrooms (and counting) in the various Mario games now affecting everything from avatar size to speed, and can either harm or heal, depending on the type.
Modern Mushroom Hunter
Mushroom foraging is a growing pass-time for hobbyists and of huge economic importance to professional foragers, like myself and Tim Pfitzer (pictured). Chanterelles alone account for over $2 Billion in annual sales, and Metro Atlanta is the second largest mushroom consuming population in the United States.
Mushrooms and Aliens
Although they are usually found with produce, mushrooms are actually more closely related to animals. Terence McKenna, an American ethnobotanits, purported that mushrooms alien probes. This idea has persisted, and many new age practitioners are true believers in this notion. Indeed, there may be something to this, as prehistoric mushrooms might have been among the first life forms to evolve from simple organisms which arrived with a meteorite.
The Secret Life of Trees
The forest floor is full of mycelial networks which connect the root systems of trees not only with nutrients (which fungi and bacteria break down) but also with each other. Trees have been found to support sisters and brothers of the same species, using these mycelial networks to "communicate with" each other. (Chevallier)
Mycoremediation: Mushrooms Heal the Earth
"Mycoremediation is the use of fungi, specifically mushrooms, for creating simple yet effective biomass capable of breaking down environmental and industrial pollutants. Research has proven the efficacy of using fungi to degrade contamination such as PCBs, aromatic hydrocarbons, and oil spills. Biological pollutants, especially E. coli, have been of special interest in recent years." (Cotter)
Mushrooms are as wondrous and magical as they are delicious. They were probably here before us, and they might be here after we are long gone, but while we are here together, I enjoy working with them and learning from and about them. I expect I always will.
Reference List
Mushrooms in Africa
There are over 20 species of mushroom traditionally used in West Africa alone for medicine, food, or ritualistic purposes. |
| The giant mushroom, Termitomyces sp., is highly favored by the people of central Africa as a delicious edible. The primordium begin several feet underground, deep in the termite nest, extending upward as a long "taproot," and then forming a mushroom on the surface, especially when the nests are abandoned. (Stamets) |
"In Central and South America, use of psilocybin mushrooms was common religious practice until the arrival of Spanish settlers, who were intent on spreading the Catholic faith, strictly prohibited their use. For Indians the fungi are known as sacred mushroom and historically, it is considered entheogen, propelling them on a religious path to the spirit world." (http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?p=917)
 |
| Various Mushroom Stones (Schultes and Hoffman) |
Fly Agaric
“Bold and undeniably conspicuous, the bright red cap with its white flaky speckles characterizes this infamous mushroom known as ‘Fly Agaric’. A familiar image in popular culture... every child has made its acquaintance via countless illustrations in seemingly innocent fairy tale books. Fly Agaric continues to serve as a classic symbol of enchanted forests and magical groves - the kind of places where fairies, gnomes and witches dwell.” (Morgenstern)
Shaman Santa
Haling from the North Pole, wearing a red suit with white trim, and interacting with “flying” reindeer are traditional practices of Siberian Shaman. And Santa Claus. (Wasson)
Caesar Mushroom
This is one of the few choice edibles in the deadly poisonous Aminata genus.
It is reported to have been the favorite dish of Claudius, and is said to have been laced with a poisonous Aminata by Agrippina so that her son, Nero, could assume the Roman throne. (Greg)
Shiitake
The earliest written record of shiitake cultivation is said to be compiled by He Zhan in 1209 during the Southern Song dynasty. The 185-word description of shiitake cultivation from that literature was later crossed-referenced many times and eventually adapted in a book by a Japanese horticulturist Satō Chūryō in 1796, the first book on shiitake cultivation in Japan. (Miles, Chang)
 |
| Fly Agaric |
Shaman Santa
Haling from the North Pole, wearing a red suit with white trim, and interacting with “flying” reindeer are traditional practices of Siberian Shaman. And Santa Claus. (Wasson)
 |
| Siberian Shaman at Winter Solstice (inhabitat) |
Caesar Mushroom
This is one of the few choice edibles in the deadly poisonous Aminata genus.
It is reported to have been the favorite dish of Claudius, and is said to have been laced with a poisonous Aminata by Agrippina so that her son, Nero, could assume the Roman throne. (Greg)
 |
| A. jacksonii, or the American Caesar is a favorite summer treat around our house. |
Shiitake
The earliest written record of shiitake cultivation is said to be compiled by He Zhan in 1209 during the Southern Song dynasty. The 185-word description of shiitake cultivation from that literature was later crossed-referenced many times and eventually adapted in a book by a Japanese horticulturist Satō Chūryō in 1796, the first book on shiitake cultivation in Japan. (Miles, Chang)
 |
| Wildcrafted shiitake growing in our mycoforest. Note sawdust on cap, from wood-boring insects |
Maitake
"The Dancing Mushroom" gets its Japanese name because, according to folklore, when it was discovered in the woods, the mushroom hunter would dance for joy at their good fortune. It has been used for thousands of years in Japan and China as both food and medicine.
 |
| A beautiful Maitake specimen (Kaminski) |
Reishi
Reishi is described in the same early chinese texts that are referenced above (see "Shiitake"). Before cultivation, this rare mushroom could onlt be afforded by Chinese nobility. It was believed that the sacred fungus grew in the home of the immortals on the “three aisles of the blest” off the coast of China. (McMeekin)
 |
| Reishi |
Agaricus species
No one is certain of the origin of the popular white button mushroom found on grocery store shelves and salad bars everywhere, but this ubiquitous mushroom is certainly the most widely cultivated and consumed variety in the world. The species persists wherever there is a meadow and has been know by many names: The Mohawk called them "ghost ears", and in India and Afghanistan they are know as kallulac-div, or "fairy's cap". (Rogers)
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| "Pink Bottom" Agaricus growing in a Marietta, Georgia Field, 2016 |
Eastern European Mushroom Folklore
"A familiar image in popular culture, Mushrooms (particularly the Fly Agaric, which is known as the Glückspilz, or 'lucky mushroom' in Germany) represent one of the five quintessential symbols of good fortune, (along with pigs, 4-leaved clover, chimney sweeps, and horseshoes). Innumerable decorative replica trinkets, variously cast in chocolate, marzipan or plastic proliferate in the window displays, especially around New Year. (Morganstern)
 |
| Haribo Milky Mushroom Candies |
The Smurfs
The popular Belgian comic franchise featured little blue creatures who lived in houses made of mushrooms.
 |
| Die Schlumpfs with a Schlumpfhaus |
Mushrooms in Modern Adult Literature and Music
"Mushrooms are featured in The Purple Pileus, by H.G. Wells, Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne." "At the young age of 22, Igor Stravinsky composed a 6-minute song for voice and piano called 'The Mushrooms Going to War.' First performed in 1904, the song tells the story of a pine mushroom who calls up various mushroom troops to arms. But each group claims exemption with the golden chanterelle objecting that they are too frail, and the wrinkled morels too old." In the recent musical, The Pick of Destiny, Jack Black's song 'Papagaenu (He's my Sassafras) is inspired by mushrooms." (Rogers)
****LANGUAGE/ DRUG REFERENCE WARNING****
Alice in Wonderland
"In a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, 'One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.'
'One side of what? The other side of what?' thought Alice to herself.
'Of the mushroom,' said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight." (Carrol)
 |
| Advice from a Caterpillar |
Timothy Leary, Psychadelic Music, and the Summer of Love
Dr's Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert headed up the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project in the early 1960's, as the counterculture movement began to take hold of America. Bands like the Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles popularized Leary's philosophy of "Turn on, Tune In, Drop Out."
Nintendo's 'Mario Brothers'
Although the "1-Up" mushroom is the most well-known mushroom in this game franchise, there are 83 different mushrooms (and counting) in the various Mario games now affecting everything from avatar size to speed, and can either harm or heal, depending on the type.
Modern Mushroom Hunter
Mushroom foraging is a growing pass-time for hobbyists and of huge economic importance to professional foragers, like myself and Tim Pfitzer (pictured). Chanterelles alone account for over $2 Billion in annual sales, and Metro Atlanta is the second largest mushroom consuming population in the United States.
 |
| Tim Pfitzer gathers a beautiful Berkley's Polypore |
Although they are usually found with produce, mushrooms are actually more closely related to animals. Terence McKenna, an American ethnobotanits, purported that mushrooms alien probes. This idea has persisted, and many new age practitioners are true believers in this notion. Indeed, there may be something to this, as prehistoric mushrooms might have been among the first life forms to evolve from simple organisms which arrived with a meteorite.
 |
| Terence McKenna |
The Secret Life of Trees
The forest floor is full of mycelial networks which connect the root systems of trees not only with nutrients (which fungi and bacteria break down) but also with each other. Trees have been found to support sisters and brothers of the same species, using these mycelial networks to "communicate with" each other. (Chevallier)
 |
| Apsen groves are noted especially for their subterranean connections |
"Mycoremediation is the use of fungi, specifically mushrooms, for creating simple yet effective biomass capable of breaking down environmental and industrial pollutants. Research has proven the efficacy of using fungi to degrade contamination such as PCBs, aromatic hydrocarbons, and oil spills. Biological pollutants, especially E. coli, have been of special interest in recent years." (Cotter)
 |
| Agaricus bitorquis mushroom emerging through asphalt |
Mushrooms are as wondrous and magical as they are delicious. They were probably here before us, and they might be here after we are long gone, but while we are here together, I enjoy working with them and learning from and about them. I expect I always will.
Reference List
1. Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Berkeley, CA, Ten Speed Press, 2005.
2. Schultes, Richard Evans., and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods: Origins of Hallucinogenic Use. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1979.
3. Morgenstern, Kat. “Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) - History and Uses - Sacred Earth Ethnobotany Resources.” Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) - History and Uses - Sacred Earth Ethnobotany Resources, http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/flyagaric.php.
4. Wasson, R. Gordon. Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality. New York, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971.
5. “Santa and the 'Shrooms: The Real Story behind the &Quot;Design&Quot; of Christmas.” Inhabitat Green Design Innovation Architecture Green Building, http://inhabitat.com/santa-and-the-shrooms-the-real-story-behind-the-design-of-christmas/.
6. Marley, Greg A. Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares: the Love, Lore, and Mystique of Mushrooms. White River Junction, VT, Chelsea Green Pub., 2010.
7. Chang, S. T. et al. Mushrooms: Cultivation, Nutritional Value, Medicinal Effect, and Environmental Impact. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 2004.
8. “Grifola Frondosa: The Hen of the Woods (MushroomExpert.Com).” Grifola Frondosa: The Hen of the Woods (MushroomExpert.Com), http://www.mushroomexpert.com/grifola_frondosa.html.
9. McKeekin, Dorothy. The Perception of Ganoderma Lucidum in Chinese and Western Culture. Place of Publication Not Identified, British Mycological Society, 2004.
10. Rogers, Robert Dale. The Fungal Pharmacy: the Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America. Berkeley, CA, North Atlantic Books, 2011.
11. “Haribo 5p MILKY MUSHROOMS - 120PK.” Haribo HARIBO 5p MILKY MUSHROOMS, http://www.sweetswholesale.co.uk/retro-novelty-c2/haribo-c32/haribo-5p-milky-mushrooms-120pk-p3710.
12. Carroll, Lewis et al. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: and Through the Looking-Glass. London, Dent, 1954.
13. “Stalking the South's Wild Edibles.” THE BITTER SOUTHERNER, http://bittersoutherner.com/foraging-the-south-pfitzer-hosey-forson.
14. McKenna, Terence K. Food of the Gods: the Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge: a Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution. New York, Bantam Books, 1992.
15. Chevallier, Chiara. The Secret Life of Trees. New York, NY, DK Pub., 1999.
16. Cotter, Tradd. Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation: Simple to Advanced and Experimental Techniques for Indoor and Outdoor Cultivation. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2014
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