RORIDOMYCES PHYLLOSTACHYDIS

Nov. 22, 2020

A mushroom documentation project in the forests of Northeast India has led to a new discovery: a bioluminescent — or light emitting — variety of mushroom.

About:

  • The new species — named Roridomyces phyllostachydis — was first sighted on a wet August night near a stream in Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong in East Khasi Hills district and later at Krang Shuri in West Jaintia Hills district.

  • It is now one among the 97 known species of bioluminescent fungi in the world.

  • Significance:
    • The new species was important because it was the first mushroom in the Roridomyces genus to be found in India.

    • it was the only member in its genus to have light emitting from its stipe or stalk.