THE LESSER-KNOWN KINGDOM

are broad groupings. Historically, there were five kingdoms, but in recent years, some people think there is division among the extremely small life forms (bacteria, for example) needing a microscope to interpret, so currently there may be seven kingdoms. The easier-to-distinguish kingdoms are the animals, plants and fungi. We naturalists are easily in love with the animalia and plantae kingdoms (official nomenclature). But the Kingdom Fungi often takes a little time and patience for us to learn their role in the environment.

sense with each other regarding air conditions, an invasion of pests or other detriments to trees, shrubs and vines.

Walking along the nature trail with a class, we are often intrigued by pretty mushrooms. And some fungi are just beyond pretty; their design and color can be beautiful.

I think most people in tune with Missouri’s nature would raise an eyebrow and question why I would highlight mushrooms in the heat of the summer. I’m in agreement with their initial thoughts because I personally seek edible mushrooms in the spring (cheers for morels!) and the middle of autumn. As a nature observer, I truly notice those attractive formations of many fungus types seem to be their most robust during those times of plentiful moisture in the air and in the soil.

Fungi is one of the kingdoms of life! Biologists and the scientific community in general classify our living things in a hierarchy. The species category would be the narrowest classification of a living thing while kingdoms

Most of our fungi in the hot, dry months will appear drawn up and perhaps hard to the touch. Our observations may scan the trail before us, the leaf litter among fallen logs and certain standing tree trunks, and we’ll see the signs of fungi. The actual mushroom is the fruiting body of the life form and instead of seeds, they reproduce by dropping spores to the ground or in the air. The main substance of the fungi is a network of threadlike structures called mycelium. Mycelium is where my fascination begins. Mycelium may be growing on or throughout leaf litter, the trail’s soil, decaying plants or animals. Mycelium helps break down materials and has an important relationship with plant life to pick up trace minerals, nutrients and moisture in different usable forms. Biologists are on the edge of discovery with these relationships and even how they assist the forest plants to communicate in a

As we learn more about the role of the kingdom of fungi in our ecology, we are also learning its possible future uses in our nutrition, new medicines and even solutions to fight some existing pollution. Many of us are aware of the value of penicillin discovered from this kingdom. Current research is looking at chemicals from fungi to combat pox viruses, a variety of cancer growth and chemical toxins. Fungi proves to be vital on many levels and scientists are just beginning to apply the naturalist eye to inventory and investigate more the fungi before us.

We love our intact communities in nature, and the benefits of nature just keep being discovered. So, enjoy the nature trail, remember where you saw some fungi sign and recheck it from time to time. A surprise summer shower often regenerates the mushroom in minutes on the August stage. I think it will reward you with cool observations and maybe a nature photograph or two.