Fungi, Foxfire and Margarita

Mycena chlorophos is a saprotrophic mushroom native to Southeast Asia.

Saprotrophic means that it munches on decaying organic matter. The pale grey-brown fungus, also called the Green Pepe or yakoh-take (night-light mushroom), can be up to 6 cm (2.4 in) tall, depending on the shape and size of the cap and stem - the cap can be either flat or conical.

The gills of the fungus are bioluminescent, and it is one of the approximately 70 glowing fungi identified so far. While a lot of them belong to the same genus, Mycena, this species was the first described glowing mushroom. Its glow is called foxfire. It is attributed to an enzyme called luciferase, and it probably attracts insects at night, which can eventually help the mushroom spread its spores. In 2016, another bioluminescence-activating component was identified in the species, but the underlying mechanisms of its bioluminescence remain unknown.

Two close relatives of the fungus, which are also luminescent, have pretty funky names: Mycena discobasis and Mycena margarita.

So, who's ready for a proper mushroom disco and some cocktails?

Common name:	Green Pepe
Scientific name:	Mycena chlorophos
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Mycenaceae
Scientific reading: