Diario del proyecto BIOL 111 Observations

The Trametes Versicolor also known as the Turkey Tail fungus is one of the most common fungi in the North American forest. This fungi grows all year and not just in a specific season. They are found anywhere, where there is dead hardwood logs and stumps to decompose. The colour of the cap vary between buff, brown, cinnamon and redish brown. The fungi itself is hard and rigid and cap has fuzzy, velvety hairs on it. The Turkey tail fungus has been used in Chinese medicine for removing toxins, treatment of various infections, strengthening, energy increasing, improvement of liver and spleen functions and many more uses.

Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor’s (commonly known as Turkey tail fungus) name makes reference to its multicoloured rings. It is thin and its texture and colours resemble that of tree bark. This particular fungi is a mushroom, and grows year-round on dead or downed trees. It is most notable for its medicinal properties. According to (Pop et al. 2018), turkey tails have strong antioxidant properties, particularly helpful in reducing free radicals and other culprits caused by cancer development, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, etc., which typically worsen the toll of the diseases and lead to associated diseases. For this reason immunopotentiators from turkey tails are implemented alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments against cancers and other diseases, as reported by (Cui et al. 2003).

Xylaria polymorpha or otherwise known as Dead man's fingers are a saprobic fungus which can be found near or sometimes connected to the stumps of dead trees. The role of this organism is to rot wood and specialize in consuming the polysaccharides - glucan and other components which connect the cellulose and lignin together to form what we are able to distinguish as wood. Thus, when this type of fungi have consumed what they can of the dead stump, what remains is a nutrient rich soft debris which insects and other small creatures are capable of feeding upon. This type of fungi belong to the phylum Ascomycota which is the largest (by the number of species) section in the fungal kingdom and this type of fungus generally isn't considered to be an edible fungus.

Leucoagaricus leucothites, commonly known as white dapperling, is a macrofungus that belongs to the Agaricaceae family. This mushroom is naturally found growing in grass, particularly in gardens. It is also edible and highly used for culinary purposes. Additionally, this fungus exhibits antimicrobial activity due to an ethanolic compound that provides it with the ability to combat against foodborne and spoilage bacteria. It also plays an important role in the promotion of human health as a result of its inhibitory capacity against enzymes that are involved in various diseases, including diabetes type II and Alzheimer's disease.

The Species of Genus Fomes are easily recognized since they are typically hard, woody species that live for years on tree trunks. In addition, Fomes are typically sessile plants, which means they must have a solid attachment to the host to survive for several years. Fomes are classified as either angulate, hoof-shaped, applanate or somewhat thin-shaped. The general shape of the species is usually distinctive, compared to a Polyporus, which are soft, fleshy, annual species; the Genus Fomes are subwoody, perennial species. In the same species, the colour may vary by a few shades, but the context colour is usually the most distinguishing feature.

The Fairy Ring Mushroom, Marasmius Oreades, is a fungus native to North America. There are 23 species in this genus, and they are all defined by the ring-like design on the mushroom cap. It was found that there are thirteen unique genotypes of the rings in which there are homogenous groups. For example, five groups share the ring genotype as well as the mating genotype, allowing them to interbreed, but they remain distinct individual species. This fungi is also a dikaryon, and occasionally isolate (bisexual) fungi with mutations will produce a fairy ring mushroom without the demarcation.