super-shrooms

Our oyster mushroom totems are still fruiting––they are supposedly cold weather tolerant. Here are some fun facts about oyster mushrooms:

* Commercial cultivation of this mushroom first began in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War I
* Oyster mushrooms are saprophytic rather than parasitic
* All major lineages of the oyster mushroom are carnivorous. Their mycelia can kill and digest nematodes.
* The pearl oyster mushroom is also used to create mycelium bricks, mycelium furniture, and leather-like products.
* The species has been found to contain the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin.
* Oyster mushrooms were used to treat soil that had been polluted with diesel oil. The mushroom was able to convert 95% of the oil into non-toxic compounds.

Wow! I had no idea. I hope our totems keep fruiting for a very long time!

oyster mushroom pieces (Pleurotus ostreatus)

PS I am feeling much better today––I think it was my covid vaccine. Thank you for the well wishes (esp. you Carol!)