Mushrooms & Friends 4

MUSHROOMS & FRIENDS 4 features still lifes of Ganoderma mushrooms cultivated by the artist Phyllis Ma. The production of this issue was a true test of patience, as the growth of mushrooms cannot be rushed. What emerged was a foray into the science and cultural history of Ganoderma - a vast topic that could easily become a lifelong study. Ganoderma is a genus of white rot fungi that parasitizes living or dead hardwood trees. As of recent years, 181 Ganoderma species have been taxonomically accepted. Though their texture appears woodlike and inert, these fungi are remarkably sensitive to environmental factors such as light, humidity, temperature and oxygen levels. By carefully manipulating growing conditions, it is possible to "sculpt" the growth of Ganoderma. Through the fruiting process for this project, conducted in a small home lab, some specimens sprouted marshmallow-tipped antlers, while others formed fan-like conks with porous undersides. Still others, responding to the constraints of the indoor setup, developed beautifully grotesque morphologies that might be mistaken for contamination. Inspired by the contemporary practice of Ganoderma bonsai in China, a few mushrooms were also cultivated inside ostrich and emu eggs. The growth of saprophytic mushrooms within eggs hint at the interconnected cycles of life and death. Though fungi like Ganoderma act as agents of decay, they are equally essential to life by breaking down organic matter into digestible nutrients for plants, animals and other organisms.