Dazzling Close-Up Views Reveal the Hidden Diversity of Forest Mushrooms

Field report

Careful observation techniques reveal the stunning variety and beauty of forest fungi

Fungi are widely misunderstood and often under-appreciated, yet they are a crucial component of the planet's ecosystems. Though they may sometimes lookbizarre and otherworldlyto us, they are nevertheless unparalleled experts at breaking down organic matter and according to some experts, their latent superpowers may potentially evensave the world.

Aiming to raise awareness and appreciation of the smallest of fungi, and also mysteriousslime molds(also called a variety of monikers like Myxogastria and Myxomycetes), American photographerAlison Pollackuses special techniques to capture the magic and beauty of these tiny organisms.

In addition to documenting unique mushroom specimens, Pollack has a particular fondness for photographing slime molds.

Slime molds are diminutive organisms of "brainless intelligence" that used to be classified as fungi but are now considered to be part of the kingdom Protozoa, due to their distinctively non-fungi-like behavior of forming a structure known as a plasmodium, which moves around slowly ingesting decaying organic matter. When this plasmodium has eaten enough, or the air gets cold or dry, it changes from a slimy mass into a group of tiny, fruiting bodies that can release innumerable spores.

Pollack, who is a mathematician by training, and a self-professed "computer geek" and hiking enthusiast, became interested in photographing tiny fungi and slime molds a few years ago when she chanced upon and photographed her first slime mold in the forests of northern California. Intrigued, she did some research online about the slime mold life cycle, and has since been obsessed with hunting and snapping images of these different species, which are often overlooked by people because they are so small.

Mycorrhizal fungi are diminutive organisms of extraordinary importance that form partnerships with tree roots, trading soil nutrients for plant sugars in a mutually beneficial exchange. When conditions are right, they send up tiny fruiting bodies — the mushrooms we see pushing through the forest floor — that release innumerable spores to colonize new ground.

As Pollack discovered, the life cycle of slime molds is indeed fascinating and consists of two stages. During the first "amoeboflagellate" stage, slime molds typically exist as a single-celled organism, and grow and sexually reproduce by binary fission. This then allows the slime mold to proceed to the second "plasmodium" stage.

In contrast to fungi, the plasmodium feeds on bacteria, fungal hyphae, and other microorganisms, ingesting them through a process calledphagocytosis, where they engulf other cells and particles. In addition, slime molds are able to move away from light or undesired chemical contaminants, which fungi cannot do.

Pollack hopes to travel more in the future to visually chronicle more of these tiniest of organisms, and to reveal the "beauty and magic" of these incredible lifeforms. She says:

There are more than 14,000 species of mushrooms known in North America alone, and most areno larger than a golf ballin height — though some species, like the giant puffball, can grow to the size of a beach ball. Typically, they are found on the forest floor among fallen leaves, but also on decaying stumps, living tree trunks, and even sometimes emerging from disturbed soil along trails.