Lessons from nature

Nature's gifts are truly wondrous. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are found throughout the world in spring and fall, feeding on dead and decaying matter (here on downed maple tree). Aside from being picked and used in stroganoff, however, they have a growing role in myco-restoration--that is, using mushrooms to decrease pollution.  Oysters are found on hardwoods. They actually kill and eat small roundworms and bacteria, making them one of the few carnivorous mushrooms. They do this by secreting enzymes that break down organic bonds into smaller molecules. The carbon-hydrogen bonds in wood are similar to those found in oil and pesticides. So oysters are also efficient in breaking down the organic bonds in toxic chemicals. Visionary scientists are imagining and experimenting with oil spills and pollution (including mercury) someday being decreased by mushrooms.