FUNGI
Scientific Definition
Fungi (n.) \ ˈfən-ˌjī
Any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts
A.K.A.
An organism that helps with the decomposition process of food scraps to compost
But what does this mean?!
Fungus is not a plant or an animal. Fungi can be unicellular like yeast, or multicellular like mushrooms. They are heterotrophs, like us, which means they have to “eat” organic carbon materials to create energy. Fungus food can be things like fallen logs, leaf litter, or your food scraps!
And how does it affect you?
We most often interact with fungus in the form of food such as yeast for bread or medicine made from fungi like antibiotics. Fungus has the potential to do even more though, it can help us solve climate change by breaking down our food scraps into compost. This compost will be healthier and contain diversity that will keep your plants health and strong. (And if you are eating those plants, you will be healthy and strong too!) To get your hands on this healthy soil go to Tilth Soils site found here. You can also go to RBR’s site to see how you can take your food scraps and turn them into this living soil.
References include: Merriam-Webster Online DictionaryThe Botanical Society of America
