MycoWorld

My fascination with mushrooms began in secondary school, when I became familiar with the poem ‘Mushrooms’ by Sylvia Plath. We analysed this poem for Literature class and it also formed the basis for one of our exams.

On the surface, the poem is just about a bunch of mushrooms growing in the night. Upon further reading, the mushrooms could be a metaphor for the oppressed.

Kingdom Fungi resonates with me in more ways than one, especially here in Iceland. These fascinating fruiting bodies of mycelium go largely unseen in nature by many, despite their wonderfully unique traits. Unless you are in the supermarket or one pops up in an inconvenient place, such as your shower, you may go your entire life without noticing mushrooms and other fungi.

One thing that I find interesting is the aversion that some people experience in relation to mushrooms, whether it be the texture upon consumption or the fear of coming across poisonous or toxic species in the wild. Is it human unfamiliarity with fungi that causes us to be so cautious of them, or is it simply ignorance?

What I’ve come to accept from getting down and dirty with mushrooms in Iceland is that there is endless more to learn. By exploring this Kingdom of Nature and presenting it to you in an intriguing light, I hope to share all of the quirky and enchanting things that I’ve found, which will hopefully pique your curiosity and interest too.

Welcome to the MycoWorld. When we are long gone, all the small things will inherit the Earth.