
One of the best-known bioluminescent fungi in Australia possibly Pleurotus nidiformis. This large, irregular-shaped fungus with a small stem often grows in dense clusters at the base of living or dead eucalypts. Bioluminescent mushroom light is created by a chemical reaction with a substance called luciferin which reacts with an enzyme, luciferase, causing the luciferin to oxidise, with the consequent emission of light. Fireflies, glow-worms and a number of marine organisms, such as fish, use bioluminescence to attract prey or mates.
Come the hottest and most humid time of the year, strange things happen in the forest you would never expect. Bioluminescent mushrooms. From 6pm to 3am, we snapped away until our batteries ran dry.