Yes, some seventy species of fungi belonging to various families ( Omphalotus, Armillaria, Mycenaceae … ) that inhabit forests around the world glow in the dark. This property is called bioluminescence and it is the result of a series of chemical reactions that are part of the metabolism of living beings.
The light emitted by fungi is greenish-blue in color and is associated with the luciferase enzyme , which participates in many of these processes. Scientists do not know exactly what the reason for the phenomenon is, but it is believed to play an important role in fungal reproduction and survival.
And it is that fluorescence attracts arthropods, responsible for spreading spores , and serves as a deterrent signal for insects that feed on these organisms. All species of fungi capable of emitting light live on tree trunks, since they are responsible for decomposing wood by digesting lignin, a complex molecule that serves as a link between cellulose fibers.
Another possible cause of its glowing ability is an effect of this form of nutrition: luminescent reactions generate antioxidants that protect the fungus from toxic substances that are released in the assimilation of lignin.
