Acadia National Park - Meet a Jack-o-Lantern Fungus

Jackie, the Jack-o-Lantern Mushroom, introduces the role of mushrooms in ecosystems, highlighting their decomposing abilities and partnerships with plants through mycorrhizal networks. Jackie explains bioluminescence and the function of gills in mushrooms, differentiating between edible and toxic varieties. The video also explores mushrooms with ocean-inspired names and unique characteristics, such as the bleeding tooth fungus, emphasizing their ecological importance and medical benefits.

What is the primary role of fungi like Jackie in the ecosystem?

• Predator

• Producer

• Decomposer

• Consumer

What is the mycorrhizal network primarily responsible for?

• Water absorption

• Plant communication and nutrient exchange

• Photosynthesis

• Decomposition of organic matter

What unique trait does the Jack-o-Lantern Mushroom possess?

• Edibility

• Parasitism

• Bioluminescence

• Photosynthesis

How can you differentiate Jack-o-Lantern Mushrooms from chanterelles?

• By their color

• By their gills

• By their size

• By their habitat

Which mushroom is known for its fishy smell and culinary use?

• Bleeding tooth fungus

• Lobster mushroom

• Golden coral

• Oyster mushroom

What is a unique feature of the bleeding tooth fungus during its adolescence?

• It glows in the dark

• It oozes red sap

• It is highly edible

• It has a fishy smell

What is the ecological role of the lobster mushroom?

• Symbiont

• Producer

• Decomposer

• Parasite