Have you ever wondered what those strange and colorful fungi growing in the tea gardens of Assam are?
Niraj Mani Chourasia
"Tea Planter | Agriculture Enthusiast | Photographer | Environment lover - Cultivating Tea, Capturing Beauty, and Preserving Nature"
Have you ever wondered what those strange and colorful fungi growing in the tea gardens of Assam are? They are mushrooms, and they are more than just a food source. Mushrooms are a diverse group of organisms that play important roles in the environment, medicine, and culture.
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, which are neither plants nor animals. Fungi are a separate kingdom of life that have their own unique characteristics and functions. Unlike plants, fungi do not have chlorophyll and cannot make their own food through photosynthesis. Instead, they feed on organic matter by secreting enzymes that break it down. Unlike animals, fungi do not have nerves, muscles, or organs. Instead, they have a network of thin filaments called hyphae that form a mass called mycelium.
There are more than 10,000 species of mushrooms in the world, and they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Some mushrooms are edible and delicious, such as button mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms. Some mushrooms are poisonous and deadly, such as Amanita phalloides (Vaill.) Secr., also known as the “death cap” . Some mushrooms have medicinal properties and can treat various diseases, such as reishi mushrooms, turkey tail mushrooms, and cordyceps mushrooms. Some mushrooms have psychedelic effects and can alter the perception and mood of the user, such as psilocybe mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms”.
Mushrooms are amazing organisms that offer many benefits and challenges for the tea garden workers of Assam. By learning more about mushrooms and their diversity, we can appreciate their beauty and value, as well as avoid their risks and dangers. The next time you see a mushroom in the tea garden, don’t ignore it or eat it blindly. Instead, admire it or identify it carefully. You might discover something new and wonderful.
Here are the few of beautiful Mushrooms observed in the Tea Garden from Nonaipara/ Dejoo and Amgoorie Tea Estate. Total Species documented 48 Nos.
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