Fungal bioluminescence is one of nature’s most enchanting phenomena—mushrooms and fungi that literally glow in the dark. Recent research shows there are now about 132 species of bioluminescent fungi recognized globally, up from around 64 just a decade and a half ago. These species belong exclusively to the order Agaricales (Basidiomycota), and are grouped into five major lineages, including Mycenaceae, Omphalotaceae, Physalacriaceae, Lucentipes, and the recently clarified Eoscyphella.
Beyond their magical appearance, these glowing fungi have real scientific importance. The chemical mechanism that enables them to glow—the caffeic acid cycle—has been decoded and shown to be conserved across many of these fungal species. Researchers are now using the genes responsible for this pathway to engineer bioluminescent plants and organisms, which could be tools for studying biological processes in real time, environmental monitoring, and even sustainable lighting.
One intriguing discovery involves a new species called Mycena crocata, found in Zurich, Switzerland, that glows with distinct bioluminescence. Moreover, scientists have engineered wood colonized by the fungus Desarmillaria tabescens (a white rot fungus) to produce living materials that glow, by controlling moisture content and growth conditions. These advances show how deepening our understanding of bioluminescent fungi—how they evolved, where they live, and what their ecological roles are—can also lead to bio-innovations with both aesthetic and practical value.
