Notes

63 pages
colour illustrations.
On cover: The weird and wonderful kingdom of fungi. Contents: The fungus kingdom -- The greening of the earth -- Nature's helpers -- A spore's journey -- Growing mushrooms -- How does a fungus feed? -- Fungus wars -- Mushroom forest -- Sac fungi -- Edible or poisonous -- Fairytale fungi -- Lichens -- Bright, dark, or glowing -- Plant partners -- Plant killers -- Fungal food -- Eco-friendly fungi -- Animal friends -- Animal killers -- Mushroom mind control -- Inside us -- Medicine makers -- Amazing chemists -- Home invaders -- Floating fungi -- Humongous fungus -- Global change -- Saving the future.
Summary: Not quite animals and not quite plants, the mysterious kingdom of fungi is full of secret goings on Inhabiting a whole kingdom of their own, fungi can be found in every ecosystem. They carpet the forest floor, and different types of fungi decompose matter, feed plants, and even change animals' behaviour. Their beautiful mushrooms come in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Fungal stories include the greening of the Earth, when fungi helped plants first grow on land, and the mass destruction of crops through fungal disease. From the villains of the upcoming bananageddon to plastic-eating eco-warriors, there are over 1.5 million known fungus species, and a huge, unknown number of unnamed "dark" types. Some are even found inside animals - helpful fungi break down food in animal guts, but others take over their hosts' bodies. This book of fabulous fungi will intrigue and amaze young readers, and open their eyes to the fungi thriving all around them.