Explained simply
What is mycelium
Mycelium is the network of branching threads of fungi, living in soil, wood or plant matter. It is the main body of the fungus. The mushroom we see is only the part that rises up to reproduce.
What mycelium is made of
Mycelium is made of many fine threads called hyphae (singular: hypha), each far thinner than a hair. Hyphae grow at their tips and keep branching until they weave a dense network. If you have ever turned over a rotting log and seen white, cotton-like threads, that is mycelium.
What mycelium does in nature
- Decomposes. It releases enzymes that break down cellulose and lignin in plant matter, then absorbs the nutrients. It is one of the main recyclers of nutrients in forests.
- Connects with plant roots. Some fungi live in partnership with roots, called mycorrhiza, helping plants take up water and minerals.
- Holds soil together. The network of threads binds soil particles.
Why mycelium can become a material
The third point is the key. When mycelium grows on agricultural residues inside a mold, the threads spread throughout and bind the residues into one piece shaped like the mold. Heat treatment then stops the growth. The result is a material that is entirely biomass.
Illustrations by Thereon
This is the principle behind the mycelium packaging Thereon uses for cushioning inserts.
Common terms
- Hypha: a single fungal thread
- Mycelium: a network of many hyphae
- Fruiting body: the reproductive part that makes spores
- Substrate: what the mycelium feeds on and grows through, such as sawdust, straw or other plant matter
- Spawn: the starter culture used to begin growing
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mycelium and a mushroom?
The mushroom we eat is the fruiting body, the reproductive part that appears from time to time. Mycelium is the fungus itself, living in soil or wood all the time. If the mushroom is the fruit, the mycelium is the whole tree.
Is it mycelium or mycelia?
Mycelium is the singular and mycelia the plural. A single thread is a hypha, and many are hyphae.
Can you eat mycelium?
The mycelium of some species is used in food, but mycelium cushioning is not food. It is processed for use as a material and must not be eaten.
What else can mycelium be used for?
Beyond packaging, mycelium is being researched and developed as a leather-like material, acoustic panels, interior materials and food, each at a different stage of development. Thereon focuses on cushioning inserts only.