• Members of the previous forum can retrieve their temporary password here, (login and check your PM).

Endophytic fungi and phalaris alkaloid profiles

Migrated topic.

ragabr

Rising Star
OG Pioneer
I'm reading Paul Stamets' book Mycellium Running, and in the section on Endophytic fungi. That link mentions some of the known benefits of symbiosis between endophytes and grasses.

In passing, he mentions that some endophytes are known to synthesize tryptamines. I'm wondering if the alkaloid variability we see in these grasses, particularly in the wildtypes, could have something to do with this. Might the known strains, which I understand are spread by dividing, not from seed, have the particular type of fungus wanted already inoculated?

I don't really know how one would test this, or what use it might be, I'm just really struck by this at the moment.

Edit: This quote seemed very pertinent:
Paul Stamets said:
Because some grasses produce more mycotoxins than others in the same habitat, cattle may sometimes get a chemical cocktail but other times not, making it more difficult for them to learn which grasses to avoid.
Edit #2: There's some evidence that Psilocybe cyanescens is actually a fruiting endophytic fungi...
 
Back
Top Bottom