Illuminatus Frondensia, named for its illuminated, frond-like branching, is a bioluminescent fungus in deep caves. It features coral-like fruiting bodies 10-25 cm tall, with frondose caps having wavy margins and smooth to finely tuberculate surfaces in cream, pale pink, and yellow hues. Slender pale stipes sway gently, aiding spore dispersal. Its blue-green bioluminescence (470-530 nm) arises from a luciferin-luciferase system in cap margins and undersides. Found on cool, humid cave substrates rich in decaying lignocellulosics, it functions saprotrophically. Taxonomically, it is in Xylariaceae, genus Illuminatus, order Xylariales. Its mycelial network sustains nutrient cycling and cave ecosystem health. A rare, protected species, it exemplifies cave-adapted bioluminescent fungi diversity and ecological importance.
Name
BIOME LUMINA #683/1000
Owner
0x6018C495Ae3776081ce130dd0a49C3020bC6336C
ID#683
Rarity
LO:59%
MUSEUM
DATALAND
X-LO:MIN
YEAR
2025
X-LO:MIN
COLLECTION
DATALAND FOUNDING COLLECTION
X-LO:MIN
SPECIES NAME
ILLUMINATUS FRONDENSIA
EX:MAX
CLUSTER
CREPUSCULAR LUMINAE