Traveler's Friend, a Mycologist's Report

Or, on Discerning Among A Variety of Similar Common Fungi.

Written by Artellia

Three Commonly Confused Spongiform Fungi

Traveler's Friend

Planta Spongia Hypericum indeses

Traveler's Friend is the common name for Planta Spongia Hypericum indeses, a spongiform fungus typically found in warm humid forests on recently downed trees. Its common name derives from the fact that when consumed by most humanoids and many monstrous species it produces both relief from exhaustion as well as a boost in energy. If consumed at the wrong point in its life cycle, the spores it can contain can cause vivid though usually not frightening hallucinations.

Traveler's False Friend

Planta Spongia Hypericum atrox

Traveler's False Friend is the common name for Planta Spongia Hypericum atrox, a spongiform fungus typically also found in warm humid forests on recently downed trees. It is known as the false friend because while in nearly every way it appears to be Hypericum indexes, it is not and the trick is particularly nasty when the False friend is consumed. It causes incapacitating stomach pain and seizing, followed by unconsciousness and the most deranged and nightmarish fever dreams the victim has likely ever experienced. A false friend indeed.

False Traveler's Friend

Planta Spongia Morsus esculentus

False Traveler's Friend is the common name for Planta Spongia Morsus esculentus, one of a variety of spongiform fungus typically found in warm humid forests on recently downed trees. Its common name derives from its confusion with Planta Spongia Hypericum indeses, Traveler's Friend. False Traveler's Friend appears identical in most ways. Only slight variations in its form and color from true Traveler's Friend give it away. It is in fact, though, rather mundane although very tasty.

Basic Information

Anatomy

All three species have nearly identical outward anatomy and appearance. They are full-bodied spongiform fungi forming mound like fruit with a base of deeply rooted tendrils. The fruiting bodies tend to a vaguely conical shape taller than the body is wide, lumpy, with wide pores. All three species typically grow on the upper surface of downed trees.

Biological Traits

Traveler's Friend

Planta Spongia Hypericum indeses

Hypericum indeses has apothicological properties when eaten raw. Primarily in the fruiting body, a substance is present which produces sudden and powerful energy within the individual who consumes a substantial portion. It alleviates exhaustion encountered when exerting one's self for too long as well as the lethargy and urges to sleep present in those awake for prolonged periods. Additionally, for a shorter period of time, upon the consumption of the fruiting body, the boost in energy may be so intense as to allow the individual to surpass normal limitations with regard to mobility. The strength of these effects ebb and flow with the maturity of the fruit, but care must be taken to avoid consuming the Hypericum indeses while it is still full of spores. The spores are responsible for another apothicological effect, intense visions and the particular predicament of vivid illusory images, sounds, and even smells. It is outside this mycologist's purview to relay in detail the experiences of those who have imbibed tinctures of the Hypericum indeses spore, but suffice it to say they report reality melting away as if by flame to wax.

Traveler's False Friend

Planta Spongia Hypericum atrox

Hypericum atrox is even more apothicologically active than Hypericum indeses; it has earned its name of False Friend. The altering of the senses and presentation of illusions is far more potent, long-lasting, and frightful. Additionally, in stark contrast to the mobilizing effects of the Hypericum indeses, Hypericum atrox causes rapid paralysis which usually lasts throughout the illusory experience.

False Traveler's Friend

Planta Spongia Morsus esculentus

Morsus esculentus is delicious but apothicologically inactive.

Genetics and Reproduction

Most spongiform fungi such as there go through a life cycle ending in a large mass having been grown, called a fruit. The fruit of the fungi produces spores which are emitted via the pores in the surface of the fruit. Once the spores have been released the entire organism dies and decomposes. The release of spores is when these three species really show their true colors. Both Hypericums release a purple spore and typically do so on humid nights. The release of spores will only rarely stain the fruiting body and if it does so the fruit is stained very slightly bluish black. A Morsus one the other hand will release yellow spores when warmed by full sun. They stain their fruiting body more often and do so more strongly with a brown mustard color.

Growth Rate & Stages

Spongiform fungi begin life as a spore. released en masse they drift out of their parent fungus almost like fumes. When they settle on a surface that can support them, they absorb water out of the air and surroundings and put out tendrils. These begin burying themselves in the substrate the fungus is growing into. For hours or days depending on species and environmental factors, the most influential being relative humidity, the spongiform fungus grows beneath the surface expanding a network of thin long tendrils throught the area. When a critical size is reached representing a sufficient amount of nutrients, growth will shift to forming a fruiting body. This stage of development progresses quickly, in ideal conditions it can take only a couple of hours. This fruit will then appear to ripen, like the fruit of a tree. The color will shift and its texture will mature. This is a reflection of an internal process happening, the fruiting body is filling with spores, readying itself for its final stage of life, reproduction. Each species has slightly different preferences in when to fume or release their spores, but at some point, they are triggered to do so. Once this final and most important stage is complete, the fungus dies and decomposes fairly rapidly.

Ecology and Habitats

Spongiform fungi in general and these three varieties, in particular, prefer warm humid places. They typically grow on a wood medium, often a fallen tree. They typically thrive when the wood stays saturated with water but not too much or the fruiting body can become oversaturated and succumb to early rotting. It also needs to be at least warm and wet enough to maintain moderate to high humidity to avoid drying up, but no hotter. These ecological requirements typically translate to a habitate found in subtropical areas as well as warmer temperate areas.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Some individuals create apothicologically potent concentrates of the active portions of the Hypericum species. Formulations including the spores of one or both of the presented species exist to create tinctures for personal consumption as well as oils for the slicking of blades and darts. The body of Hypericum indeses, unadulterated by spores, is used in many healing and restorative potions.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

gathering rate of this fungus to supplement what it can extract on its own out of the wood. By doing so, these varieties are able to form compounds that can cause powerful physiological effects in those that consume them. Hypericum fungi are considered parasitic to a variety of slime fungi and when present generally significantly weaken but not often kill the slime fungus.

Scientific Name

• Planta Spongia Hypericum indeses
• Planta Spongia Hypericum atrox
• Planta Spongia Morsus esculentus

Lifespan

3 days

Average Height

13-27 cm

Average Weight

240-2,170 g

Average Length

8-16 cm

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Pale bodied with overall variation between a chalk white and a dirty grey. Brown marks indicate bruising or rot. Coloration around the pores can signal spore status as well as help discern specific species. Yellow or mustard brown staining around the edges of pores indicates Morsus esculentus while dark blue-grey stains would indicate a Hypericum species. Discerning between Hypericum species is a more difficult task requiring some specific tests using specialized equipment.