Entanglements: Lichens, Mycelium, Soils and Plants

During our walks at Cubbon Park, Biplab and I search for networks above and below the soil. We zoom into a world that underpins plant networks: mycelium. Sometimes referred to as the wood wide web – a contested metaphor for its techno-optimistic humanisation – fungi form networks that are called mycelium which transfer nutrients and minerals between plants. We look for mushrooms, the fruiting bodies of fungi that signal the presence of mycelium underground, as well as small formations of mycelium on rotting wood. We encounter another entangled life form throughout our walks: Lichens, a symbiosis between algae or cyanobacteria and filaments of fungi.

A closeup photo shows lichens on a wooden branch. They form thick, patchy structures in a turquoise color with violet dark spots atop. A close up photo shows the structures of lichens on a wooden branch. The lichens form thick, nested structures and have colors ranging from a greyish blue to dark violet spots. In between, the brown structures of the bark come through, which are partially covered with fine moss. On the bark of a branch, a fine white network of mycelium spreads out. The mycelium is white, and very fine, so that its edges resemble fine fibers. A branch is covered in white mycelium from its outside, whereas its inside is visible through a split in the wood that shows that it is actually hollow. The bark cracks at different positions, and the mycelium grows around these cracks. On a piece of bark, a fine white network of mycelium spreads out. The way the closeup is taken, the mycelium is well lit and sits atop the wooden structure like snow sits on the ground on a cold day. The camera has zoomed in on multiple patches of mycelium on the bark of a tree. The mycelium structures are white with brown speckles, and look otherworldly. A magnifying glass enlarges the center of the image and puts mushrooms with small white caps into focus. A multitude of small brown mushrooms emerge from the wet soil. The sunlight offers warm rays, that also meet a patch of grass in the lower part of the photo. The same mushrooms as in the previous image have dried up: Their caps have shrunken and are pointing downwards towards the soil. Five branches and logs of varying sizes have been arranged on the floor and photographed from above, with bark and two leaves next to them. On the branches, lichens and mycelium networks grow. The leaves are covered with small red dot-like structures of unknown origin. This photo shows the same elements as the close ups and gives a sense of scale.