Spalting Fungi, Pigment Ecology & Wood Anatomy - Dr. Seri Robinson

Mushroom Revival Podcast

Today’s show is all about spalting fungi and its unique mycology. This time, we are joined by THE expert, Dr. Seri Robinson, who has been studying the phenomena for over a decade. Aside from spalting’s unique mycology, we discuss the auspicious applications of these fungi and their metabolites.

Seri is an artist and Professor of wood anatomy at Oregon State University. They were introduced to spalted woods through wood working, quickly discovering the lack of information about the phenomena, and therefore pioneering a new subfield of science.

Topics Covered:

• A look into Dr. Seri Robinson’s life as an artist and scientist, and their unconventional path to studying spalted woods
• The history and urban legends of spalted wood
• Defining spalted wood and spalting fungi
• Specific environmental conditions for spalting fungi
• How to spalt wood in the lab
• Ecology of fungal pigments
• Function of fungal pigments, especially fungal melanin
• Decay stages of fungi and how that affects wood spalting
• How to extract the spalting pigment
• Chlorociboria’s pigments and it’s impressive applications
• Wood anatomy and how fungi are influenced by their substrates

Show notes:

• Spalting Cooperative Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spalting
• Northern Spatling: https://www.northernspalting.com/
• Spalted Wood Book: https://www.amazon.com/Spalted-Wood-History-Science-Material/dp/0764350382/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=0764350382&psc=1
• Spalting 101 Book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spalting-101-dr-seri-c-robinson/1137088019?ean=9780764360893
• Publication on zone line mycology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127521000332
• Xylindein pigment research: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/fungi-produced-pigment-shows-promise-semiconductor-material

www.mushroomrevival.com

We are a functional mushroom company and make 100% certified USDA Organic and Vegan mushroom supplements. We are transparent with our lab results, and use actual fruiting bodies aka mushrooms! We provide our supplements in tincture, capsule, powder, and delicious gummy form.

Energy (Cordyceps): Need a little pick-me-up before a workout or when you’re picking up your kids from school? The Energy Cordyceps is the mushy match for you.

Focus (Lion’s Mane): Needing a little more focus in your daily life? Lion’s Mane is known to be the mushroom for the brain and may support cognitive function.

Calm (Reishi): Looking for some tranquility and zen in your life? Reishi will bring you into the zen state of mind you’ve been searching for.

Daily 10 (Mushroom Mix): It’s like having 10 bodyguard mushrooms fighting off all those bad guys. This is a good place to start as it contains all of the daily mushies you need.

Not sure where to begin? Take our mushroom quiz here.

Use code ‘PODTREAT’ for a 30% discount.