Four-spot Stoplight Mushroom
Anatomy
These mushrooms grow only a few centimetres tall, but their caps can reach up to 10cm in diameter. The caps are wide and round. Each stem produces 3 caps, each glowing a different colour.
These colours are limited to red, amber and green, which is why these mushrooms are referred to as stoplight mushrooms. These caps have 4 spots, where the spores erupt from. The stems are thick, and a white colour.
Reproduction
Millions of spores are produced between the gills, which, when ready to disperse, funnel into the cap and are shot out of the four spots on the top. The spores are ready to leave about 4 weeks after the mushrooms has started growing, and the spores will erupt every 2 weeks after that.
When a spore germinates, it grows stem first, then it produces the cap. After about a week, two new caps will grow out of the stems, representing the 3 colours of a stoplight.
Habitat
Four-spot stoplight mushrooms are endemic to the Phosphorian Cave region in southern Tropacia. They grow in the dim light, giving off light themselves as they dot the grounds, using their roots to navigate their way to the lakes and ponds to keep surviving in the semi-harsh conditions. They grow in the larger dens, where there is the best access to minerals in the ground and water from the lakes.
Uses
The invention of the stoplight is partially thanks to this mushroom species. When the caves were discovered, the mushrooms were commonly brought back and kept to grow in small containers, as their unusual colours were fascinating for botanists.
When methods of transportation and traffic control were being evaluated and improved, the idea of the stoplight system was mentioned. A design was drafted, but the people hadn't decided on colours. One of the designers remembered the mushrooms he had in his home, and they used those colours as inspiration. Stoplights are now used all over the world, all thanks to this small mushroom.
The name of the mushroom was then changed from Four-spot mushroom to Four-spot stoplight mushroom.
I really like how these mushrooms inspired the stoplights! That is really neat. I do have one question though, are they edible or poisonous?
Oooh! Great question! Despite many plants being poisonous, everything is edible on my planet :D These particular ones are not poisonous, and are very delicious.