Rašeliniště Přebuz
Fungi
Eight species of fungi are represented. Biotopes with a prevalence of plants in advanced stages of ecological succession attract fungi whose mycorrhiza is tied to pioneer seedling woody plants such as Silver Birch, Goat Willow, Poplar and Quaking Aspen.
Mycorrhiza – symbiotic relationship of mushrooms and
higher plants, during which fungi attach themselves to plant roots, from which
both organisms benefit. In endomycorrhiza, the fungus penetrates the root cells
of the plant. This symbiosis is preferred by strongly specialized fungi species
which depend entirely on their hosts for their survival. 
In ectomycorrhiza, which is less frequent, fungi create a hyphal
sheath around the root, which considerably increases the surface of the whole
system and, as a result, improves the effectiveness of the water economy. This
form of mycorrhiza is the choice of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota species, which
include the majority of edible ones. Plants supply the fungi with energy –
water with dissolved nutrients. Mycorrhizae mushrooms have a positive influence
on the populations of the root system microorganisms and their enzymatic
activity, which is good for the nutrition, growth and condition of the
plants.
Dead Man’s Foot is an earth-ball like mushroom used as spice. The
sporocarp is of a regular and oblong shape, 5–15cm in diameter. The external
skin is ochre in colour; older specimen may be brown. The taste and aroma is
strongly spicy. The mushroom occurs occasionally in forests and dumps. It has a
mycorrhizal association with pines. 
