Mushrooms discovered growing inside Föli bus in Turku area

The autumn mushroom harvest is flourishing, even in unusual places. Recently, mushrooms sprouted from a crack in the floor of a Föli bus operating in the Turku area, capturing the attention of passengers. Numerous photos of these mushrooms have been shared on social media alongside other mushroom images.

Mycologist Jouni Issakainen noted that this phenomenon is not particularly unusual, having previously encountered mushrooms growing in vehicles, including rare species sprouting from a truck. He explained that decomposer fungi obtain nutrients by breaking down wood and plant material, suggesting that the presence of mushrooms indicates hidden wooden structures such as plywood panels or wood supports in the bus.

Mushroom mycelium grows within the wooden structures beneath the bus floor, with the visible mushrooms serving as their reproductive organs. Issakainen mentioned that the presence of fungi does not necessarily indicate unhygienic conditions; rather, they may thrive due to moisture left after diligent cleaning. If the bus had been washed thoroughly, humidity could linger in areas between metal plates.

According to Föli’s planning manager Lauri Jorasmaa, this incident is a one-off occurrence. After the bus was cleaned over the weekend, the conditions became favorable for mushroom growth. Once the bus company became aware of the situation, the mushrooms were promptly removed.

The incident has prompted some feedback, mostly humorous in tone, with people wondering about the type of mushrooms involved. Issakainen explained that identifying the species from social media images is challenging, but possibilities include edible species like honey mushrooms or oyster mushrooms, which should be cooked before consumption.

Föli does not plan to take any action regarding this isolated event, but emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in its bus services. Issakainen humorously suggested that while the bus’s primary purpose is not as a mushroom substrate, wooden buses could potentially serve as carbon sinks, following the trend of increasing wooden buildings.