communication

I learned in mushroom class that when a dead tree falls, it actually communicates to the mycelium within that it is time to fruit. You can thump your mushroom logs to stimulate this process. I guess that means it actually does make a sound if no one is there to hear it! Also, mushrooms being the fruit of the fungi, you can think of the mycelium as the “plant.” It can span miles sometimes even acres and is considered to be the original internet. These mycelia nets communicate chemically underground with the plants and help certain ones to grow. Our native orchid, the Ladyslipper depends on a certain mycelium combo to grow. Without that communication, it cannot flourish.
Trillium have an interesting symbiotic communication with ants, who feed off the fat surrounding their seeds and carry them into their dens, hence planting the next generation. If there were no ants we would see a rapid decline in the Trillium population among other issues. Did you know a Trillium can be over 70 years old? Plants communicate with each other as anyone who knows about companion planting will attest. When I was learning form a Native elder, and a man was coming down the trail he motioned that the guy was in a bad mood. “How do you know?” I asked. He told me it was because the plants were leaning away from him!
The plants, animals, insects and Nature herself are powerful communicators if you know how to listen and respond. It is NOT a dead world out there! The more we connect with natural rhythms and humble ourselves to learn, the richer the forest becomes. Our part in the dance will be so much smoother if we open our hearts in communication with the forest.