funga

The Cambridge Dictionary has recently included funga as a headword with the meaning ‘all the fungi that grow in a particular area or a particular period in time’.  But fungi activists (yes there are mycologists who feel that fungi have suffered a deep neglect amounting to injustice) want funga to be the third living kingdom, alongside flora and fauna.   Fungi may have previously been thought of as part of flora but genetically they are more akin to fauna so it is best if they are categorised as their own kingdom.  It also means that people give them separate consideration which, given their significance in the ecology, is only right.

Fungi have even been given recognition in the Labor Party platform at the recent national conference, with federal Environment Minister, Murray Watt, recognising fungi as part of Australia’s environment and biodiversity, equal to flora and fauna, and committing Labor to conserving and restoring ‘flora, fauna, fungi, oceans and waterways’.  Our funga can be proud!