'Smoking' mushroom in Camarines Sur? Kuya Kim explains the sight

It's the rainy season! Mushrooms thrive in moist conditions, so don't be surprised to see mushrooms sprouting here and there.

Jojo Villareal, a mountaineer, caught sight of a mushroom while out foraging and documenting wildlife in the forests of Camarines Sur.

According to Kuya Kim on "24 Oras," Tuesday, Villareal was amazed to see the mushroom seemingly emitting smoke.

"Akala ko nga ambon lang. Tapos zinoom ko nang zinoom 'yung camera ko. Nakita ko talaga galing talaga sa mushroom," he said.

Instead of being frightened, he took a video of the mushroom, which made the rounds on social media. What looked like smoke was actually spores being released by the mushroom.

Although a mushroom may look it, it isn't actually a plant nor an animal. According to Kuya Kim, mushrooms belong to the fungi kingdom and usually grow at a fast rate.

He added that mushrooms begin as spores, which are microscopic biological particles that mushrooms release and are important for fungi reproduction.

Dr. Lani Dacones, an assistant professor of mycology at the Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman, also explained on "24 Oras" that mushrooms are closer to animals than plants.

"Mas close pa siyang relative ng animals than with plants. ‘Yung fungi actually is also where you would find mga molds or amag, eukaryotic organisms sila," she said.

"'Yung pag produce nila ng fruiting structure 'yun 'yung may conditions, most of the conditions nagkaroon ka ng enough moisture pero 'yung mataas na relative humidity."

Kuya Kim advised those who'd like to see mushrooms releasing their spores to be careful, as spores may trigger allergic reactions when inhaled.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News