Fran Guard, an 80-year-old retired general practitioner, has been producing ground-breaking mycological work. Since retirement, she has sought out every opportunity and resource to study fungi. Her passion has contributed to the discovery—and official naming—of seven new species, all of which were published in the journal Fungal Systematics and Evolution. Her research is deepening scientific understanding and highlighting the critical need to protect rainforest ecosystems.
Guard’s interest in fungi started when she and her husband purchased a farm in Maleny. This quaint town is located in the lush, mountainous Sunshine Coast hinterland. That early interest grew into a deep commitment to the adventures in learning and exploration. Fran’s magical ability to locate mushrooms is her “Midas touch.” During her time in school, she has discovered a staggering 21 new species.
Significant Discoveries
Among her many discoveries are species of purple pinwheel fungi, the Australian endemic species Marasmius wianwian. This particular species has only been located in three areas: northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland. The Guard’s investigatory work employs DNA testing. Through this testing, each of her findings have been confirmed to be a different species of Marasmius.
This has been my lifetime work,” Guard said of her years spent studying the issue over a series of crashes. Someone suggested that to me, and I was like, oh, there’s a challenge. Further emboldened by the challenge, she doubled down on her studies. Her extraordinary discoveries have vastly deepened our understanding of fungi and their ecological roles.
The Importance of Fungi
Fran Guard reminds us that fungi are the unsung heroes of our ecosystem. Fungi have been neglected by the scientific community, “the victim of a dearth of science, of people studying them,” she said. You need to really experience their full length, beauty and impact on the environment. Not until then can you begin to appreciate their value. Through her work, she shines a much-deserved spotlight on fungi, the critical recyclers of their ecosystems. Without them, we would be chest deep in dead leaf litter,” she continued.
Her findings point to the sensitive balance that exists within rainforest ecosystems, and the importance of focused conservation efforts. “We have to really think about how we look after those little bits of rainforest that are still conserved,” Guard explained. They are critically important for the entire conservation of nature.”
A Passionate Pursuit
As Fran Guard’s path to mycology shows, adult education can produce surprising and transformative results. With her profound attention to detail, she’s been able to discover lovely, vibrant species that are hidden in plain sight. Painted fungi “It’s hard to describe, but the Marasmius I’m studying right now are just beautiful, incredibly colorful,” she described. You don’t notice them most of the time unless you’re super focused on them.
Her discoveries are pushing the scientific world forward while inspiring us to expand our appreciation for the wonderful world of fungi that’s all around us, but easily missed. By simply extending her research, Fran Guard is making an impact far beyond her direct academic contributions and helping protect our public lands in a much bigger capacity.
