Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a member of the kingdom Fungi, which also includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. They are characterised by a stem (stipe) and a cap (pileus), with gills (lamellae) underneath the cap that produce spores. These spores are spread through the air or carried by insects and other animals, allowing the fungus to colonise new areas. While the mushroom fruiting bodies are short-lived, the underlying network of thread-like filaments (mycelium) can persist for long periods, with some colonies estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Mushrooms are a fungus fruit, with spores instead of seeds. |
| Taxonomy | Mushrooms constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. |
| Species | There are around 10,000-14,000 species of mushrooms. |
| Composition | Raw brown mushrooms are 92% water, 4% carbohydrates, 2% protein and less than 1% fat. |
| Nutrition | Mushrooms are a rich source of B vitamins, selenium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and potassium. |
| Structure | Mushrooms have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus) and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. |
| Spores | The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread. |
| Names | Mushrooms with deviations from the standard morphology have specific names like "bolete", "truffle", "puffball", etc. |
| Parasitism | Some mushrooms parasitise living trees. |
| Mutualism | Some mushrooms form mutually beneficial relationships with plant roots, helping with water and mineral absorption. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are a type of fungus
Mushrooms are formed from a mass of thread-like hyphae called a mycelium, which is the main form of fungi. The mycelium develops a fruiting structure, which is the mushroom. The mushroom emerges from the ground or a tree. Instead of seeds, mushrooms produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke. When spores land in a suitable place, they develop the fine filaments that become a new mycelium.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Hence, the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. "Mushroom" also describes a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America, and they vary in shape, size, and color. They play a vital role in nature and to humans. As saprophytes that break down dead materials, fungi are responsible for keeping us from drowning in a sea of leaf litter and fallen branches and sticks. Mushrooms are also a good source of B vitamins, selenium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.
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They are not plants or animals
Mushrooms are not plants or animals. They are fungi, constituting their own kingdom. While they may appear similar to plants, they lack chlorophyll and must obtain nutrients from other materials. This classifies them as saprophytes, which break down dead organic matter.
Fungi, including mushrooms, reproduce by producing spores, which are comparable to seeds in plants. These spores are formed on the underside of the mushroom's cap, which is called the hymenial layer. The gills on the underside of the cap produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across surfaces. These spores are almost as fine as smoke and are dispersed into the air. When spores land in a suitable environment, they germinate and develop into a new fungus.
The standard definition of a "mushroom" refers to the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. However, the term is loosely used to describe a variety of gilled fungi, with or without stems. Some atypical mushrooms, such as the lobster mushroom, have unique shapes and colors due to parasitic fungi.
Fungi, including mushrooms, play vital roles in nature and human society. They are responsible for breaking down dead materials, preventing the accumulation of leaf litter and fallen branches. Additionally, they form mutually beneficial relationships with plant roots, aiding in water and mineral absorption. In food and beverage production, fungi are essential, giving blue cheese its distinctive color, facilitating the fermentation process in bread and wine-making, and creating antibiotics and other drugs.
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Mushrooms have stems, gills and caps
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They are part of the Fungi kingdom, which also includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. They are not created equally, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and textures.
The standard image of a mushroom is the cultivated white button mushroom, which has a stem, a cap, and gills on the underside of the cap. The cap is also known as the pileus, and it holds the gills or pores. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. These spores are found under the mushroom cap, within the gills or pores. They are released in a fine powder and may travel some distance due to wind or animals before landing.
Mushrooms with gills that do not extend to the top of the stalk are called free gills, while those with gills that extend down the stalk are called decurrent gills. There are also attached gills, which include adnate gills, notched gills, and adnexed gills. True gills are separate parts of a mushroom that can be picked off, while false gills often appear as smooth ridges underneath the cap.
The caps of mushrooms can be smooth or covered with scales or teeth. The scales often appear as a result of cracking during growth. The caps can also have warts or volval patches, which are remnants of the universal veil that surrounds the developing fruit body.
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They produce spores, not seeds
Mushrooms are a fungus, and they are not plants or animals. They constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. They are more closely related to animals than they are to plants. The term "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae, sing. lamella). The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. The spores are called basidiospores, and they are produced on the gills, falling in a fine rain of powder from under the caps.
Mushrooms do not produce seeds; instead, they produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke. When spores land in a suitable place, they germinate, developing the fine filaments that eventually become a new mycelium. The mycelium is a mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus. The mycelium develops a fruiting structure, a mushroom, which emerges from the ground or a tree.
The spores are formed on the underside of the cap, on the hymenial layer. The gills on the underside of the cap can have different shapes. Some gills end right when the stipe begins, while others run down the length of the stem. Some gills fork into a Y-shape, and some alternate between a full-length gill and a short, partial gill.
The mycelium first forms a primordium, which enlarges into a roundish structure of interwoven hyphae, resembling an egg, called a "button". The button has a cottony roll of mycelium, the universal veil, that surrounds the developing fruit body. As the egg expands, the universal veil ruptures and may remain as a cup, or volva, at the base of the stalk, or as warts or volval patches on the cap.
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Mushrooms are edible, poisonous or unpalatable
Mushrooms are a part of the Fungi kingdom, which also includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. They are neither plants nor animals. Mushrooms are typically characterised by a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. However, not all mushrooms have these features, and the term "mushroom" is used loosely to describe a variety of fungal fruiting bodies.
Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Edible mushrooms are those that do not have poisonous effects on humans and have desirable taste and aroma. They are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value. Some commonly known edible mushrooms include the Giant Puffball, Chanterelle, Yellow Morel, and Shiitake. Edible mushrooms can be harvested wild or cultivated, and they can be found above or below ground. However, it is important to correctly identify wild mushrooms before consuming them to avoid poisonous look-alikes.
Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and, in some cases, even death. Some deadly poisonous mushrooms that are often confused with edible varieties include species from the Amanita genus, such as the Destroying Angel and the Death Cap. It is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before consumption and to avoid consuming any mushrooms unless you are certain of their edibility.
Some general rules for avoiding poisonous mushrooms include:
- Avoiding mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva.
- Avoiding mushrooms with any red on the cap, stem, or pores.
- If the flesh of the mushroom stains blue when cut, it is likely poisonous.
- If the mushroom has a strong chemical or unpleasant smell, it is likely toxic.
It is important to note that these rules do not guarantee the safety of all mushrooms, and proper identification is essential. Additionally, some mushrooms may be unpalatable, meaning they do not have desirable taste characteristics even if they are not poisonous.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms are a type of fungus. They are characterised by a stem (called a stipe) and a cap (called a pileus).
Some common mushrooms include the fairy-ring mushroom, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, and fly agarics. There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America alone.
Mushrooms develop from a nodule called a primordium, which is typically found on or near the surface of a substrate. The primordium enlarges into a round structure called a "button", which then ruptures and develops into a mushroom.
No, not all fungi are mushrooms. Fungi include yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts, which have different shapes and growth patterns compared to mushrooms.
Mushrooms are not plants or animals, but they constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. Fungi are eukaryotes, meaning their cells have a nucleus where DNA is stored.
