Michael Davis
Toadstools and mushrooms are often used interchangeably, but the term toadstool usually refers to poisonous mushrooms. Toadstools are believed to be inedible or toxic, while mushrooms are considered edible. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two, and the terms are used to describe specific types of fungi. Both toadstools and mushrooms are fruiting bodies of fungi that get their nutrients from decaying organic matter, aiming to release spores for reproduction. While the terms are used interchangeably, it is crucial to identify mushrooms correctly before consumption to avoid any potential health risks associated with poisonous varieties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Mushrooms are the sexual fruiting bodies of certain fungi. |
| Taxonomy | The term "mushroom" does not have a precise taxonomic meaning. |
| Morphology | Most mushrooms are gilled and have a cap and stem. However, some have pores or spines instead of gills. |
| Microscopic Features | Mushrooms have cell walls made of chitin, the substance that makes bugs crunchy. |
| Reproduction | Mushrooms reproduce sexually, with spores released from the gills. |
| Edibility | Mushrooms may be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. |
| Medicinal Properties | Many mushrooms have medicinal properties, including immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial effects. |
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What You'll Learn
Medicinal mushrooms
There are an estimated 140,000 species of mushrooms in the world, and only about 10% of them have been characterized. Mushrooms have been used for their culinary and nutritional value for centuries, but they are now also gaining recognition for their medicinal properties. The world of medicinal mushrooms is vast and diverse, ranging from those that create penicillin and other antibiotics to the thousands of fungi species with unique secondary metabolites that offer various health benefits.
One notable example of a medicinal mushroom is Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), which has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its tonic properties and ability to enhance concentration during meditation. Indigenous peoples of pre-colonial US, Canada, and Australia also utilized Lion's Mane for its medicinal and nutritional qualities. Another well-known medicinal mushroom is Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which has been documented in Chinese Taoist texts for over 2000 years for its calming and meditative benefits.
Additionally, medicinal mushrooms can provide support for gut health, stress management, and brain and nerve health. They contain active compounds such as triterpenoids and beta-glucans, which exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Triterpenoids, for instance, possess anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering, liver-protective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. Beta-glucans, on the other hand, are polysaccharides that up-regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation by increasing the level of anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body.
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Identifying mushrooms
The term "mushroom" is used loosely to refer to a wide variety of macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies. While some mushrooms have the classic cap and stem structure, others deviate from this morphology and have more specific names like "bolete", "truffle", "puffball", and "stinkhorn".
Macroscopic Features
The most common mushrooms are basidiomycetes and have gills. The way the gills attach to the top of the stalk varies and is an important feature for identification. Some mushrooms have free gills that do not extend to the top of the stalk, found in genera like Agaricus, Amanita, Lepiota, and Pluteus. Others have decurrent gills that extend down the stalk, such as in the genera Omphalotus and Pleurotus. There are also various types of attached gills, including adnate gills, notched gills, and adnexed gills.
Some mushrooms, however, do not have gills at all. For example, chanterelles have wrinkled folds known as "false gills", while oyster mushrooms have small "teeth" or spines hanging from the underside of their caps. The shape and structure of the cap and stem are also important identifying features.
Microscopic Characteristics
At the microscopic level, mushrooms produce spores called basidiospores on their gills. These spores fall in a fine powder when mature. By cutting off the cap and placing it gill-side-down overnight, you can observe the powdery impression formed, which reflects the shape of the gills, pores, or spines. The colour of this spore print is a valuable tool for classifying and identifying mushrooms, with common colours including white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy shades.
Habitat
The habitat in which you find a mushroom can also provide clues to its identity. For instance, the northern tooth fungus is a parasite that grows on dying maple trees, while chanterelles are typically found on the ground at the edge of trails in mixed hardwood forests.
Chemical Reactions
Some mushrooms exhibit distinct chemical reactions when exposed to certain substances, which can aid in their identification.
Field Guides and Online Resources
Remember, when it comes to mushroom identification, practice makes perfect. Always exercise caution and refrain from consuming any mushrooms unless you are certain of their edibility.
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Mushroom morphology
Parts of a Mushroom
The mushroom, as we typically envision it, is the fruiting body of a larger fungal organism. It consists of several distinct parts, each serving a specific purpose:
- Cap (Pileus): The cap is the umbrella-like structure that sits atop the stem. It acts as a protective covering for the spore-bearing surface beneath. The overall form and shape of the cap can vary and change as the mushroom matures. The surface texture or features of the cap can differ greatly, and the margins (edge) describe the contour and characteristics of its perimeter.
- Stem (Stipe): The stem, or stipe, functions as a pillar that elevates the cap above the ground or growth medium. It has distinctive features that are crucial for accurate mushroom identification. The shape of the stem can vary, ranging from cylindrical to more irregular forms. The surface texture may be smooth, fibrous, or exhibit other tactile characteristics. The colour, durability, and pliability of the stem are also important factors in identification.
Gills and Spores
Most mushrooms are basidiomycetes and gilled. The gills, or lamellae, are found on the underside of the cap and play a crucial role in spore production and dispersal. The gills can be free, decurrent, or attached, with various subtypes like adnate, notched, and adnexed gills, each attaching to the stalk in a distinct manner.
Mushrooms produce microscopic spores called basidiospores on their gills. These spores fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. At the microscopic level, the basidiospores are shot off from the basidia and fall between the gills in the dead air space. The colour of the spore print, known as the spore print, is an important tool for classifying and identifying mushrooms. Common colours include white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy shades, while blue, green, and red are rarely observed.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of a mushroom begins with spore germination. In favourable environments, spores grow into hyphae, the fungal threads that form the foundation of the mushroom's body. As the hyphae interconnect, they create a web-like structure called mycelium. Given the right conditions, the mycelium gives rise to new mushrooms, recognised as the fruiting bodies. Once matured, these mushrooms release spores, thus completing the life cycle.
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Mushroom reproduction
Mushrooms are part of the fungi kingdom, distinct from animals and plants. They reproduce through a combination of asexual and sexual mechanisms, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions and colonize new areas.
Asexual reproduction in mushrooms can occur through fragmentation of the mycelium, the vegetative part of the fungus that spreads underground and absorbs nutrients. As the mycelium expands, it can break into fragments, with each fragment developing into a new individual. Some mushrooms also reproduce asexually through budding, where a small outgrowth from the parent fungus becomes a new individual mushroom or fruiting body. Asexual spores are genetically identical to the parent and may be released externally or within a reproductive sac called a sporangium.
Sexual reproduction in mushrooms involves the formation of "seeds" or spores, which are produced in structures called fruiting bodies. The spores are typically dispersed by wind, water, or insects to new locations, where they can germinate and develop into new colonies. Sexual reproduction introduces genetic variation, allowing the fungus to adapt to new environments. During sexual reproduction, two types of mating types are produced. When both mating types are present in the same mycelium, it is called homothallic or self-fertile. Heterothallic mycelia require two different but compatible mycelia for sexual reproduction.
The sexual reproduction process in fungi consists of three stages: plasmogamy, karyogamy, and meiosis. Plasmogamy involves the fusion of two haploid cells, resulting in a dikaryotic stage with two haploid nuclei in a single cell. During karyogamy, the haploid nuclei fuse to form a diploid zygote nucleus. Finally, meiosis occurs in the gametangia organs, generating gametes of different mating types.
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Edible vs poisonous mushrooms
There are over 1.5 million mushroom species worldwide, with around 80,000-88,000 identified. Of these, only about 12 have been domesticated for cultivation as food. Some wild mushrooms are edible, while others are very toxic, and many look alike, making it hard to tell the difference. Even toxicology experts often have trouble identifying poisonous mushrooms.
The vast majority of mushroom-related deaths are caused by species in the genus Amanita. These include the Destroying Angel (A. virosa) and the Death Cap (A. phalloides). Amanita mushrooms have white gills and spores and grow from a sack-like or bulbous structure called a volva. Other poisonous mushrooms include the Jack O'Lantern, which looks similar to the edible Chanterelle, and the False Morel, which resembles the edible Morel.
To avoid poisonous mushrooms, some general rules include avoiding those with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous base. Mushrooms with red on the cap or stem, or those that stain blue when cut, should also be treated as poisonous. If you are foraging for mushrooms, it is important to carry a field guide and collect only those that are positively identified as edible. If you are a novice, it is recommended to search for mushrooms with an experienced mycologist.
If you accidentally ingest an unidentified mushroom, seek medical care immediately, even if there are no symptoms. Bring a sample of the mushroom in a sealed bag to help healthcare providers determine the next steps.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, toadstools are a type of mushroom. However, the term toadstool is often used to refer to poisonous mushrooms.
Observe the characteristics of the mushroom (colour, size, shape, pores/gills/spines, spore colour, flesh colour, habitat, season, stem colour, ring, volva, root, mycelium, smell, taste, latex, warts, colour change, and growth medium) and compare them to a quality identification guide.
Poisonous mushrooms were historically associated with toads because toads were known to be carriers of toxins and diseases.
Poisonous mushrooms can cause minor gastrointestinal infections, psychosomatic issues such as confusion and anxiety, or worse, death.
The word mushroom was in flux between 1400 and 1600 AD, with people referring to fungi as mushrom, mushrum, mousheroms, mussherons, musserouns, and muscherons. The word toadstool likely comes from fairy tales and folk tales about toads sitting on top of them.
