Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Fungi are a separate kingdom from plants and animals, and include microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as mushrooms. Fungi acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, and do not photosynthesize. They grow in a polar fashion, by elongation at the tip (apex) of the hypha. Mushrooms are the fleshy fruiting bodies of some fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota. They have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap, which produce microscopic spores to help the fungus spread. Some mushrooms are not gilled, and may have pores, spines, or other features instead.
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms
- Mushrooms have stems, caps, and gills, but not all fungi do
- Mushrooms produce microscopic spores, similar to pollen or seeds
- Fungi grow in soil, wood, or other materials, while mushrooms are more conspicuous
- Mushrooms are often edible, but some fungi are toxic
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms
Mushrooms are the fleshy fruiting bodies of some fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota, but also of some other groups. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which has a stem, a cap, and gills on the underside of the cap. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread.
The term "mushroom" is also used to describe a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems, and some nongilled mushrooms. Some have pores underneath, and others have spines. The term is commonly applied to macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies rather than having a precise taxonomic meaning.
Mushrooms play a similar role to flowers or fruits in plants for those fungi that produce them. They produce microscopic spores, and the rest of the fungal organism typically lives in the soil, wood, or some other material. Many mushroom-producing species are important decomposers, particularly of wood, and some have a symbiotic relationship with particular species of plants.
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Mushrooms have stems, caps, and gills, but not all fungi do
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Fungi are a separate kingdom from plants and animals, and they include microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as mushrooms. Fungi acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, and they do not photosynthesize. They grow by extending in one direction, and they can also form multicellular structures, including reproductive cells.
Mushrooms, specifically, are the fleshy fruiting bodies of some fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota, but also of some other groups. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which has a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
However, not all mushrooms have gills, and the term "mushroom" is used loosely to describe a variety of fungal fruiting bodies. Some mushrooms have pores underneath, such as boletes, while others have spines, like the hedgehog mushroom and other tooth fungi. The term "mushroom" is often used to describe the edible fruiting bodies, while the term toadstool is reserved for the inedible ones.
In modern molecularly defined classifications, not all members of the order Agaricales produce mushroom fruit bodies, and many other gilled fungi occur in other orders of the class Agaricomycetes. Additionally, some fungi that deviate from the standard morphology of mushrooms have more specific names, such as "truffle", "puffball", "stinkhorn", and "morel". These names often reflect the unique characteristics of these fungi, such as their shape, colour, or mode of growth.
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Mushrooms produce microscopic spores, similar to pollen or seeds
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Mushrooms produce microscopic spores, similar to pollen or seeds. These spores help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. The gills of the mushroom produce these spores, which can sometimes number in the trillions. The spores develop in different ways, which can only be detected under a microscope. The spores may travel through the air or water.
The mushroom itself is the conspicuous umbrella-shaped fruiting body of certain fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota, but also of some other groups. The term mushroom is used to identify the edible fruiting bodies, while the term toadstool is often reserved for the inedible ones. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. This fungus has a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae, sing. lamella) on the underside of the cap.
The mushroom develops from a primordium, a nodule or pinhead less than two millimetres in diameter, which is typically found on or near the surface of the substrate. This primordium is formed within the mycelium, the mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus. As the mycelium grows, it produces strands (hyphae) that grow in all directions, eventually forming a circular mat of underground hyphal threads. The fruiting bodies are produced near the edge of this mat and may widen the ring for hundreds of years.
The mycelium will produce a new crop of sporophores each year during its fruiting season, as long as nourishment, temperature, and moisture are suitable. The fertile portion of some mushrooms, called the gleba, may become powdery, as in puffballs, or slimy, as in stinkhorns. The cystidia, or thread-like sterile cells, are often used to verify the identification of a mushroom.
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Fungi grow in soil, wood, or other materials, while mushrooms are more conspicuous
Fungi and mushrooms are often mistaken for each other, but they have distinct characteristics. Fungi grow in soil, wood, or other materials, while mushrooms are more conspicuous, forming umbrella-shaped fruiting bodies that sometimes resemble plants like mosses.
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that play a crucial role in ecological systems as decomposers. They acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules and secreting digestive enzymes into their environment. They grow in various environments, including soil, wood, and other materials. Fungi, like the artist's conk (Ganoderma applanatum), can be found growing on dead or dying trees. They break down organic matter and contribute to the natural process of decomposition.
Mushrooms, on the other hand, are the fruiting bodies of certain fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota, but also of some other groups. They develop from a small nodule, called a primordium, which enlarges into a round structure called a "button." This button then matures into the recognisable mushroom shape with a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) underneath the cap. These gills produce microscopic spores that help the fungus spread, similar to how flowers or fruits facilitate reproduction in plants.
While all mushrooms are fungi, not all fungi produce mushrooms. Some well-known mushrooms include the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus genus), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), chanterelles (Cantharellus genus), and morels (Morchella genus). These mushrooms are prized for their delicate flavour and texture and, in some cases, medicinal properties.
The distinction between fungi and mushrooms lies in their visibility and function within the fungal organism. Fungi are often hidden, growing in various substrates, while mushrooms are the conspicuous reproductive structures that aid in spore dispersal and potential colonisation.
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Mushrooms are often edible, but some fungi are toxic
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Mushrooms are the conspicuous fruiting bodies of fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota, but also of some other groups. The term "mushroom" is often used to refer to the edible fruiting bodies, while the term toadstool is reserved for the inedible ones.
Many species of mushrooms are edible and highly prized, such as Morchella esculenta, Cantharellus cibarius, and Craterellus cornucopioides. Edible truffles (Tuber species), which hardly resemble mushrooms, are also popularly labelled as mushrooms. These edible mushrooms and fungi are free of cholesterol and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins. They are also a good source of dietary fibre and have an agreeable texture.
However, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are edible. Some mushrooms are toxic and can cause poisoning, which may be fatal or result in mild gastrointestinal disturbances or slight allergic reactions. For example, the panther cap mushroom (Amanita pantherina) is closely related to the highly poisonous death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Additionally, some species in the genus Psilocybe are psychoactive and can cause hallucinations, which are considered a type of toxicity.
The distinction between edible and toxic mushrooms can be challenging, and proper identification is crucial. Identification to the species level requires examining the mature structure of the mushroom, as only this stage possesses certain characteristics necessary for accurate identification. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution when foraging or consuming wild mushrooms to avoid potential health risks associated with toxic varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all mushrooms are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Fungi are a separate kingdom from plants and animals, and mushrooms are a part of this kingdom.
The term "mushroom" is typically used to identify edible fungi, while "toadstool" is reserved for inedible ones.
Mushrooms develop from a small nodule called a primordium, which enlarges into a round structure called a "button". This then develops into a mature mushroom with a stem, cap, and gills. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread.
Fungi, including mushrooms, are heterotrophs. They acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules and secreting digestive enzymes into their environment.
Some well-known mushrooms include the button mushroom, oyster mushrooms, shiitake, chanterelle, horn-of-plenty, and the panther cap mushroom. Some mushrooms are also known for their psychoactive properties, such as those in the genus Psilocybe.
