Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing bodies of fungi that can be seen by the naked eye and picked by hand. They typically appear above the ground or on their food source and many have a cap, stem, and gills. While the most recognizable type of mushroom may be the simple, white button mushroom, there are over 10,000 known species, with estimates ranging from 14,000 to 3.8 million species. Of these, only about 200 species have been cultivated, with about 20 reaching large-scale cultivation. Mushrooms exhibit a wide variety of shapes, colors, and morphological characteristics, and they occupy many different ecological niches. They are also an important source of nutrition and medicine for humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mushroom species | 10,000-14,000 identified species, estimated total of 1.5-5 million species |
| Number of cultivated species | 200 |
| Number of edible species | 1800-3000 |
| Number of medicinal species | Over 100 |
| Number of psychoactive species | 180 |
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What You'll Learn
There are over 10,000 known species of mushrooms
The number of known mushroom species is constantly growing, with mycologists discovering new species and relations. Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing body of a fungus, and they typically appear above the ground or on their food source. They have a short lifespan and can be difficult to study in the field. The term "mushroom" is used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Some mushrooms are cultivated outdoors in forests or shady environments with good humidity and airflow. This creates ideal conditions for fruiting without the need for climate control. However, the main limit of outdoor cultivation is that out of the many species, only log-grown shiitake can be grown consistently enough to yield mushrooms on a weekly basis, which is necessary for the supply chain.
Indoor farming systems, on the other hand, involve monitoring and maintaining the ideal environment for the various stages of production, from incubation to fruiting. This includes taking extra measures to eliminate sources of contamination in the substrates to prevent the desired mushrooms from fruiting. While indoor farming provides more control over the environment, outdoor cultivation has the advantage of fewer contamination issues.
Mushrooms have been used for various purposes beyond consumption, including dyeing wool and other natural fibers, as tinder for starting fires, and in the development of new biological remediation and filtration technologies. Additionally, research in genetic engineering aims to enhance the nutritional value and medical use of mushrooms.
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Mycologists believe there are more undiscovered species
Mycology, the study of fungi, is a field with many unanswered questions. Mycologists estimate that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi, with some estimates placing the number even higher, between 1.5 million and 5 million species. However, of these vast numbers, only about 150,000 species have been described, and only around 20,000 species of fruiting mushrooms have been identified.
The number of known mushroom species is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made. Mycologists believe that there are still many undiscovered wild mushrooms waiting to be found and cataloged. This belief is supported by the fact that mushrooms exhibit a wide range of shapes, colors, sizes, and flavors, making it likely that there are yet-to-be-discovered species. Furthermore, the short lifespan of many mushrooms makes them difficult to study in the field, adding to the challenge of identifying all existing species.
The process of identifying new mushroom species is intricate. While some mushrooms are easily identifiable, others closely resemble both edible and poisonous varieties, making them challenging to distinguish. Mushroom hunters play a crucial role in supplying edible wild mushrooms to chefs and restaurants, but they must adhere to the rule of avoiding unidentified mushroom species. To identify a mushroom as safe for consumption, one must closely observe its color, anatomy, texture, and the presence of a partial veil, and then refer to a field guide for confirmation.
The discovery of new mushroom species has significant implications for various domains. For example, mushrooms have been traditionally used in medicine for their anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, antiallergic, and antimicrobial properties. Ongoing research in genetic engineering aims to enhance the nutritional value and medical use of mushrooms. Additionally, mushrooms have been used for dyeing wool and other natural fibers, producing strong and vivid colors. As the number of known mushroom species increases, so does the potential for further applications and benefits to humanity.
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Around 200 species are cultivated due to ease of cultivation
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing bodies of fungi. They are typically found above the ground or on their food source. The most common type is the white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which accounts for 97% of US mushroom production. However, there are over 10,000 known species of mushrooms, with estimates of the total number of species ranging from 2.2 million to 3.8 million.
Of these millions of species, only around 150,000 have been described, and only about 200 species are cultivated due to their ease of cultivation. This is because some edible mushrooms are difficult to grow on a commercial scale. For example, some species fruit at their own pace and are therefore not suitable for producing consistent yields for markets. This is why chefs and restaurants rely on mushroom hunters for their supply of wild mushrooms. However, this practice has raised concerns about the potential adverse environmental impact of picking wild mushrooms.
The ease of cultivation of the 200 cultivated species is due to factors such as the ideal conditions provided by forest environments, which include shade, humidity, and airflow. These conditions enable the mushrooms to fruit without the need for climate control by the farmer. Furthermore, the ability to force" log-grown shiitake mushrooms to fruit by immersing the logs in water for 12-24 hours allows for consistent weekly yields, which are essential for supplying farm businesses.
The process of cultivating mushrooms involves several stages, from incubation to fruiting, and requires monitoring and maintaining the ideal environment. This includes taking measures to eliminate sources of contamination in the substrates, which can prevent the mushrooms from fruiting. The substrates used can be either natural or synthetic, and the production systems for domesticated varieties vary by type of mushroom, with both indoor and outdoor systems in use.
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Over 100 species have been used in traditional medicines
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of fungi, and while there are estimated to be between 2.2 and 3.8 million species of fungi, only around 20,000 species of mushrooms have been identified. Of these, only 200 species have been cultivated, and just 20 have reached large-scale cultivation.
Over 100 species of mushrooms have been used in traditional medicines, with nearly 700 types identified as having health benefits. Mushrooms have been used for their medicinal qualities for thousands of years, with written records of Reishi, or Ganoderma lingzhi, dating back 2,000 years. Chinese Taoist monks wrote of using this mushroom to promote calmness and enhance their meditative practices. Chinese royalty used it to promote longevity, and it was held in such high esteem that it was known as the "mushroom of immortality".
Today, Reishi is listed in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Therapeutic Compendium, and is widely used as an adjuvant in the treatment of various types of cancer. There are now more than 100 Reishi-based products on the market, including nutraceuticals and supplements.
Other species used in traditional medicine include Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinus edodes, Trametes versicolor, Schizophyllum commune, Tricholoma matsutake, Auricularia auricula, Grifola frondosa, Cordyceps sinensis, Coprinus comatus, Inonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus, Laetiporus sulphureus, and Hericium erinaceus.
Medicinal mushrooms are used to treat a wide range of ailments, including arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. They are also used to support healthy blood pressure and immune function, and to treat stress-related disorders and digestive issues. The pharmacological activities of medicinal mushrooms include antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating, antidepressive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, digestive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, osteoprotective, and hypotensive activities.
The use of mushrooms in medicine is particularly prominent in Asian regions, with modern treatments in Japan, China, Korea, and other Asian nations continuing to rely on mushroom-derived preparations. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also uses Lion's Mane, or Hericium erinaceus, for the spleen and its association with digestion, energy, and water regulation. TCM also uses Lion's Mane as a tonic for stress-related disorders and lack of energy. Maitake, or Grifola frondosa, is also used in TCM to support the spleen and benefit qi.
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There are 180 species of magic mushrooms
There are approximately 180 species of mushrooms that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms". Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are known to induce hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. The effects of consuming these mushrooms vary from person to person and can range from a "good trip" to a "bad trip".
Magic mushrooms are the colloquial term for fungi of the Psilocybe genus, which contains approximately 165-180 known species. Psilocybin and psilocin, the psychoactive compounds found in nearly all species of Psilocybe, have shown promise in treating conditions such as PTSD, depression, and end-of-life care. However, most psilocybin-producing mushrooms have not been extensively studied since their discovery.
The Psilocybe genus is not the only group of mushrooms with psychoactive properties, as there are over 200 species of magic mushrooms in total. The diversity of these compounds is vast, and ongoing research aims to understand their underlying genetics and evolution. The molecular structure of psilocybin mimics serotonin and binds to serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, which is also targeted by other psychedelic drugs.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically appear within 15-45 minutes and last for four to six hours. It is important to note that the strength of these mushrooms can vary significantly, and consuming the wrong species can be dangerous. Many species of magic mushrooms look alike, making it challenging to distinguish between them.
The study of fungi, or mycology, has yet to fully uncover the number of fungal species and mushrooms on Earth. Estimates range from 1.5 to 3.8 million species, with only around 150,000 described thus far. The vast majority of these species have not been cultivated, and the science of medicinal mushrooms is still in its infancy.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi, and mushrooms are a subset of this. Approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms have been described, with over 10,000 types of mushrooms known to man.
There are 3,000 edible mushroom species, but only about 200 cultivated mushrooms due to ease of cultivation.
Over 100 species of mushrooms have been used in traditional medicines. However, the science is still quite young, and the number of medicinal mushrooms may increase.
All mushrooms are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Mushroom is a term used to describe the fleshy, spore-bearing body of a fungus, typically visible to the naked eye.
Only about 20 species of mushrooms have reached large-scale cultivation.
