Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a fascinating type of fungus that have been used extensively in cooking and medicine for centuries. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, and there are likely thousands of species yet to be discovered. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of mushroom types, mycologists have identified and described around 10,000 to 20,000 species globally, with estimates of the total number of species ranging from 2.2 million to 3.8 million. From the common button mushroom to the magical Psilocybe azurescens, the world of mushrooms is diverse and ever-growing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fungal species | 2.2 million to 3.8 million |
| Number of described fungal species | 150,000 |
| Number of mushroom species | 10,000-14,000 |
| Number of medicinal mushrooms | 1,000 |
| Number of boletes species | 1,300 |
| Number of gilled boletes species | Not specified (tiny percentage of boletes) |
| Number of magic mushroom species | Not specified (multiple species) |
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What You'll Learn
There are between 10,000 and 14,000 known types of mushrooms
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of specific fungi, and not all fungi produce mushrooms. They are named and classified using general taxonomic classifications, from least specific to most specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. For example, the common button mushroom found in grocery stores is classified as Eukarya, Fungi, Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Agaricales, Agaricaceae, Agaricus, Bisporus.
Mushrooms are used extensively in cooking, featuring in many cuisines such as Chinese, Korean, European, and Japanese. They are low in calories and a good source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fibre. Some types of mushrooms are also suggested to have immune-strengthening and cancer-fighting properties.
In addition to their culinary and nutritional value, mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional medicine. Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms," have been used in various cultures for mental and physical healing, and to facilitate visionary states. Some mushroom species or their extracts are consumed for therapeutic effects, but regulatory agencies in some countries consider their use as a dietary supplement rather than a prescription drug.
The diversity among mushroom species is astounding, and new species are still being discovered. Anyone can contribute to this burgeoning science, and citizen scientists have the potential to discover new species and relationships. So, if you stumble upon a mushroom in nature, take a photo—you may have found a completely new species!
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Mycologists have described about 20,000 species globally
Mycologists have described about 20,000 species of mushrooms globally, but this number only represents a tiny fraction of the world's mushroom species, which are estimated to range between 2.2 million and 3.8 million. The diversity among the identified species is astounding, with mushrooms being used for food, medicine, and even as a natural dye for wool and other natural fibres.
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a specific fungus, and not all fungi produce mushrooms. They are classified into two phyla: Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, which together form the subkingdom Dikarya. Basidiomycota is a large phylum containing over 30,000 species of fungi, not all of which are mushrooms. This phylum includes mushrooms, yeasts, rusts, and smuts. Ascomycota, on the other hand, includes jelly mushrooms with a gelatinous consistency, often cup, tube, or disc-shaped.
Some well-known mushrooms within the Agaricales order include fairy-ring mushrooms, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, and fly agarics. There are also magic mushrooms, such as Psilocybe azurescens, which is one of the most potent varieties, and Psilocybe zapotecorum, which is found in Mexico and several other South American countries.
The delineation between edible and poisonous mushrooms is not always clear-cut, and some mushrooms, like the Death Cap, can have harmful or even deadly effects. However, mushrooms like Lion's Mane are edible and have medicinal properties, with reported benefits for cancer treatment and immune-strengthening effects.
While the exact number of mushroom species remains a mystery, mycologists and citizen scientists continue to discover and describe new species, contributing to our understanding of the fascinating world of fungi.
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There are around 1,000 known medicinal mushrooms
While the exact number of mushroom species on Earth remains unknown, estimates suggest that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi, with only around 150,000 to 20,000 of these identified as mushrooms. Of these, about 1,000 are known to have medicinal properties.
Medicinal mushrooms have been used in various traditional medicine practices around the world. They are believed to possess therapeutic effects and are used in the treatment and prevention of serious diseases. For example, Lion's Mane, which grows in North America, Europe, and Asia, is said to have immune-strengthening and cancer-fighting properties. It is also edible and has a seafood-like flavour. However, it is important to note that the use of mushrooms as medicine is controversial. While some countries recognize mushroom extracts as adjuvant cancer therapies, regulatory agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration classify them as dietary supplements rather than prescription drugs.
"Magic mushrooms", such as Psilocybe azurescens, are known for their psychoactive properties and have been used in rituals and mental and physical healing practices. These mushrooms are available in smart shops in some parts of the world and on the black market in countries where their sale is outlawed.
Mushrooms are also a popular food source, with some species being cultivated on farms and sold in supermarkets. Oyster mushrooms, for instance, are a favourite among growers due to their sweet and nutty flavour and high success rate. They are a common ingredient in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisine. Other edible mushrooms include chanterelle, black trumpet, Caesar's, morel, maitake, and shaggy mane mushrooms.
The diversity of mushrooms is astounding, and their classification can be complex. While they are all part of the Fungi kingdom, they can be further categorized into phyla, such as Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. Some mushrooms have gills, while others have pores, spines, or other unique structures.
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Oyster mushrooms are a favourite for growers and in Asian cuisine
There are estimated to be between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi, although only around 150,000 have been described. Of these, around 10,000-14,000 are types of mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are a favourite for growers and in Asian cuisine for several reasons.
Oyster mushrooms are a popular choice for growers as they are one of the easier mushroom varieties to cultivate. They can be grown on a range of substrates, and they don't require much cleaning. They are an undemanding species with a high success rate, and they can be more cost-effective than buying elsewhere. Oyster mushrooms can be grown all year round, both indoors and outdoors, and they are commercially cultivated in many countries.
Oyster mushrooms are also a favourite in Asian cuisine, particularly in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cooking. They are used in soups, stews, stir-fries, sauces, and as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan meals. Oyster mushrooms have a delicate texture and a mild, savoury, subtly sweet and nutty flavour with a slight anise taste. They are also healthy, being low in calories and fat and a good source of vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre.
Oyster mushrooms are commonly known as Pleurotus ostreatus, and they were originally documented in 1775. They are widespread in many temperate and subtropical forests throughout the world, although they are absent from the Pacific Northwest of North America. Oyster mushrooms are commercially cultivated in greenhouses and are available in major supermarkets all year round. They can be dried and are typically eaten cooked, although they can be eaten raw.
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Some mushrooms are toxic, some are edible, and some are medicinal
Mushrooms are a diverse group of organisms, with around 10,000-14,000 known types in the world. However, it is estimated that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi, of which mushrooms are a part. The diversity among these species is astounding, with some having developed tiny tube-like structures as their spore dispersal tissue, while others have a gelatinous consistency.
Among the known types of mushrooms, some are toxic, some are edible, and some have medicinal properties. It is important to correctly identify mushrooms before consumption, as failure to distinguish poisonous mushrooms from edible ones can result in death. Some deadly poisonous mushrooms that are frequently mistaken for edible varieties include several species of the genus Amanita, particularly Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap. Amatoxins, which are found in some species of Amanita, are powerful thermostable poisons that can cause ataxia, motor depression, euphoria, dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbances, drowsiness, muscle twitches, and changes in insight, feelings, and mood. Other toxic mushrooms include the Verpa bohemica, which has been reported to cause toxicity, and the Gyromitra esculenta (false morel), which is eaten by some after parboiling but is not recommended by many mycologists.
On the other hand, some edible mushrooms include the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, Porcelain Fungus, Cauliflower Fungus, Dryad's Saddle, Hedgehog Fungus, Truffle, Wood Ears (when growing on elder), and Chicken of the Woods (when not growing on a Yew tree). Some Agarics, which have pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and a stout stem with a skirt, are also edible, but there are toxic members of this family that look very similar. To distinguish between them, bruise the cap, and if it stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous, while a pale yellow, pink, or red stain indicates edibility. Boletes, such as the Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum families, are also generally edible, but any red coloring or flesh that stains blue when cut indicates toxicity.
Additionally, some mushrooms possess medicinal properties. Lion's Mane, for example, is said to have immune-strengthening and cancer-fighting properties, as well as an interesting seafood flavor similar to lobster. However, it is protected in the UK, making it illegal to pick or sell. While the science of medicinal mushrooms is still relatively young, only about 1,000 known macro-fungi with medicinal properties have been discovered so far.
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Frequently asked questions
Mycologists have described about 20,000 species of mushrooms around the globe, but it is estimated that there are between 2.2 million and 3.8 million species of fungi.
There are around 10,000-14,000 known types of mushrooms in the world, most of which are edible. Some popular edible mushrooms include white button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and cremini mushrooms.
About 1,000 known macro-fungi with medicinal properties have been discovered to date. Lion's Mane is an example of a medicinal mushroom that is also edible and has an interesting seafood flavor similar to lobster.
