Emily Johnson
Agaric is a type of mushroom-forming fungus belonging to the clade Stropharia Agaricales, which encompasses over 9,000 species. Agaric, which means 'tree-fungus' in Latin, is characterized by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is clearly differentiated from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus. The Agaricus genus, first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, contains over 400 members worldwide, including both edible and poisonous species. The most popular species of the Agaricus genus is the Agaricus bisporus, also known as the common button mushroom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Agaric definition | A type of mushroom-forming fungi belonging to the clade Stropharia Agaricales |
| Agaric types | Euagarics, Agaricales |
| Number of species | Over 9,000 |
| Agaricus species | Over 400 members worldwide, possibly many more |
| Agaricus varieties | Portabella, crimini, white button mushroom (WBM) |
| Agaricus examples | A. bisporus, A. campestris, A. arvensis, A. augustus, A. porphyrocephalus, A. aurantioviolaceus, A. xanthodermus |
| Agaricus uses | Medicinal, edible |
| Agaricus dangers | Poisonous, can cause allergic reactions and liver damage if consumed in large amounts |
| Agaricus distribution | Worldwide |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Agaricus, a genus of mushroom-forming fungi, contains over 400 species
- Agaricus bisporus, the most popular species of the Agaricus genus
- Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a species complex
- Agaricales or Euagarics, a clade of mushroom-forming fungi, includes over 9,000 species
- Ascomycota, the largest phylum of kingdom Fungi, contains over 64,000 species
Agaricus, a genus of mushroom-forming fungi, contains over 400 species
Agaricus is a genus of mushroom-forming fungi that contains over 400 species, with some estimates placing the number even higher. Agaricus includes both edible and poisonous species, such as the common ("button") mushroom (A. bisporus) and the field mushroom (A. campestris), which are the dominant cultivated mushrooms in the West. The genus Agaricus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and at that time, it encompassed all agarics.
The term "agaric" refers to a type of mushroom-forming fungus belonging to the clade Stropharia Agaricales, which includes various families and genera distinguished by their distinct morphological features. Agaric can also refer more generally to any basidiomycete species with an agaric-type fruiting body. Agarics are characterised by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is distinct from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus.
The classification of Agaricus species has evolved over time, and modern phylogenetic analysis has improved our understanding of this complex genus. As of 2020, the Agaricus genus is believed to contain at least 400 species, with many newly discovered tropical species. This genus includes a diverse range of mushrooms, from the well-known button mushroom to the poisonous yellow-staining mushroom (A. xanthodermus).
The Agaricus genus is of significant interest due to its culinary and medicinal properties. While some species are edible and widely cultivated, others possess medicinal properties, such as the antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM). However, it is crucial to accurately identify Agaricus species, especially when collecting them for consumption, as some species closely resemble deadly varieties of Amanita mushrooms.
Narcan and Mushrooms: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Agaricus bisporus, the most popular species of the Agaricus genus
Agaricus is a genus of mushroom-forming fungi that includes both edible and poisonous species. As of 2020, the genus is believed to contain around 400 species, with possibly many more, including some newly discovered species. Agaricus bisporus, commonly known as the cultivated mushroom, is native to grasslands in Eurasia and North America. It is cultivated in more than 70 countries and is one of the most commonly and widely consumed mushrooms in the world.
A. bisporus is often seen in grocery stores and is the most familiar mushroom variety. It has a smooth, white cap when young, which flattens and browns with age. The underside of the cap has dark gills, which are initially pink, then turn red-brown, and finally a dark chocolate-brown as the spores are released. The cap of the button mushroom can vary in size, usually ranging from 1 to 4 inches in diameter.
A. bisporus has a complicated taxonomic history. It was first described by English botanist Mordecai Cubitt Cooke in his 1871 "Handbook of British Fungi". Danish mycologist Jakob Emanuel Lange later reviewed a cultivar specimen and dubbed it "Psalliota hortensis var. bispora" in 1926. In 1938, it was promoted to species status and renamed "Psalliota bispora". German mycologist Emil Imbach gave it its current scientific name in 1946.
A. bisporus is a popular choice for pizza toppings and comes in different forms, including the larger portobello version, the brown variation, and the smaller button version. It is widely cultivated for its culinary versatility and mild flavor and is commonly referred to as the button mushroom or white mushroom.
Neptune's Woolly Wonder: Myth or Reality?
You may want to see also
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a species complex
Agaric is a type of fungal fruiting body characterized by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is clearly differentiated from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus. It is a type of mushroom (or toadstool), and the diverse group of agarics is often referred to as gilled mushrooms. Agaric can also refer to any basidiomycete species characterized by an agaric-type fruiting body. As of 2020, there are believed to be at least 400 species of agarics, with possibly many more.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Amanita. It is a large white-gilled, white-spotted mushroom with a bright red cap covered with distinctive white warts. It is one of the most recognizable fungi in the world, native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere and now also found in the Southern Hemisphere. Its name derives from its traditional use as an insecticide when sprinkled in milk, recorded in various parts of Europe.
A. muscaria exhibits complex genetic diversity that suggests it is a species complex rather than a single species. It is generally common and numerous where it grows, often found in groups with basidiocarps in all stages of development. The fruiting bodies emerge from the soil looking like white eggs. The fully grown cap is usually around 8-20 centimetres in diameter, although larger specimens have been found.
A. muscaria has several known variations or subspecies, most of which are recognizable by their notable white spots. Some have yellow or white caps, and they are usually called fly agarics. However, recent DNA research has shown that some of these variations are not the same species, such as the peach-colored fly agaric (Amanita persicina). Despite being poisonous, death due to poisoning from A. muscaria ingestion is quite rare, and it is eaten in parts of Europe, Asia, North America, and Japan.
Fan-Drying Mushrooms: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Agaricales or Euagarics, a clade of mushroom-forming fungi, includes over 9,000 species
Agaric refers to a type of mushroom-forming fungi that belongs to the clade Stropharia Agaricales, which includes over 9,000 species. Agaricales or Euagarics (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetidae) is a clade of mushroom-forming fungi that includes more than half of the known species of homobasidiomycetes. This order contains 26 families, approximately 350 genera, and more than 9,000 species.
The Agaricales were once classified as a single group, but contemporary sources now use the term "`euagarics`" to refer to all agaric members of the Agaricales. Agaric can also refer more generally to any basidiomycete species characterised by an agaric-type fruiting body.
The Agaricus genus is a notable group of mushroom-forming fungi within the Agaricales clade, with over 400 members worldwide and possibly many more newly discovered or disputed species. Agaricus species include both edible and poisonous mushrooms, such as the common ("button") mushroom (A. bisporus) and the field mushroom (A. campestris).
The Agaricus genus also includes several poisonous species, such as the yellow-staining mushroom, A. xanthodermus, and the deadly poisonous A. aurantioviolaceus, reported from Africa. Agaricus mushrooms, when young, can be easily confused with several deadly species of Amanita, such as the "`death cap`" (Amanita phalloides).
Agaricus species are also known for their medicinal properties. For example, Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM), also known as Himematsutake, is cultivated for its antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties.
Mushroom Consumption: Is It Addictive?
You may want to see also
Ascomycota, the largest phylum of kingdom Fungi, contains over 64,000 species
The kingdom Fungi is a diverse group of organisms, encompassing at least 100,000 identified species. It is composed of seven phyla, one of which is Ascomycota—the largest phylum of kingdom Fungi, containing over 64,000 species. Ascomycota is characterised by the presence of a reproductive structure called the ascus, which contains four to eight sexual spores called ascospores. The ascus has a reduced role in the life cycle of some species. Ascomycota also includes around 2000 identified genera.
Ascomycetes are 'spore shooters'. They reproduce asexually, which is the dominant form of propagation in the Ascomycota phylum. This form of reproduction is structurally and functionally diverse, with the most common method being the production of conidia (mitospores). Ascomycota also reproduces asexually through budding and the production of vegetative reproductive spores.
Many ascomycetes are of commercial importance. Some play beneficial roles, such as the yeasts used in baking, brewing, and wine fermentation. Truffles and morels are also considered delicacies. Many ascomycetes, however, cause tree diseases, such as Dutch elm disease and apple blights. Some of the plant pathogenic ascomycetes include apple scab, rice blast, ergot fungi, black knot, and powdery mildews. The yeast species within Ascomycota are used to produce alcoholic beverages and bread. The mold Penicillium is used to produce the antibiotic penicillin.
Almost half of all members of the phylum Ascomycota form symbiotic associations with algae to form lichens. These mutualistic associations can grow and persist in terrestrial regions that are inhospitable to other organisms, such as the Arctic, the Antarctic, deserts, and mountaintops. The photoautotrophic algal partner generates metabolic energy through photosynthesis, while the fungus provides a stable, supportive matrix and protects cells from radiation and dehydration. Around 42% of the Ascomycota (about 18,000 species) form lichens, and almost all the fungal partners of lichens belong to the Ascomycota phylum.
LSD and Mushrooms: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, the Agaricus genus is believed to contain at least 400 species, with possibly many more. Agaricus includes both edible and poisonous species, such as the popular edible A. campestris and the poisonous A. xanthodermus.
Agaric is a type of mushroom-forming fungus belonging to the clade Stropharia Agaricales, which encompasses over 9,000 species. Agaric mushrooms are characterised by a differentiated pileus (cap) and stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus.
Some well-known agaric mushrooms include the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), the common "button" mushroom (A. bisporus), and the field mushroom (A. campestris).
