Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they are not plants. They are fungi, a separate branch of life from plants and animals. They lack chlorophyll and have to take their nutrients from other materials. They are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The spores are like mushroom seeds and help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. Fungi also include yeast, which is used in bread and beer, and is responsible for the blue in blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus |
| Structure | A cap (pileus) and a stalk (stipe) |
| Types | Toadstool, morel, bolete, truffle, puffball, stinkhorn, agarics, etc. |
| Identification | Spore print colour, presence of juices, bruising reactions, odour, taste, shade of colour, habitat, season, etc. |
| Composition | More than 90% water, less than 3% protein, less than 5% carbohydrate, less than 1% fat, and about 1% mineral salts and vitamins |
| Ecology | Grows on different substrates like soil, living trees, or rotting wood |
| Durability | Don't last long, collapse and deteriorate after shedding spores |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. They are neither plants nor animals, but constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The gills under the cap of a mushroom produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
The term "mushroom" may have been derived from the French word "mousseron", in reference to moss ("mousse"). The word "toadstool" refers to a poisonous mushroom and first appeared in 14th-century England. There is no scientific distinction between "mushroom" and "toadstool", and either term can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. The word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. The stalk or stipe may be central and support the cap in the middle, or it may be off-centre or absent altogether. The gills can end when the stipe begins, or they can run down the length of the stem.
Mushrooms are typically short-lived and collapse and deteriorate once they've shed their spores. However, some species, like turkey tails, last much longer.
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Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous or unpalatable
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The term "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. However, the term can also describe a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems.
Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. The delineation between edible and poisonous fungi is not always clear-cut, so accurate identification is crucial before consuming any mushroom. Some commonly known edible mushrooms include portobellos (Agaricus bisporus), cremini, baby bellas, shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and truffles (various Tuber species). Edible mushrooms are free of cholesterol and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins. They are also a good source of water, protein, carbohydrates, and mineral salts.
On the other hand, some mushrooms are poisonous and can cause mild gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions, or even be fatal if consumed. Examples of poisonous mushrooms include the panther cap mushroom (Amanita pantherina) and its close relative, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). The term "toadstool" is often used to refer to inedible or poisonous mushrooms, although there is no scientific distinction between "mushrooms" and "toadstools", and either term can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure.
Additionally, some mushrooms may be unpalatable, meaning they are not toxic but may have an unpleasant taste or texture. While modern identification of mushrooms often involves molecular methods, traditional identification methods, such as spore colour, habitat, and microscopic examination, are still used by many amateur and professional mycologists. Tasting and smelling mushrooms is not recommended due to the hazards of poisons and allergens. Therefore, accurate identification of mushrooms is essential to distinguish between edible, poisonous, and unpalatable varieties.
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Mushrooms have caps, stalks and gills
Mushrooms are a type of fungi, and they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. However, a typical mushroom has three main parts: the cap, the stalk, and the gills. The cap, or pileus, is the most visible part of the mushroom, and it comes in many different shapes and colors. It is usually rounded or convex, and it may have scales, fibers, or other distinctive markings. The underside of the cap is where the gills, or lamellae, are found. These are thin, plate-like structures that radiate out from the stalk and are responsible for producing and dispersing the mushroom's spores. The stalk, or stipe, supports the cap and elevates it above the ground. It can be central or offset, and it may be smooth, fibrous, or even hollow depending on the mushroom species.
The gills are a key identifying feature of mushrooms, and they can vary in color from white to brown, black, or even bright hues of green, blue, or yellow in some species. The arrangement and attachment of the gills to the stalk are also important characteristics used in mushroom identification. In some mushrooms, the gills are free, meaning they do not attach to the stalk, while in others they may be attached or only narrowly separated from the stalk. The stalk, or stipe, can vary considerably in shape, thickness, and texture. Some stalks are slender and smooth, while others are thick and bulbous, or even woody and tough.
The cap, stalk, and gills all play important roles in the mushroom's life cycle and reproduction. When the mushroom is young and developing, the gills are typically covered by a protective membrane called a veil. As the mushroom matures, the veil ruptures, allowing the gills to be exposed and releasing the spores. The spores are then dispersed by wind or water, and if they land in a suitable environment, they will germinate and grow into new mushroom fungi. While most mushrooms have these three distinct parts, there are also many exceptions and variations within the fungal world. Some mushrooms have pores or spines instead of gills, while others may have a reduced or absent stalk.
The cap and stalk are composed of interwoven fibers, known as hyphae, which form the main body of the mushroom, or the fruiting body. The gills, on the other hand, are made up of thin, delicate tissue that is optimized for spore production and dispersal. In addition to these visible structures, there is also an extensive network of microscopic hyphae, known as mycelium, that exists below the surface. This network is the main body of the fungus and is responsible for nutrient absorption and growth. Overall, the cap, stalk, and gills of a mushroom are highly adapted structures that play vital roles in the fungus's survival and propagation.
It's important to note that not all fungi produce mushrooms, and not all mushrooms have the typical cap-and-stalk form. Some fungi form coral-like, cup-shaped, or puffball structures, while others are microscopic or only visible as a layer of mold. However, for those mushrooms that do have caps, stalks, and gills, these structures are essential for identification, classification, and understanding the life cycle of these fascinating organisms. So, the next time you spot a mushroom, take a closer look at its unique features and appreciate the intricate world of fungi that exists all around us.
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Mushrooms produce spores
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The gills on the underside of the cap of a mushroom produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. These gills can also fork into a Y-shape, or alternate between a full-length gill and a short, partial gill. The spores are formed on a fertile surface called the hymenial layer.
The spores are released from the gills and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. They are then carried by wind currents and when they land in a moist place, they germinate. Each spore grows a network of fine threads of hyphae, which release chemicals to dissolve the food, and the digested nutrients are then absorbed by the growing fungus.
The spores are dispersed by the parent fungus using convectively created airflows. The spores do not disperse symmetrically in all directions, but rather in asymmetric patterns. The distance spores are dispersed is influenced by the thickness of the gap beneath the pileus, and temperature differentials along the pileus. Mushrooms also lose water rapidly from the pileus, which enables them to create convective cells for dispersing spores.
Spore prints can be made by placing the cap of a fresh mushroom on a sheet of paper and waiting a couple of hours. These prints are useful for classifying and identifying mushrooms, as spore colour is one of the standard methods for identification.
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Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals
The delineation between edible and poisonous fungi is not always clear, so a "mushroom" can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. The word "toadstool" is often used to refer to poisonous fungi, but there is no scientific distinction between "mushroom" and "toadstool," and either term can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure. Identifying mushrooms requires an understanding of their macroscopic and microscopic structure, including the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season.
Mushrooms produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke, instead of seeds. These spores help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. The gills on the underside of the cap produce microscopic spores, which fall in a fine rain of powder. The colour of the spore print is useful in classifying and identifying mushrooms. Most mushrooms have free gills that do not extend to the top of the stalk, while others have decurrent gills that extend down the stalk. Some gills fork into a Y-shape, and some alternate between full-length and partial gills.
The stalk or stipe of a mushroom can include important clues for identification, such as the presence of an annulus (a skirt of tissue around the circumference) or a volva (a sack of tissue at the base). Some mushrooms, like puffballs and truffles, may lack a stalk altogether. The lifespan of mushrooms varies, with some, like turkey tails, lasting much longer than others. Once they've shed their spores, mushrooms collapse and deteriorate.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are not fruits. Mushrooms are the reproductive structures of fungi and are referred to as "fruiting bodies" because the word "fruit" refers to analogous structures in botany.
No, mushrooms are not plants. Fungi are a separate branch of life from plants and animals. Fungi get their energy and nutrients by digesting other things, whereas plants use photosynthesis. Fungi also have cell walls made rigid with chitin, not cellulose like plants.
Yes, mushrooms are vegan. They are not animals and do not contain animal products. In commercial production, mushrooms are grown without contact with the outside world, so there are no accidental crop deaths involved in producing them.
Yes, mushrooms have many health benefits. They are a source of vitamin D, B6, and selenium. They also contain ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Research has shown that eating mushrooms may lower your risk of cancer and mild cognitive impairment.
Mushrooms are the reproductive structures of fungi, so they are not alive in the same way that plants or animals are. However, they produce spores, which are like mushroom versions of seeds, and can survive for years.
