Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. Fungi are a separate branch of life from plants and animals and are classified as one of the traditional eukaryotic kingdoms, along with Animalia and Plantae. Fungi do not photosynthesize; instead, they acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, typically by secreting digestive enzymes into their environment. Mushrooms are formed when the fungus liberates spores, which are sexualized and have a positive or negative charge. The spores land on fertile soil and begin to duplicate and grow, creating a mycelium, which is a colony of cells linked together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. |
| Taxonomy | Mushrooms are part of the Kingdom Fungi, which includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds. They are classified separately from plants and animals. |
| Nutrition | Mushrooms are decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter. They do not photosynthesize or make food from sunlight like plants. |
| Reproduction | Mushrooms reproduce by liberating spores, which are "sexualized" (+ or -). When spores land on fertile soil, they begin to duplicate and grow into a mycelium, a colony of linked cells. |
| Identification | Mushrooms can be identified by their macroscopic structure, including the presence of gills, spores, and specific colors. Modern identification methods are becoming molecular, but traditional techniques are still used. |
| Edibility | Mushrooms may be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Edible mushrooms are free of cholesterol and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are a type of fungus
Mushrooms do not make food from the sun like plants do. Instead, they are decomposers, breaking down dead things like leaves and plants. This is why mushrooms are often seen growing on dead trees or logs. Mushrooms come in different shapes and sizes, and some are edible and used in food preparation. Edible mushrooms are free of cholesterol and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins.
The identification of mushrooms is important as some are poisonous and can cause mild gastrointestinal disturbance, slight allergic reactions, or even be fatal. The standard method for identification involves examining the presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, habit, and season. The colour of the powdery print, called a spore print, is also useful in classifying and identifying mushrooms.
Mushrooms have a unique reproduction cycle. They liberate spores, which are "sexualised" (usually noted as + or -). When the spore lands on fertile soil, it begins to duplicate and grow, creating a mycelium, which is a colony of cells linked together. When mycelli (plural of mycelium) encounter an opposite sex, they mix together and create a site where some species make an aerial part called a "mushroom".
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Mushrooms are decomposers
Mushrooms have a unique reproduction cycle. They liberate spores, which are "sexualised" (usually noted as + or -). When spores land on fertile soil, they begin to duplicate and grow, creating a mycelium, which is a colony of cells linked together. When mycelia encounter an opposite "sex", they mix and create a site where some species make an aerial part called a "mushroom".
Mushrooms are often associated with decomposition and play a crucial role in ecosystems as the cleanup crew. They feed on dead plant material, such as leaf litter and wood, animal carcasses, and scat. Without decomposers like mushrooms, there would be a buildup of dead organic matter, disrupting the natural balance of ecosystems.
The term "mushroom" is typically used to refer to the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. However, it also describes a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems. The gills under the cap produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Mushrooms come in various shapes and forms, and their identification requires a basic understanding of their macroscopic structure. They are usually basidiomycetes and gilled, producing spores called basidiospores on the gills. These spores fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps, leaving a powdery impression reflecting the shape of the gills.
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Mushrooms have genders
Mushrooms are a separate branch of living organisms from animals and plants. They do not have male and female genders, but they do have sexes or genders. Mushrooms reproduce by liberating spores, which are "sexualised" (usually noted as + or -). These spores land on fertile soil and begin to duplicate and grow, creating a mycelium, which is a colony of cells linked together. When mycelli (plural of mycelium) of opposite sexes meet, they mix and create a site where some species make an aerial part called a "mushroom".
Fungi, including mushrooms, have two main types of sexual reproduction: homothallism and heterothallism. Homothallism occurs when mating occurs within a single individual, meaning that each individual is self-fertile. Heterothallism, on the other hand, involves hyphae from a single individual that are self-sterile and need to interact with another compatible individual for mating to take place. Heterothallism is the most common mating system in Basidiomycota, and in Agaricomycotina (the mushroom-forming fungi), about 90% of the species are heterothallic.
Some mushrooms, such as Coprinellus disseminatus, have bipolar mating systems, which are ruled by a single allelic mating locus, termed either A or B. In contrast, other mushrooms exhibit tetrapolar mating systems, with two unlinked mating loci, termed A and B. These tetrapolar systems can generate a vast number of mating types, increasing the likelihood of encountering a compatible mate in nature.
Recent genetic research has revealed an even more astonishing aspect of mushroom sexuality. Some common mushrooms, such as Trichaptum mushrooms, are believed to have more than 17,000 sexes, and certain fungi may have up to 36,000 sexes. This diversity in sexes allows mushrooms to have sex with almost every compatible partner they meet, which helps prevent harmful mitochondrial mutations from spreading through the population.
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Mushrooms are poisonous or edible
Mushrooms are a separate branch of living organisms from animals and plants. They are a type of fungus that grows above ground on soil or another food source. The term "toadstool" is often used to refer to poisonous mushrooms, while the term "mushroom" is typically used for edible ones. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two terms, and either can be used to describe any fleshy fungus fruiting structure.
Mushrooms do not have male and female genders, but they do have sexes. Their reproduction cycle involves the liberation of spores, which are "sexualised" (usually noted as + or -). These spores land on fertile soil and begin to duplicate and grow, forming a mycelium, which is a colony of cells linked together. When mycelia of opposite sexes meet, they mix and create a site where some species make an aerial part called a "mushroom".
Identifying whether a mushroom is edible or poisonous can be challenging, and it requires a basic understanding of their macroscopic structure. Some general rules to avoid poisonous mushrooms include avoiding those with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva. It is also important to avoid mushrooms with red on the cap or stem. However, following these rules does not guarantee that all other mushrooms are safe to eat.
There are several families of mushrooms with distinct characteristics that can help determine their edibility. The Agaric family, for example, has edible members with pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and a stout stem with a skirt. However, there are toxic members of this family that look very similar. Bruising the cap can help determine toxicity, as a bright chrome yellow stain indicates poison, while a pale yellow, pink, or red stain suggests edibility. Smell can also be indicative, with edible Agarics smelling pleasantly of mushrooms or hints of aniseed or almond, while toxic varieties have a chemical or unpleasant odour.
Another family, the Boletes, includes the Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum, which are easily identified by their sponge-like pores and generally stout stems rather than gills. To determine the edibility of a Bolete, check for the presence of any red on the mushroom, including the cap, stem, or pores, and treat it as poisonous if present. Additionally, if the flesh of the Bolete stains blue when cut in half vertically, it is also considered poisonous.
The Lactarius family, commonly known as Milkcaps, mostly exude a milky substance from their gills when touched or damaged. This milk can be acrid or hot, and most Milkcaps are toxic. Therefore, it is recommended to stay away from any fungi that 'lactate' from the gills unless you are familiar with the individual members of this family.
The Russula family, also known as Brittlegills, has members that are either poisonous, delicious, or simply unpleasant-tasting. A taste test can be performed to determine edibility, but only when certain that the mushroom belongs to this family. Placing a tiny amount on the tongue and chewing will reveal a pleasant mushroomy taste in edible varieties, while a burn like chilli indicates poison.
The Amanita family, including the Destroying Angel and Death Cap, is responsible for the vast majority of mushroom-related deaths. These mushrooms typically have white gills and spores and grow from a sack-like or bulbous structure called a volva, which can be hidden by leaf litter or under the soil surface. Therefore, it is crucial to check the base of any mushroom to identify this dangerous feature.
While some mushrooms have poisonous look-alikes, there are also edible varieties that closely resemble toxic species. For example, Chanterelles, a wonderful choice for beginner foragers, may resemble the poisonous Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, but the latter has true gills and gills that end abruptly along the stem, while Chanterelles have folds that run unevenly along the stem.
It is important to note that even edible mushrooms can cause allergies or sensitivities in some individuals, so it is recommended to try a small amount of any new species before consuming a full meal. Additionally, poisoning by wild mushrooms is common and can be fatal or lead to mild gastrointestinal disturbances or slight allergic reactions. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms intended for consumption and follow specific guidelines for each family to minimize the risk of poisoning.
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Mushrooms are used in food and medicine
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that has been consumed and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. They are characterised by a stem, a fleshy rounded cap, and gills underneath the cap. The standard variety is the cultivated white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), which is considered safe to eat as it is grown in controlled, sterilised environments.
Mushrooms are used extensively in cooking, featuring in many cuisines, including Chinese, Korean, European, and Japanese dishes. They are a good source of B vitamins, selenium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. They also contain a substance called ergosterol, which is similar in structure to cholesterol in animals. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, either by sunlight or a UV lamp, ergosterol is converted to vitamin D2, a form of vitamin D found only in plants. Vitamin D-rich mushrooms are now available in supermarkets, supplying consumers with a fresh source of this essential nutrient.
In addition to their nutritional benefits, mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional and folk medicine. They have been used as a sacrament in rituals aimed at mental and physical healing and to facilitate visionary states. Some mushrooms, such as Amanita muscaria, contain psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which are known as "magic mushrooms". While these mushrooms have been used for therapeutic effects, regulatory agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration consider them dietary supplements rather than prescription drugs.
Mushroom dietary supplements, made from powdered or extracted fruiting bodies or mycelium, are also available on the market. However, it is important to note that these supplements lack sufficient scientific evidence for safety or effectiveness, and quality can vary due to inconsistent processing and labelling.
Identifying edible mushrooms from poisonous ones is a complex task that requires knowledge of their macroscopic structure. Poisoning by wild mushrooms is common and can be fatal, causing mild gastrointestinal disturbances or severe allergic reactions. Therefore, it is generally safer to stick to supermarket varieties and avoid consuming raw wild mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source.
Mushrooms are a separate branch of living organisms from animals and plants. They are classified as fungi, which are eukaryotic organisms that include microorganisms such as yeasts and molds.
Mushrooms reproduce by liberating spores, which are "sexualized" (usually noted as + or -). The spores land on fertile soil and begin to duplicate and grow, creating a mycelium, which is a colony of cells linked together. When mycelia of opposite sexes meet, they mix and create a site where some species make an aerial part called a "mushroom."
The terms "mushroom" and "toadstool" are not scientifically distinct, and either can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure. However, the term "mushroom" is typically used to refer to edible fungi, while "toadstool" often refers to inedible or poisonous fungi.
