Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, typically characterised by a fleshy structure with a stem and a cap. They are often gilled, with gills that produce microscopic spores to help the fungus spread. However, not all mushrooms have gills, and some have pores or spines instead. The term 'mushroom' is typically used to refer to edible fungi, whereas 'toadstool' is used for inedible or poisonous varieties. Mushrooms are a food source for many, but some are toxic and can cause illness or death. They are low-calorie and contain fibre, protein, and antioxidants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A mushroom is a fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. |
| Structure | Mushrooms have a stalk (stipe) topped by a fleshy, often umbrella-shaped cap (pileus) and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. |
| Spores | Mushrooms produce microscopic spores called basidiospores on their gills, which help the fungus spread. |
| Identification | Mushrooms can be identified by their macroscopic structure, including the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of color, habitat, and season. |
| Edibility | Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Accurate identification is important to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. |
| Nutrition | Mushrooms are a good source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They are also low in calories and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins. |
| Species | There are approximately 14,000 described species of mushrooms, including common mushrooms like Agaricus bisporus and exotic varieties like the lobster mushroom. |
| Growth | Mushrooms grow from a mycelium, an underground network of thread-like strands, and produce a new crop of sporophores each year during their fruiting season if the temperature, moisture, and nourishment are suitable. |
| Related Terms | "Toadstool" is often used to refer to poisonous mushrooms. Other related terms include "bolete", "truffle", "puffball", "stinkhorn", and "morel". |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are fungi
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, specifically the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus. They are typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The term "mushroom" is commonly used to refer to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. These gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Mushrooms are biologically distinct from plant- and animal-derived foods. They are part of a separate kingdom based on their cellular organization. One of the major differences between fungi and plants and animals is that fungi lack chlorophyll and do not perform photosynthesis. Instead, they obtain their energy and nutrients by digesting other things in nature, similar to animals. Fungi also contain chitin, a polysaccharide derivative of glucose found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects, rather than cellulose, which is found in plants.
The term "mushroom" has been used loosely to describe a variety of gilled and nongilled fungi, and giving a full account of their classifications can be difficult. Some mushrooms have pores underneath and are usually called boletes, while others have spines, such as the hedgehog mushroom and other tooth fungi. "Mushroom" has also been used to refer to polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi.
There are approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms described, and they are commonly eaten in many parts of the world. They are a good source of nutrients and are often used in cooking to improve the diet quality and lower the energy density of meals. However, it is important to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some species are poisonous and can cause mild gastrointestinal disturbances or even death.
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Mushrooms are not plants
Fungi also have cell walls made rigid with chitin, rather than cellulose, as is the case with plants. Additionally, fungal cells usually have half of a full set of DNA, whereas in plants and animals, each cell has a full set, and only eggs and sperm have half sets.
Fungi, plants, and animals are considered different kingdoms because they have no common ancestor within the last half billion years or so. While fungi may look similar to plants, this is not a determining factor in taxonomy. Instead, how an organism looks and behaves is irrelevant; it is the genetics and basic biomechanics that matter.
The term "mushroom" is used to describe the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, 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.
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Mushrooms are not animals
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, which is a separate branch of life from plants and animals. While mushrooms may grow in a similar way to plants, they are not the same. Mushrooms are more closely related to humans than they are to plants. However, they are not animals.
Fungi, including mushrooms, do not have chloroplasts that photosynthesize. Instead, they get their energy and nutrients from digesting other things, like animals do. However, unlike animals, they cannot move to find food. Instead, they secrete enzymes that break down external food sources, which are then absorbed by the fungus.
Fungi have cell walls made rigid with chitin, rather than cellulose, as is the case in plants. In addition, their cells usually have half of a full set of DNA. In contrast, plants and animals typically have a full set of DNA in each cell, with only eggs and sperm cells having half sets.
The term "mushroom" is typically used to refer to the cultivated white button mushroom, or "Agaricus bisporus". However, the term is also used more broadly to describe other types of gilled fungi, with or without stems. These include polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi.
In summary, while mushrooms share some similarities with both plants and animals, they are ultimately a unique form of life that is distinct from both. They are not animals, but a type of fungus with their own unique characteristics and methods of obtaining nutrients.
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Mushrooms can be poisonous
Mushrooms are a type of fungus. While some mushrooms are edible, others are poisonous and can even be deadly. Poisonous mushrooms are implicated in the deaths of several historical figures, including the Roman Emperor Claudius. There are up to 14 described syndromes associated with mushroom poisoning, which manifest depending on the species, toxins, and amount ingested. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning relate to the toxin ingested, including amatoxin, psilocybin, muscarine, coprine, allenic norleucine, and gyromitrin. Poisoning by wild mushrooms is common and may be fatal or produce merely mild gastrointestinal disturbances or slight allergic reactions.
Mushroom poisoning can occur due to foragers misidentifying a poisonous species as edible. The only way to tell whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat is to have it identified by a mushroom expert (mycologist). If you are unsure if a mushroom is safe to eat, don’t eat it. It is recommended that you only eat mushrooms you have bought from the supermarket, greengrocer, or another reputable source.
Some mushroom species contain toxins that cause hallucinations. These psychotropic types are commonly referred to as ‘magic mushrooms’. One of the better-known species is the golden top (Psilocybe subaeruginosa). The golden top looks very similar to some varieties of Galerina mushroom, which are potentially deadly. Many poisonous mushrooms cause gastrointestinal illness, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. About 9 out of 10 fungi-related deaths are attributable to the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) The toxin can fatally harm the liver and kidneys, and death can occur within 48 hours.
The yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus) is the most commonly eaten poisonous mushroom in Victoria, Australia. This species commonly grows wild in lawns and gardens and looks very similar to edible mushrooms. When damaged, the cap and stem stain yellow, fading later to a dirty brown. The mushroom can give off a chemical smell, like disinfectant, iodine, or kerosene. This smell can be even stronger if you cook them.
Other poisonous mushrooms include the autumn skullcap mushroom (Galerina marginata), which is sometimes mistaken for hallucinogenic mushrooms, and the destroying angel (Amanita verna), which is incredibly toxic and similar in appearance to edible button mushrooms.
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Mushrooms can be edible
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and while not all mushrooms are edible, many are. Edible mushrooms are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value. They are a low-calorie source of fibre, protein, and antioxidants, and are cholesterol-free. They also contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins.
Some common edible mushrooms include the white button mushroom, cremini, baby bella, shiitake, morels, truffles, and matsutake. The giant puffball is another edible mushroom, commonly found in meadows, fields, and deciduous forests in late summer and autumn. It is considered a choice edible species when its interior flesh is still firm and white. As the puffball matures, its insides become dark brown and powdery.
Another edible mushroom is the Boletus edulis, also known as the king bolete, which is native to Europe and renowned for its delicious flavor. It is sought after worldwide and can be found in a variety of culinary dishes.
Some edible wild mushrooms include the hen-of-the-woods and oyster mushrooms. However, it is important to only forage for wild mushrooms if you have been properly trained, as many mushrooms have poisonous look-alikes. Deadly poisonous mushrooms that are frequently confused with edible mushrooms include several species of the genus Amanita, particularly the death cap.
There are a few ways to determine the edibility of a mushroom. Firstly, it should not have any red on any part of its body, including the cap, stem, or pores. Secondly, if the mushroom is cut in half vertically, the flesh should not stain blue. A taste test can also be performed, where a tiny amount is placed on the tongue; a burn-like sensation indicates a poisonous mushroom, while a pleasant taste means it is edible.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom is a fungus. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Mushrooms are typically fleshy, spore-bearing, and fruit-bearing bodies of a fungus, produced above ground on soil or another food source.
Mushrooms are not objects, they are fungi. While some mushrooms may resemble objects, they are living organisms.
No, not all mushrooms are poisonous. The term "toadstool" is often used to refer to poisonous mushrooms. However, it is important to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them, as poisoning by wild mushrooms is common and may be fatal.
