Laura Smith
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They are not plants, but they constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. They are neither plants nor animals, and they lack chlorophyll, taking their nutrients from other materials. Mushrooms are famous for being delicious and nutritious, but some are deadly. They are versatile in cooking, ranging from light and airy to pungent and full-bodied flavours. They are low calorie, non-fat, and cholesterol-free, and they contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source |
| Types | Mushrooms include the familiar mushroom-forming species, as well as yeasts, molds, smuts, and rusts |
| Scientific Classification | Mushrooms are not plants or animals; they constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi |
| Nutrition | Mushrooms are low-calorie, non-fat, nutritious foods that are a good source of vitamins and minerals |
| Health Benefits | Mushrooms can help reduce cholesterol and are beneficial for people with inflammation disorders or memory issues |
| Identification | Mushrooms can be identified by their macroscopic structure, including the presence of juices, odors, shades of color, and habitat |
| Hazards | Tasting or smelling mushrooms can be hazardous due to poisons and allergens |
| Uses | Mushrooms are used in cooking to add savory flavor and reduce the need for added salt; they are also used to make antibiotics and other drugs |
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What You'll Learn
Are mushrooms plants?
Mushrooms are not plants. They are fungi, which constitute their own kingdom, separate from plants and animals. Fungi include the familiar mushroom-forming species, as well as yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts.
Mushrooms are the conspicuous umbrella-shaped fruiting bodies of certain fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota. 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. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Before developing the mushroom structure, the fungus lives as a mycelium, a mat-like or net-like network of filaments infusing a patch of soil or wood. When conditions are right, the mycelium develops a fruiting structure, a mushroom, which emerges from the ground or a tree. Instead of seeds, mushrooms produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke. When spores land in a suitable place, they germinate, developing the fine filaments that eventually become a new mycelium.
Mushrooms are similar to plants in that they are shaped like plants and grow in a similar way. However, they lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. They do not have chloroplasts that photosynthesize; instead, they get their energy and nutrients from digesting other things, like animals do. Fungi have cell walls made rigid with chitin, rather than cellulose, as in plants. Their cells usually have half of a full set of DNA, whereas in plants and animals, each cell has a full set, and only eggs/sperm have half sets.
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How to identify mushrooms
Identifying mushrooms is a complex process that requires keen observation and practice. While colour and size are important factors, there are several other characteristics to examine when identifying mushrooms.
Firstly, note the substrate, or the material from which the mushroom is growing. Some mushrooms grow in soil, some on living trees, and some on rotting wood. The habitat of a mushroom can provide valuable clues about its identity. For example, the Northern Tooth mushroom is often found growing on dying maple trees.
Next, examine the cap and stem of the mushroom. Look at the shape and colour of the cap, as well as any ridges, scales, or rings present. Observe whether the gills are attached to the stem, and if they are full-length or partial. Some mushrooms, like the Chanterelle, have "false gills" that resemble wrinkled folds instead of true gills. The underside of the cap is often where spores are formed, and the colour of these spores can be an important identifying feature.
Additionally, pay attention to the texture and consistency of the mushroom. Some mushrooms have smooth or fibrous stems, while others exude a liquid when broken. The smell and taste of a mushroom can also be indicative of its identity. For example, Chanterelles have a slightly fruity or flowery smell and are reportedly delicious.
It is important to approach mushroom identification with detail-oriented mindfulness. Fungi are incredibly diverse, and different species can look deceptively similar. Using a highly-rated guidebook specific to your region can be helpful, and confirming your identification with an expert is always a good idea. While there are some mushroom identification apps available, they may not always be reliable.
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Mushrooms as food
Mushrooms are a versatile and nutritious food. They are low in calories and fat, and are cholesterol-free. They contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins, as well as minerals and other vitamins. Research has shown that shiitake mushrooms help to keep cholesterol levels low, and a study from the Culinary Institute of America and UC Davis found that swapping half the meat in a traditional ground beef recipe for mushrooms can reduce sodium intake by 25% while maintaining flavour.
Mushrooms are the fruit bodies of fungi, specifically those in the order Agaricales, and typically in the phylum Basidiomycota. They are not plants, as they lack chlorophyll, but they do constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. They emerge above ground or from trees, and they produce spores instead of seeds.
The term 'mushroom' is typically used to refer to edible fungi, while 'toadstool' is reserved for inedible or poisonous varieties. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two terms, and either can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure. It is important to be certain that a mushroom is safe to eat, as some are notoriously deadly.
Mushrooms can be found in many places, including underwater. To date, around 3,000 species of aquatic fungi have been discovered.
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Health benefits of mushrooms
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they are not plants, nor are they animals. They constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. They are typically found near plants and may use them for stability as they grow. Mushrooms are neither edible nor poisonous by definition; whether a mushroom is edible depends on its specific characteristics. Some mushrooms are edible and nutritious, while others are deadly.
Mushrooms are a good source of nutrition and can be an important addition to one's diet. They are low in calories, non-fatty, and contain small amounts of essential amino acids and B vitamins. They are cholesterol-free and contain compounds that inhibit the production of cholesterol, block its absorption, and lower overall cholesterol levels in the blood. Research shows that consuming shiitake mushrooms in particular helps keep cholesterol levels low.
Mushrooms also have a savory flavor that reduces the need for added salt, helping to keep blood pressure low. A study from the Culinary Institute of America and UC Davis found that replacing half the meat in a traditional ground beef recipe with mushrooms maintains flavor while reducing sodium intake by 25%. They are a good substitute for red meat and help minimize calories, fat, and cholesterol.
In addition, mushrooms may have cognitive benefits. A study in Singapore found that participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms per week had a 50% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which causes memory and language difficulties and is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.
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Poisonous mushrooms
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they are not plants or animals. They are part of the Fungi kingdom. They are usually found growing underground or beneath the bark of dead or living trees. Mushrooms are neither created nor evolved; they are the fruit of a fungus. The term "mushroom" is used to identify edible fungi, while "toadstool" is reserved for inedible or poisonous ones. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two names, and either can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure.
The delineation between edible and poisonous fungi is not clear-cut, so a "mushroom" may be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Tasting and smelling mushrooms carry their own hazards because of poisons and allergens. Many mushrooms are famously delicious and nutritious, while others are deadly. Do not eat any mushroom unless you are certain it is safe. Mushroom hunting can be a fun and exciting way to connect with nature, but it is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms.
There are about 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide, and about 100 of them are poisonous to humans. Only a few of the 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are fatal when ingested, but many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species, making them especially dangerous. The majority of fatal poisonings are attributable to the Amanita phalloides mushroom, also known as the Death Cap. It closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its heat-stable amatoxins withstand cooking temperatures and quickly damage cells throughout the body. Within 6 to 12 hours after consumption, violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea appear, causing a rapid loss of fluids and intense thirst.
Other poisonous mushrooms include the Jack O'Lantern, which has gills that glow a soft greenish light at night; the Destroying Angel, which is native to the northeastern United States and fruits around mature trees in forests and yards; the Conocybe filaris, a common lawn mushroom in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States; and the Webcap, which includes the Deadly Webcap and the Fool's Webcap, both of which are very similar in appearance to edible varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are technically a fungus and not a plant, although they are often mistaken for one. They are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They are part of the kingdom Fungi, which includes more than 144,000 known species.
Some mushrooms are edible and safe to eat, while others are poisonous and can be deadly if consumed or even touched. It is important to be certain that a mushroom is safe before eating it.
Mushrooms are a good source of vitamins and minerals, and they are low in calories and fat. They can be used as a substitute for red meat, helping to reduce cholesterol and keep blood pressure low. Research also suggests that eating mushrooms may reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Mushrooms typically grow above ground on soil or on another food source, such as a tree. They are usually found near plants, which they may use for stability. Some mushrooms even grow underwater.
