Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They are classified as members of the order Agaricales, whose type genus is Agaricus. However, not all members of Agaricales produce mushroom fruit bodies, and many other gilled fungi, collectively called mushrooms, occur in other orders of the class Agaricomycetes. The term mushroom is used loosely to describe various types of fungi, including those with gills, pores, spines, or other structures. Scientific classification of mushrooms is based on hierarchical taxonomy, grouping organisms based on shared characteristics, while common names offer intuitive descriptors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Classification | Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, Chytridiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Microsporidia, Glomeromycota, Zygomycota |
| Common Classification | Mushrooms, Toadstools, Agarics, Boletes, Truffles, Puffballs, Stinkhorns, Morels, etc. |
| Morphology | Fleshy, spherical or pear-shaped, with a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. |
| Spores | Microscopic, produced on gills and dispersed by wind. |
| Habitat | Found on the ground or on decaying wood. |
| Uses | Food, medicine, tinder, psychotropic substances, antibiotics, biological pesticides, bread-making, fermentation, etc. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are fungi
Mushrooms are a type of fungus. They are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The term "mushroom" is used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota, which is one of the seven phyla that compose the kingdom Fungi. These mushrooms 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 surface.
Mushrooms can be identified by their common names or by a more standardized Latin-based taxonomy system. While common names are more descriptive and memorable, Latin names or taxa allow for more precise identification, as a single common name can refer to multiple species. The scientific classification of mushrooms is a hierarchical system, grouping organisms based on shared characteristics.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. However, the term "mushroom" is also used more loosely to describe other gilled fungi, as well as polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi. Therefore, the term generally refers to the macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies rather than having a precise taxonomic meaning.
Mushrooms are typically members of the order Agaricales, whose type species is the field mushroom, Agaricus campestris. However, not all members of this order produce mushroom fruit bodies, and many other gilled fungi occur in other orders of the class Agaricomycetes. These gilled mushrooms are often called "agarics". Other mushrooms, such as boletes, have a spongy layer of tubes under their caps instead of gills, and release their spores from these tubes.
Mushrooms: Natural Anxiety Relief?
You may want to see also
Common names vs Latin names
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The term "mushroom" is used loosely to describe a variety of different fungal fruiting bodies. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus.
Mushrooms, like other organisms, can be identified by their common names and by a more standardised Latin-based taxonomy system. While common names are colourful and easy to remember, Latin names or taxa allow for more precise identification and understanding. This is because a single common name can sometimes refer to multiple species, whereas Latin names are unambiguous. For example, the common name "blue meanies" can refer to either Panaeolus cyanescens or Psilocybe cyanescens, the latter of which can cause woodlovers paralysis. Similarly, the common name "dog pecker" in Michigan may not be the same as a mushroom called "dog pecker" in China. Latin names are also helpful for non-native English speakers, as common names are not always present in bilingual dictionaries.
Common names are often based on the shape, colour, smell, or other characteristics of the mushroom. For example, the common name toadstool refers to a poisonous mushroom, possibly because it was thought to be a stool for toads. "Puffballs" are mushrooms that release a visible "puff" of spores when disturbed, and "stinkhorns" have a phallic appearance and a strong smell. "Agarics" are gilled mushrooms that resemble the type genus Agaricus, and "boletes" have a spongy layer of tubes under their caps instead of gills.
The scientific classification of organisms, including mushrooms, is a hierarchical system where each organism is grouped based on shared characteristics. This system starts with broader categories like Kingdom and Phylum and narrows down to specific species. Common names can be a helpful initial visual clue to a mushroom's identity, but Latin names are necessary for precise identification.
Psychedelic Bolete Mushrooms: Hallucinations or Hoax?
You may want to see also
Morphology and reproduction
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. 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.
Mushrooms are classified based on their shape and reproductive methods. The gills produce microscopic spores, called basidiospores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. These spores are produced on the gills and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. At the microscopic level, the basidiospores are shot off basidia and then fall between the gills in the dead air space. As these spores mature, they are released and carried away by the wind, leading to the colonisation of new areas.
Mushrooms that deviate from the standard morphology have more specific names, such as "bolete", "truffle", "puffball", "stinkhorn", and "morel". Boletes feature a spongy layer of tubes underneath their caps rather than gills. Chanterelles are trumpet or vase-shaped, with distinctive wavy caps and vibrant colours, often golden yellow. Instead of gills, chanterelles have ridges on the underside that produce spores.
The cap shape of a mushroom can undergo changes as it matures. The surface texture or features of the cap can vary greatly, from smooth to fibrous or bearing other tactile features. The cap margins describe the contour and characteristics of the cap's perimeter. The height and width of the cap provide insights into its size and proportion. The viscosity of the cap denotes whether it is slippery or tacky, a characteristic that can be crucial in distinguishing certain species. The flesh or tissue colour gives insights into the internal coloration of the mushroom.
The stipe, or stem, can vary in shape, surface texture, colour, durability, interior structure, orientation, volva, bulb, and ring zone. The orientation of the stipe notes the stem's position relative to the cap – whether it is central, offset, or lateral. The volva mentions the presence or absence of a base structure, often a remnant from the universal veil. The bulb details any swelling or enlarged area at the stem's base. The ring zone refers to the region where the stem once connected to the partial veil.
Abalone Mushroom: A Tasty, Healthy Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Taxonomy and classification
Mushrooms are the fruit bodies of members of the order Agaricales, whose type genus is Agaricus and type species is the field mushroom, Agaricus campestris. However, in modern molecularly defined classifications, not all members of the order Agaricales produce mushroom fruit bodies, and many other gilled fungi, collectively called mushrooms, occur in other orders of the class Agaricomycetes.
Mushrooms, like other organisms, can be identified by their common names and a more standardised Latin-based taxonomy system. While common names can be memorable, Latin names or taxa allow for more precise identification, especially since a single common name can refer to multiple species. The scientific classification of organisms is a hierarchical system where each organism is grouped based on shared characteristics, starting from broader categories like Kingdom and Phylum, and narrowing down to specific species.
The term "mushroom" is used loosely and does not have a precise taxonomic meaning. It is often used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. The gills under the cap produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. Some mushrooms do not have gills, and instead have pores underneath (often called boletes) or spines (like hedgehog mushrooms and other tooth fungi).
Mushrooms can be classified into common groups based on shared features, primarily their shape and reproductive methods. These broader descriptors, such as "gilled" or "puffball", help narrow down a mushroom's potential classification. These are the classic umbrella-shaped mushrooms with a stalk, a cap, and gills on the underside of the cap. As these mature, they are released and carried away by the wind, leading to the colonisation of new areas.
The first classification of mushrooms was established by Dutch mycologist Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in the 18th century. Later, in the 19th century, Elias Magnus Fries further elaborated on the classification of fungi, using spore colour and microscopic characteristics, methods still used by taxonomists today.
Mushrooms: Nature's Decomposing Superheroes?
You may want to see also
Uses and dangers
Mushrooms are a biological class of fungus. They are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus.
Mushrooms are a popular food ingredient, adding savoury flavour to meals without much fat, calories or sodium. They are also a good source of vitamin D, aiding bone and immune health. Research has shown that eating mushrooms can lower the risk of cancer, as they are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Mushrooms are also used as a substitute for meat, aiding obesity control. They are low in sodium, which helps to lower blood pressure.
Some mushrooms have medicinal qualities. For example, shiitake mushrooms help to keep cholesterol levels low. They contain compounds that inhibit the production of cholesterol, block cholesterol from being absorbed, and lower overall cholesterol in the blood. Research has also indicated that mushrooms could be useful in treating mental and behavioural health conditions.
However, not all mushrooms are safe to consume. Many are poisonous and hard to distinguish from edible varieties, and even poisonous mushrooms can share the same traits as edible ones. Consuming the wrong type of mushroom can result in poisoning. Some mushrooms, known as 'magic mushrooms', contain the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin, which can cause disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic. While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, they can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which may lead to injuries.
Creating Mushroom Spawn: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
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 classified as fungi. They are the fruit bodies of members of the order Agaricales, whose type genus is Agaricus and type species is the field mushroom, Agaricus campestris.
Some common mushroom groups include puffballs, boletes, chanterelles, and agarics.
Mushrooms can be identified by their common names or a more standardized Latin-based taxonomy system. The scientific classification of mushrooms is a hierarchical system where each mushroom is grouped based on shared characteristics.
