Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they are not plants. They are also not animals. They are fungi, constituting their own kingdom. They are enlarged, complex, aboveground, fleshy fruiting bodies of a fungus, consisting typically of a stem bearing a pileus. There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America, and they have an astonishing array of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are typically identified by their macroscopic structure, which includes the presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of color, habitat, habit, and season. They are also identified microscopically, and chemically.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Energy source | Decomposing plant and animal matter |
| Habitat | Dark, damp places like under a log or inside a cave, or sunny spots like lawns or the sides of trees |
| Structure | "Cap" or top, and "stalk" or stem |
| Spores | Produced on gills and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps; colours include white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy |
| Nutritional value | 92% water, 4% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and less than 1% fat; good source of B vitamins, selenium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium |
| Edibility | Some mushrooms are edible and nutritious, while others are poisonous or even deadly |
| Toxicity | Some mushrooms contain psychoactive or hallucinogenic substances, such as psilocybin and psilocin, and have been used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes for thousands of years |
| Allergenicity | Even edible mushrooms may produce allergic reactions in susceptible individuals |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
What is a mushroom?
Mushrooms are part of the Fungi Kingdom, which includes more than 144,000 known species of fungi, as well as mould, yeasts, and rusts. They are not plants, although they are often mistaken for them due to their similar appearance and edible nature. However, mushrooms are more closely related to humans than they are to plants.
Mushrooms get their energy from decomposing plant and animal matter, absorbing energy from dead plants and animals. This means they can be found in dark, damp places like under logs or inside caves, but also in sunny spots like lawns or the sides of trees. They are versatile organisms. When we talk about mushrooms, we usually mean the "cap" or top of the mushroom, which is bell-shaped and sits on top of the "stalk" or stem. However, most of the fungi is actually hidden underground.
Mushrooms produce spores instead of seeds, which are almost as fine as smoke. When these spores land in a suitable place, they germinate and develop filaments that become a new mycelium. Mushrooms usually don't last very long; once they've shed their spores, they collapse and deteriorate.
Some mushrooms are edible and delicious, such as oyster and Portobello mushrooms, while others are poisonous and deadly. It can be very dangerous to pick and eat mushrooms found in the wild, as there is no single trait by which all toxic mushrooms can be identified. Even edible mushrooms may produce allergic reactions in certain individuals. "Shrooms" or "magic mushrooms" are a type of psychedelic mushroom that can induce hallucinations and euphoric feelings, and have been used for medicinal and ceremonial purposes for thousands of years.
Mushrooms: How Vitamins Influence Their Growth
You may want to see also
How do you identify a mushroom?
Mushrooms are a type of fungus with a stem (called a stipe) and a cap. They are neither plants nor animals, but exist in their own kingdom. While they can be delicious, they can also be deadly, and it is important to be able to identify mushrooms correctly.
Firstly, note the substrate, or the material that the fungus is growing from. Some mushrooms grow in soil, some on living trees, and some on rotting wood. Knowing the substrate can help you understand the mushroom's ecology. Next, look for mushrooms at different stages of development, as the same species can look different at different phases.
If the mushroom has a cap, look at its underside, as this is often where spores are formed. The gills (or spines/teeth) can run down the stem, or stop when the stem begins. Some gills are Y-shaped, and some alternate between full-length and partial gills. Some mushrooms have no gills, but rather wrinkled folds known as "false gills".
The shape of the cap can also be a clue. Caps can be convex, bell-shaped, vase-shaped, or flat with a central umbo. Some caps become viscid or glutinous when damp. The colour of the cap can vary, from orange-yellow to white, beige, brown, or even shades of purple.
The stem can be long and thin, or short and stout, with or without a ring, and can be fibrous or smooth in texture. The colour of the stem can vary, from white to red.
Spore colour is another important trait. By laying the cap of a fresh mushroom on a sheet of paper and waiting a few hours, you can produce a spore print.
Finally, use your senses of smell and taste. Some mushrooms smell slightly fruity or flowery, while others have no smell or taste.
Remember, mushroom identification takes practice, and there is a lot more to it than just colour and size. It is important to be detail-oriented and mindful of the small and delicate details that can be key to identification. Always get a second opinion, and never eat anything based on what you read on the internet.
Delicious Oyster Mushroom Recipes You Can Try at Home
You may want to see also
What are the dangers of identifying a mushroom?
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that evolved on Earth between 715 and 810 million years ago. They are living organisms but differ from plants and animals in that they get their energy from decomposing plant and animal matter. They can be found in dark, damp places like under logs or inside caves, but also in sunny spots like lawns and tree sides.
There are many dangers associated with identifying mushrooms. Firstly, it is important to note that there is no single trait by which all toxic mushrooms can be identified, nor one by which all edible mushrooms can be identified. Even edible mushrooms may produce allergic reactions in certain individuals, ranging from mild asthmatic responses to severe anaphylactic shock. Additionally, some mushrooms contain toxins that are destroyed only when cooked.
Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness and even death. The vast majority of mushroom-related deaths are caused by species in the genus Amanita, with mistaken identifications being the primary cause. Some toxic mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin or "magic" mushrooms, which have been used for their medicinal and psychoactive properties for thousands of years. Even professionals sometimes mistake these mushroom types. Consuming the wrong type of mushroom can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea, vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, and intestinal cramping. In some cases, these symptoms can progress to impaired kidney function if left untreated.
Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution when identifying mushrooms. It is recommended to only consume mushrooms that are known to be edible and can be bought at a local grocery store. If you are foraging for mushrooms, it is important to be able to identify poisonous varieties and only consume mushrooms that you are positive are edible. For those who are inexperienced, it is advisable to seek guidance from experts or mycological groups, as even the most experienced mycologists must pay meticulous attention to detail when identifying mushrooms.
Storing Oyster Mushrooms: Best Practices
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.62 $14.95
What are the different types of mushrooms?
Mushrooms are part of the Fungi Kingdom and are living organisms. Unlike plants, they do not require sunlight to grow and instead obtain their energy by decomposing plant and animal matter. They are closely related to humans and are a rich source of B vitamins, selenium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.
There are many different types of mushrooms, and they can be broadly categorized as edible or poisonous. Edible mushrooms can be further classified into various types, including:
- Button mushrooms: These are the most common type of mushroom found in grocery stores. They are mild in flavor and soft in texture, making them versatile for various recipes. They are also known as white mushrooms and are the earliest growing stage of the Agaricus bisporus species, which later develops into cremini and portobello mushrooms.
- King oyster mushrooms: These mushrooms are meaty and versatile, often used in cooking.
- Honeycomb-like morels: These mushrooms have a unique honeycomb-like appearance and are another type of edible mushroom.
- Shiitake mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms have umbrella-shaped brown caps and a rich, earthy flavor. They have a meaty texture, and the caps are versatile in cooking, although the stems are usually discarded.
- Lion's mane mushrooms: Known for their distinctive shaggy texture, these mushrooms have a subtle, sweet flavor and a tender texture. They are suitable for vegetarian dishes as a seafood substitute.
- Black trumpets: Black trumpets have a trumpet-like shape and a rich, smoky flavor with notes of black truffle. They can be used to enhance the flavor of dishes such as risotto or recipes that call for truffle oil.
On the other hand, poisonous mushrooms can be dangerous and even fatal if consumed. Some poisonous mushrooms resemble edible varieties, making identification challenging. Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms," are an example of a type of mushroom with potential health benefits but are mostly illegal in the US. They have been used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes for thousands of years and are known for their psychoactive effects.
Mushrooms: Brain Damage or Brain Boost?
You may want to see also
How do mushrooms grow?
Mushrooms are part of the Fungi Kingdom and are therefore very different from plants and animals. Unlike plants, mushrooms do not require sunlight to grow. Instead, they get their energy from decomposing plant and animal matter, absorbing energy from dead organisms. This means that mushrooms can be found in dark, damp places like caves, under logs, or even inside warehouses and basements.
Mushrooms grow from fungal spores that thrive in damp, dark conditions with a medium that is high in decaying plant matter. They often spring directly from dead trees. In nature, mushrooms can grow in dense clusters, but they can also be cultivated commercially. The first record of year-round commercial production was in 1780 when a French gardener began to cultivate mushrooms in the underground quarries near Paris.
The cultivation of mushrooms begins in a laboratory where spores, or natural seeds of the mushroom, are inoculated into sterile cereal grains. These grains then develop into "spawn," which can be sown like seeds. At the farm, the grower prepares a basic growing medium called a "substrate," which is a key ingredient in mushroom production. The substrate provides a nutritional balance of organic material to serve as a growth medium for mushrooms. The substrate is typically made from synthetic compost consisting of wheat or rye straw, hay, crushed corn cobs, cottonseed meal, cocoa shells, and gypsum, or manure-based compost.
Once the substrate is prepared, it is placed in stacked wooden trays or beds, and the spawn is mixed in. A top layer, usually made of peat moss, is then applied. The ideal growing conditions for mushrooms are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and greater than 90% humidity. From this point, it takes about three weeks to produce the first mushrooms, which are harvested by hand. Mushrooms mature at varying times, so hand-picking is continuous for two to three weeks.
How to Store Chanterelle Mushrooms: Fridge or No Fridge?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a type of fungus. They are not plants or animals, but constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi.
Mushrooms are typically described as umbrella-shaped. They are fleshy and have a stem bearing a pileus (cap). Some mushrooms have gills, while others have pores or spines.
Mushrooms lack chlorophyll and take nutrients from other materials. Some fungi digest nutrients from dead material, such as leaves and fallen trees, while others digest materials from living tissues and are called parasites.
Some mushrooms are edible, while others are poisonous. It is important to be certain that a mushroom is safe to eat before consuming it.
