Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, which are neither plants nor animals but constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. Fungi grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that make up the bodies of organisms (mycelia) and digest organic matter externally before absorbing it into their mycelia. There are about 144,000 known species of fungi, including yeasts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms. Mushrooms are versatile organisms that can be found in dark, damp places like under logs or inside caves, as well as in sunny spots like lawns or the sides of trees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source |
| Scientific Name | Agaricus bisporus |
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Species | 144,000 known species |
| Examples | Common fairy-ring mushroom, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, fly agarics, honey mushroom, paddy straw mushrooms, shaggy manes, lobster mushroom, panther cap mushroom, death cap mushroom, portobello mushroom, etc. |
| Nutrition | More than 90% water, less than 3% protein, less than 5% carbohydrate, less than 1% fat, and about 1% mineral salts and vitamins |
| Uses | Used to make blue cheese, antibiotics, and other drugs |
| Identification | Spore print colour, presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, habit, and season |
| Duration | Do not last very long; collapse and deteriorate after shedding their spores |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are part of the Fungi kingdom
Mushrooms are characterised by their umbrella-like shape and are typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, which emerge from an extensive underground network of thread-like strands called mycelium. The gills underneath the cap of the mushroom produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. These spores are released in a fine rain of powder and can germinate in suitable conditions, developing into new mycelium.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which has a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae). However, the term "mushroom" is also used more loosely to describe a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems, such as toadstools, puffballs, and stinkhorns. Toadstools generally refer to poisonous mushrooms, while the term mushroom is typically used for edible ones. It is important to note that there is no clear distinction between the two, and accurate identification of edible versus poisonous mushrooms is crucial to avoid poisoning.
Fungi, including mushrooms, play a significant role in various ecological and industrial processes. They can form symbiotic relationships with plants, such as with tree roots, helping them absorb water and minerals. Some fungi are also responsible for food spoilage, spoiling grain, fruit, and vegetable crops. Additionally, they have medical applications, with some fungi creating antibiotics and other drugs. Overall, mushrooms and other fungi are versatile organisms that contribute significantly to the natural world and human activities.
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They are not plants or animals
Mushrooms are not plants or animals. They are part of the Fungi kingdom, which includes around 144,000 known species of organisms, including yeasts, mildews, moulds, and mushrooms. Fungi are some of the most widely distributed organisms on Earth and are of great environmental and medical importance.
Fungi are clearly distinguished from all other living organisms, including plants and animals, by their modes of growth and nutrient intake. Fungi grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that make up the bodies of the organisms (mycelia). They digest organic matter externally before absorbing it into their mycelia. Mushrooms, for example, produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke, instead of seeds. These spores help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Mushrooms are also unlike plants in that they lack chlorophyll and do not need sunlight to grow. Instead, they get their energy from decomposing plant and animal matter, absorbing energy from dead plants and animals. This means that mushrooms can be found in dark, damp places like under logs or inside caves, as well as in sunny spots like on lawns or the sides of trees.
While the term "mushroom" is typically used to describe the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, it is also used more loosely to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. The term is often applied to those fungi (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. However, not all mushrooms have this morphology. Some have pores underneath and are usually called boletes, while others have spines and are called hedgehog mushrooms or other tooth fungi.
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Mushrooms are versatile and can be found in dark, damp places or sunny spots
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. They are typically produced above ground on soil or another food source, such as a living tree. Fungi, the kingdom to which mushrooms belong, are some of the most widely distributed organisms on Earth. They are distinct from other living organisms by their modes of growth and nutrient intake.
Mushrooms are versatile organisms that can be found in various environments, including dark, damp places and sunny spots. Unlike plants, they do not require sunlight to grow, as they obtain energy from decomposing plant and animal matter. This allows them to thrive in shaded areas, such as under logs or inside caves. However, they can also be found in sunny locations, such as on lawns or the sides of trees.
The standard mushroom is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which has 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. These spores are released in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. Once they have shed their spores, mushrooms collapse and deteriorate. However, some mushrooms, like turkey tails, can last much longer.
The colour of the spore print, or spore pattern, is useful for classifying and identifying mushrooms. Common colours include white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy shades. While modern identification methods are becoming increasingly molecular, traditional identification techniques, such as examining the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season, are still widely used by amateur and professional mycologists.
Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable, and accurate identification is crucial before consumption. Some popular edible mushrooms include morels, truffles, portobellos, cremini, baby bellas, and shiitake. On the other hand, the panther cap mushroom is a highly poisonous variety.
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They are distinguished from other organisms by their growth and nutrient intake
Mushrooms are part of the Fungi kingdom, which includes about 144,000 known species of organisms, such as yeasts, mildews, moulds, and mushrooms. Fungi are distinguished from other organisms by their growth and nutrient intake. They grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that make up the bodies of the organisms (mycelia). Fungi digest organic matter externally and then absorb it into their mycelia. This is in contrast to plants, which get their energy from the sun through chlorophyll. Mushrooms, on the other hand, get their energy from decomposing plant and animal matter.
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The gills of the mushroom produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. These spores are called basidiospores and are produced on the gills, falling in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. The colour of the spore print can be useful in classifying and identifying mushrooms.
Fungi can be further distinguished by their growth patterns. Some fungi digest nutrients from dead material, such as leaves and fallen trees, and are called saprophytes. Other fungi digest materials from living tissues and are called parasites. Mycorrhizal fungi form a third group, creating a mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of plants. They help plants absorb water and minerals, and the plants provide nutrients for the fungi.
Mushrooms are versatile organisms that can be found in various environments, including dark, damp places like under logs or in caves, as well as in sunny spots like lawns or the sides of trees. They are usually short-lived, collapsing and deteriorating once they have shed their spores. However, some mushrooms, like turkey tails, can last much longer.
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Mushrooms are poisonous, edible, or unpalatable
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 to refer to edible fungi, while "toadstool" is often reserved for inedible or poisonous varieties. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two names, and either can be properly applied to any fleshy fungus fruiting structure. Thus, a "mushroom" may be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable.
Poisonous mushrooms can be deadly, and poisoning by wild mushrooms is common. Some of the most poisonous mushrooms include the death cap (Amanita phalloides), the jack o'lantern, the destroying angel (Amanita verna), the autumn skullcap, the panther cap, the webcap, and the fool's webcap. Many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species, making them especially dangerous. For example, the destroying angel is very similar in appearance to edible button mushrooms and meadow mushrooms, and the jack o'lantern is often mistaken for the edible chanterelle.
It is important to accurately identify mushrooms before consuming them. Some 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. Mushrooms with red on the cap or stem, or those that rapidly stain blue when cut in half, should also be avoided. Another test for edibility is the taste test: placing a tiny amount of the mushroom on the tongue and chewing—a chilli-like burn means it is poisonous, a pleasant mushroomy taste means it is edible, and an unpleasant taste means it is unpalatable.
While reading about mushrooms in books or online is helpful, engaging with them on another level can aid in remembering new species. For example, making mushroom dyes or spore prints can help in identifying mushrooms. Spore print colours include white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy, but almost never blue, green, or red. Other methods for identifying mushrooms include examining their juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom is a fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source.
Yes, mushrooms are living organisms. They are part of the Fungi Kingdom, which includes about 144,000 known species.
Mushrooms grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that make up the bodies of the organisms (mycelia). They digest organic matter externally and then absorb it into their mycelia.
Mushrooms are not plants, so they do not contain chlorophyll and cannot make their own food. Instead, they get their energy by absorbing nutrients from decomposing plant and animal matter.
Mushrooms can be poisonous, so it is important to accurately identify them before consuming them. Poisoning by wild mushrooms is common and can be fatal.
