Michael Davis
Gill mushrooms, also known as agarics, are mushrooms that have thin, papery gills on the undersides of their caps. They are used by the mushrooms as a means of spore dispersal and are important for species identification. The gills are classified according to their attachment to the stem or stipe. While some gills are broadly attached to the stipe, others are narrowly attached or notched before attaching. The way the gills attach to the top of the stalk is an important feature of mushroom morphology. They are the fruit bodies of members of the order Agaricales, whose type genus is Agaricus. However, not all members of the order Agaricales produce mushroom fruit bodies, and many other gilled fungi occur in other orders of the class Agaricomycetes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Gill mushrooms, agarics |
| Type of fungi | Basidiomycetes |
| Spore name | Basidiospores |
| Spore print colors | White, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, creamy |
| Cap | Used for spore dispersal |
| Cap underside | Thin, papery gills |
| Attachment to the stipe | Broad, narrow, notched, abruptly notched, attached and extending down, unattached, attached to a collar |
| Attachment to the stalk | Free, decurrent, attached |
| Genera with free gills | Agaricus, Amanita, Lepiota, Pluteus |
| Genera with decurrent gills | Omphalotus, Pleurotus |
| Genera with attached gills | Gompus, Gomphidius, Chroogomphus, Tapinella atrotomentosa, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Cantharellus, Craterellus |
| Type of gills | True gills, false gills, partial gills |
| Use of gills | Reproduction, identification, aesthetic appeal |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Gill mushrooms are part of the Basidiomycete group
Gill mushrooms, or agarics, are part of the Basidiomycete group. They are characterised by the presence of gills, or lamellae, which are papery hymenophore ribs located under the cap of the mushroom. These gills play a crucial role in spore production and dispersal, and they are important for species identification. The attachment of the gills to the stem can vary, with some gills broadly attached to the stipe, while others are narrowly attached or notched. The colour, crowding, and shape of the gills are also important features for identification.
The term "mushroom" is loosely used, as not all mushrooms have gills. Some have pores underneath, such as boletes, while others have spines, like the hedgehog mushroom. However, most mushrooms are basidiomycetes and gilled. Their spores, called basidiospores, are produced on the gills and are then shot off the basidia, falling in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. This results in a powdery impression that reflects the shape of the gills, which can be useful for classifying and identifying mushrooms.
The presence of gills in basidiomycetes is believed to have evolved as the most effective means of increasing the ratio of surface area to mass. This, in turn, increases the potential for spore production and dispersal. The genus Gomphus, for example, has "false gills," which are primitive lamellae that indicate how the evolution towards true gills may have occurred.
The gills of gill mushrooms can also provide important clues about their edibility. For instance, members of the genus Lactarius, also known as Milk Mushrooms, "bleed" a white latex or "milk" when injured. This distinctive feature helps with the identification and differentiation of mushroom species.
How to Know When Your Mushrooms Have Gone Bad
You may want to see also
They are often called 'agarics'
Gill mushrooms are often called agarics because they resemble the Agaricus genus, which has more than 200 species. The term "agarics" was historically used to classify mushrooms with gills and mushroom-shaped fruiting bodies. However, modern classifications are based on genetic relatedness, so agarics may or may not have gills or mushroom-shaped fruiting bodies.
Agaricus species include the edible field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) and the cultivated white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The inky caps (Coprinus) are also part of the Agaricus genus and are characterised by bullet-shaped caps, black spores, and their tendency to liquefy when mature, leaving an inky mass. Most inky caps are edible, but some are mildly toxic if consumed with alcohol.
The Agaricus genus is part of the Agaricales order, which includes other common fungi such as the fairy-ring mushroom, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, fly agarics, and other Amanitas. The Agaricales order also includes the Schizophyllaceae and Fistulinaceae families, which were previously classified under the Polyporales order. Schizophyllum commune, a member of the Schizophyllaceae family, is a common white mushroom that grows on decaying wood and has split gills that roll inward to protect the hymenium during dry weather. Fistulina hepatica, or beefsteak fungus, is an edible species found on oaks and other trees in the autumn, leaving a brown stain on the trees.
The term "mushroom" is typically applied to fungi with a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) underneath the cap, although there are exceptions. Some mushrooms have pores instead of gills, such as boletes, while others have spines, like the hedgehog mushroom. The term "mushroom" is loosely used, and precise classification can be challenging due to the diverse morphological variations within this group of organisms.
Teemo's Toxic Mushrooms: Stacking Strategies for Victory
You may want to see also
Gill mushrooms produce spores on their gills
Mushrooms are classified based on their macroscopic structure. Most mushrooms are basidiomycetes and gilled. Gill mushrooms produce spores on their gills, which are called basidiospores. 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.
The gills are important for the identification of the mushroom species. The gills are classified based on the shape, colour, crowding, and shape of the individual gills. The gills can have distinctive microscopic or macroscopic features. For instance, Lactarius species typically seep latex from their gills. The gills are also important for spore dispersal. The genera Russula and Lactarius of the Russulales have gills on their mushrooms. Several other genera in the Boletales, including Gomphidius and Chroogomphus, also have gills.
The gills are attached to the top of the stalk in various ways. Some mushrooms, such as those in the genera Agaricus, Amanita, Lepiota, and Pluteus, have free gills that do not extend to the top of the stalk. Others, such as Omphalotus and Pleurotus, have decurrent gills that extend down the stalk. There are also attached gills, which are a collective term for all gills that are not free or decurrent. Attached gills can be further classified as adnate gills, notched gills, and adnexed gills. Adnate gills adjoin squarely to the stalk, notched gills are notched where they join the top of the stalk, and adnexed gills curve upward to meet the stalk.
The term "mushroom" is used loosely, as not all mushrooms have gills. Some have pores underneath, some have spines, and others have teeth. The underside of a mushroom can have gills, teeth, ridges, or pores. The gills are composed of two layers: the lamellae that reach from the stem to the edge, and the lamellulae that are shorter gills that don't reach the stem.
Mushroom Magic: Chinese Powder Superfood
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They are identified by their complex anatomical structures
Mushrooms are typically identified as the fruit bodies of members of the order Agaricales, whose type genus is Agaricus. However, 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. These gilled mushrooms are identified by their complex anatomical structures.
Gills, or lamellae, are a prominent feature of mushrooms, located beneath the cap of many mushroom species. They are the primary site for spore production and dispersal. These spore-producing surfaces vary widely in their attachment styles to the mushroom's stem or stipe. The manner in which the gills attach to the stipe provides invaluable insights into a mushroom's identity. Some gills may run down the length of the stipe, while others might not even touch it. These patterns of attachment serve as visual fingerprints, guiding mycologists and foragers in their identification processes.
Morphologically, gills are classified according to their attachment to the stipe. Gills can be broadly or narrowly attached to the stipe, smoothly notched before slightly running down the stipe, notched abruptly before attaching to the stipe, or appear torn away or hanging, with evidence of attachment remaining on the stipe, usually in older specimens. Gills may also be attached and extend down the stipe, or be attached to a collar or ring that encircles the stipe.
Additionally, the attachment of the gills to the stem is classified based on the shape of the gills when viewed from the side, while colour, crowding, and the shape of individual gills can also be important features. For example, the genus Lactarius, also known as Milk Mushrooms, turn brown when injured and "bleed" a white latex or "milk". The gills of the Parasol Mushroom, Parasola plicatilis, are blackened due to spore production, and their spores are black. Spore colour within each species is constant, so colour is an important consideration when identifying gill fungi.
PlantNet's Mushroom Identification: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Gill mushrooms are either edible or toxic
Mushrooms are a type of fungus with a wide range of shapes, colours, and characteristics. They are classified based on their macroscopic and microscopic structures. Gill mushrooms are a type of mushroom that has thin, papery gills under their caps, which radiate from the stem. These gills are an important means of spore dispersal and are used for species identification.
While gill mushrooms can be either edible or toxic, it is important to note that the distinction between edible and poisonous fungi is not always clear-cut. Some general guidelines can help identify whether a gill mushroom is safe to consume. Firstly, it is recommended to avoid mushrooms with red on the cap, stem, or pores, as these may be poisonous. Additionally, if the flesh of a mushroom quickly stains blue when cut, it is best to treat it as toxic.
There are also specific characteristics of gill mushrooms that can indicate their edibility or toxicity. For example, mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous base called a volva, should be avoided as they belong to the deadly Amanita family. On the other hand, certain gilled mushrooms, such as those from the Lactarius family, known as "Milk Mushrooms," are considered edible by some. These mushrooms exude a white latex or "milk" when injured, which can be a distinguishing feature. However, it is important to note that most Milkcaps are toxic, and consuming them can lead to bitter or hot sensations.
Identifying gill mushrooms with certainty can be challenging, and it is crucial to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms. It is generally advised to avoid consuming any wild mushrooms unless they can be identified with absolute certainty. While some regions, such as parts of Asia, are known for their safe mushroom-foraging practices, it is always better to err on the side of caution and refrain from consuming mushrooms unless they have been properly identified by a knowledgeable source.
Enoki Mushrooms: Are They a Good Source of Protein?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Gill mushrooms are part of the Basidiomycete group.
Agaricus, Amanita, Lepiota, and Pluteus are some of the many genera of gill mushrooms.
The gills of a mushroom are the primary site for spore production and dispersal.
Gill mushrooms can be identified by the intricate patterns and attachment styles of their gills. The shape, colour, and crowding of the gills are also important features.
No, some gill mushrooms are toxic, while others are edible and good to eat.
