Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi, with approximately 14,000 species identified. They are typically identified by characteristics such as the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season. The term mushroom is commonly used to describe fleshy fruiting bodies with a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) that produce microscopic spores. These gills are responsible for helping the fungus spread. While the standard for the name mushroom is the cultivated white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), the term is also applied to various other gilled and non-gilled fungi. Mushrooms play important roles in nature and for humans, such as breaking down dead materials and providing edible sources of nutrients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The term "mushroom" is used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. |
| Morphology | Mushrooms typically have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. |
| Spores | Mushrooms produce microscopic spores that aid in their spread. |
| Identification | Traditional methods include examining juices, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of color, habitat, and season. Modern identification is increasingly molecular. |
| Development | Mushrooms develop from a small nodule called a primordium, enlarging into a button before maturing. |
| Lifespan | Mushrooms have a short lifespan, collapsing and deteriorating after shedding their spores. However, some species like turkey tails can last longer. |
| Habitat | Mushrooms typically grow underground, on the surface, or beneath the bark of dead or living trees. |
| Ecology | Mushrooms play a vital role in breaking down dead materials, preventing a buildup of leaf litter and fallen branches. |
| Edibility | Some mushrooms are edible and provide essential amino acids and B vitamins. Examples include chanterelles and horn-of-plenty mushrooms. |
| Toxicity | Amateur and professional mycologists must be cautious when identifying mushrooms due to potential poisons and allergens. |
| Diversity | There are approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms, exhibiting a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. |
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What You'll Learn
- The standard for the name mushroom is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus
- Mushroom also describes a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems
- Some mushrooms are not gilled, so the term mushroom is loosely used
- Mushrooms are identified by the presence of juices, bruising-reactions, odors, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season
- There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America, and they have a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colours
The standard for the name mushroom is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus
The term "mushroom" is typically used to refer to the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. This species is characterised by a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap, which produce microscopic spores. While the term "mushroom" is often associated with this specific structure, it is also used more broadly to describe other types of fungi.
The Agaricus bisporus, or white button mushroom, is the most common reference point for the word "mushroom" due to its familiar appearance and cultivation. This species is widely cultivated and recognised, making it a standard against which other mushrooms are compared. The white button mushroom belongs to the Basidiomycota division and the Agaricomycetes class, which includes many other mushroom-forming fungi.
However, the term "mushroom" is not limited solely to Agaricus bisporus. It is also commonly applied to other gilled fungi, both within and outside the Agaricomycetes class. These gilled mushrooms, often called agarics, can have varying structures, such as the honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea), which exhibits the characteristic cap and stalk of an agaric. Additionally, the term "mushroom" can be used more broadly to describe various fungal fruiting bodies, including polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, and bracket fungi.
The identification of mushrooms goes beyond visual inspection. Traditional methods, honed over centuries, involve examining factors such as the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, season, and microscopic features. Modern identification techniques have evolved to include molecular methods, combining traditional knowledge with scientific advancements.
Mushrooms play a crucial role in nature and human culture. They contribute to soil erosion prevention, water retention, nutrient cycling, and healthy soil development. Additionally, they possess medicinal properties, having been used in the creation of antibiotics and drugs. In cuisine, mushrooms are valued for their delicate flavour and texture, and they are a good source of essential amino acids and B vitamins.
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Mushroom also describes a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems
The term "mushroom" is used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. The gills of these fungi produce microscopic spores, which help them spread across the ground or their occupant surface. While the standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, the term is also used to describe a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems.
The term "mushroom" is loosely used to describe various fungi, and providing a full account of their classifications can be challenging. Some mushrooms have pores underneath and are usually called "boletes", while others have spines, such as the hedgehog mushroom and other tooth fungi. "Mushroom" has been used interchangeably with polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi. Thus, the term is more commonly applied to macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies than to a precise taxonomic meaning.
Some mushrooms have gills, while others do not. The gills may end when the stipe (stalk) begins, or they may run down the length of the stem. The underside of the cap is often where the fertile surface, or hymenial layer, can be found, and this is where spores are formed. The presence of gills is a standard morphology for the name "mushroom". Forms that deviate from this standard morphology, such as boletes and truffles, usually have more specific names.
The cantharelloid fungi, including the edible chanterelle and the horn-of-plenty mushroom, are club-, cone-, or trumpet-shaped mushroom-like forms with an expanded top bearing coarsely folded ridges along the underside and descending along the stalk. The morels and false morels or lorchels are also popularly included with true mushrooms because of their shape and fleshy structure. They resemble a deeply folded or pitted conelike sponge at the top of a hollow stem.
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Some mushrooms are not gilled, so the term mushroom is loosely used
The standard definition of a "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. This definition is used because the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae, sing. lamella) on the underside of the cap. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread.
However, not all mushrooms have this exact structure. Some mushrooms have pores underneath, such as boletes, while others have spines, like the hedgehog mushroom and other tooth fungi. Some mushrooms don't have gills at all, and are instead classified as false gills, which are little more than folds, wrinkles, or veins. Examples of these include the Cantharellus and Craterellus genera, which include the highly prized edible chanterelle and the horn-of-plenty mushroom.
The term "mushroom" is therefore used loosely to refer to a wide variety of macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies. This includes polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi. While these may not fit the standard definition of a mushroom, they are commonly referred to as such.
Furthermore, the terms "mushroom" and "toadstool" have been used interchangeably for centuries without a precise definition or consensus on their application. This makes it challenging to provide a definitive classification for all the diverse forms that mushrooms can take.
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Mushrooms are identified by the presence of juices, bruising-reactions, odors, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, specifically fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. The term "mushroom" is typically used to describe the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which has a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. However, the term is also used more broadly to describe a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems.
Identification of Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be identified by various means, including the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season. Here are some detailed methods of identification:
Juices and Bruising Reactions
When identifying mushrooms, check for the presence of juices and bruising reactions. Some mushrooms will exhibit colour changes when damaged or injured. For example, certain mushrooms will bruise or bleed a specific colour. This is caused by a chemical reaction when certain compounds in the cell walls of the mushroom are exposed to oxygen in the air. For instance, the bolete species (Boletus campestris) will bruise blue or blue-green, while the Gyroporus cyanescens cap will turn blue when sliced. The Psilocybe cubensis, a hallucinogenic mushroom, has stems that bruise blue or blue-green.
Odors and Tastes
Mushrooms can also be identified by their odors and tastes, though caution must be exercised as some mushrooms may contain poisons or allergens.
Shades of Colour
The shades of colour of a mushroom can be a helpful identification factor. Typically, edible mushrooms have brown or tan gills, while those with white gills can be poisonous. Additionally, mushrooms with white, tan, or brown caps and stems are generally safe, while red mushrooms are often dangerous to eat.
Habitat and Season
The habitat and season in which a mushroom is found can also aid in identification. For example, oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus genus) are often found growing on wood or debris, while cup fungi are commonly found growing on decaying wood, leaf litter, or in soil.
It is important to note that mushroom identification can be complex, and misidentification can have serious consequences. While the methods mentioned above provide some guidance, it is always advisable to consult expert sources or professional mycologists when in doubt.
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There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America, and they have a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colours
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, specifically those that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) underneath the cap. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread. However, not all mushrooms have this structure, and the term "mushroom" is used loosely to describe a variety of other fungi. Some have pores or spines underneath, rather than gills, and are known as boletes or hedgehog mushrooms, respectively. Other types of fungi referred to as mushrooms include polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi.
There are approximately 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America, exhibiting a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and colours. Mushrooms play an important ecological role, breaking down dead organic matter and helping trees absorb water and minerals through a mutually beneficial relationship with their roots.
Identifying mushroom species can be challenging, even for experienced mycologists, as different species can look very similar. Traditional methods of identification involve examining characteristics such as the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season. More modern approaches use molecular techniques for species identification.
Some well-known types of mushrooms include chanterelles, false chanterelles, milk-cap mushrooms, russulas, fairy-ring mushrooms, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, and fly agarics. Some mushrooms have common names that refer to their unique characteristics, such as lion's mane, chicken of the woods, and turkey tail.
Mushrooms also have various culinary and medicinal uses. Edible mushrooms, such as chanterelles and truffles, are valued for their delicate flavour and texture. Additionally, mushrooms are a source of antibiotics and other drugs; for example, penicillin was first isolated from a fungus in the 1940s.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a type of fungus. They are not plants and are closer relatives to animals.
There are approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms.
Some common mushrooms include button mushrooms, cremini/crimini mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, and fly agarics.
Some unusual mushrooms include lobster mushrooms, jelly fungi, ear fungi, and stinkhorns.
Mushroom identification is a fine art. While modern identification is becoming molecular, standard methods consider the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, season, and more. Identification to the genus level can be done in the field, but identification to the species level requires more effort.
