Emily Johnson
Mushroom is a contestant on the fourth season of the popular reality singing competition, The Masked Singer. The show features celebrities who perform in elaborate costumes, keeping their identities hidden. Mushroom's costume was one of the most detailed in the show's history, and the celebrity behind the mask was only revealed during the finale. Many fans and judges guessed the identity of Mushroom, with guesses ranging from Todrick Hall to Jaden Smith. However, the runner-up was eventually revealed to be singer Aloe Blacc.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom on The Masked Singer Season 4 | Taye Diggs, Todrick Hall, Jordan Fisher, Aloe Blacc |
| Clues | Street hot dog stand, violin case, brown detective top hat, gardening supplies, red JELL-O brain, bull, connection to Robin Thicke, Hamilton references |
| Guesses | Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, Billy Porter |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi
Mushrooms can be identified by their macroscopic structure, which includes the presence of a stalk or stipe. The stalk may be central and support the cap in the middle, or it may be off-center or lateral, as in some species. In other mushrooms, a stalk may be absent altogether. The way the gills attach to the top of the stalk is an important feature of mushroom morphology. Some mushrooms have free gills that do not extend to the top of the stalk, while others have decurrent gills that extend down the stalk.
Mushrooms develop from a small nodule or pinhead called a primordium, which is typically found on or near the surface of the substrate. The primordium enlarges into a roundish structure of interwoven hyphae called a "button." As the mushroom matures, the button ruptures and expands into the familiar cap or pileus. Not all mushrooms expand overnight; some grow very slowly and add tissue to their fruiting bodies over time.
Mushrooms can be classified as edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. The word "toadstool," which generally refers to a poisonous mushroom, first appeared in 14th-century England. The color of the spore print, or spore powder, is also useful in classifying and identifying mushrooms. While modern identification methods are becoming increasingly molecular, standard methods such as microscopic examination and the study of macroscopic characteristics are still widely used.
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Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above the ground on soil or another food source. They can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Edible mushrooms are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value, while poisonous mushrooms can be deadly. Some mushrooms that are edible for most people can cause allergic reactions in others, so it is important to exercise caution when consuming any mushroom for the first time.
Identifying mushrooms can be a challenging task and requires a basic understanding of their macroscopic structure. The presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season are all important factors to consider when identifying a mushroom. Additionally, spore prints can be useful for both classifying and identifying mushrooms. Spore print colours include white, brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and creamy, but they are rarely blue, green, or red.
To avoid poisonous mushrooms, it is recommended to stay away from 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 should also be avoided. If the flesh of a mushroom cuts and rapidly turns blue, it is also likely to be poisonous. The Bolete mushroom is one example of a mushroom that follows these identification rules.
Some edible mushrooms include the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, Porcelain Fungus, Cauliflower Fungus, Dryads Saddle, Hedgehog Fungus, Truffle, Wood Ears, Chicken of the Woods, and Chanterelles. On the other hand, poisonous mushrooms include the Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, Amanita virosa (the Destroying Angel), and Amanita phalloides (the Death Cap).
While foraging for mushrooms can be a fun and exciting way to connect with nature, it is crucial to correctly identify mushrooms before consuming them to ensure safety.
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Mushrooms are classified by their powdery spore print colour
The colour of the spores, or basidiospores, has been used to classify mushrooms since the 19th century, when Swedish mycologist Elias Fries developed a system that divided mushrooms into five groups based on spore colour. These groups are:
- White to yellow
- Pink
- Ochre-brown
- Rusty-brown
- Purple-brown to black
While modern identification methods are increasingly based on molecular analysis, the traditional approach of spore print colour classification remains valuable. Spore prints are often used to identify the genus of a mushroom, and occasionally, they can distinguish between similar species. For example, Russula crustosa and Russula virescens are look-alike species, but they can be differentiated by their yellowish and white spore deposits, respectively.
In addition to colour, other characteristics of spores, such as shape, size, attachment, ornamentation, and reaction to chemical tests, are crucial for mushroom identification. These microscopic features are examined by mycologists using glass slides and microscopes. Furthermore, macroscopic characteristics like the presence of juices, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, and season are also considered in the identification process.
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The Lobster Mushroom is a deformed Russula or Lactarius mushroom
The Lobster Mushroom is a unique variety of fungus that is neither a lobster nor a mushroom. It is a parasitic ascomycete fungus, scientifically known as Hypomyces lactifluorum, that grows on certain species of mushrooms. This fungus transforms the shape of its host mushroom, which is typically a Russula or Lactarius mushroom, twisting it into odd shapes and deforming its gills.
Russula and Lactarius mushrooms, also known as milk-caps or brittlegills, are commonly targeted by the Lobster Mushroom parasite. The parasite covers its host with a bright orange or reddish-orange layer, resembling the outer shell of a cooked lobster. This distinctive colour is a key characteristic of the Lobster Mushroom.
The Lobster Mushroom parasite not only alters the physical appearance of its host but also affects its taste. The parasite counteracts the spicy, hot flavour of Lactarius piperatus, making the infected mushroom more edible and delicious. This transformation of chemicals into more flavorful compounds is a notable aspect of the Lobster Mushroom's impact on its host.
Lobster Mushrooms are widely consumed and can be found in wooded areas, particularly conifer forests. They have a seafood-like flavour and a firm, dense texture, making them a sought-after culinary ingredient. However, it is important to properly identify the host mushroom before consuming Lobster Mushrooms, as there is a hypothetical possibility that the parasite could infect a toxic host. While no instances of toxicity have been recorded, field guides advise caution when consuming Lobster Mushrooms with unknown hosts.
In summary, the Lobster Mushroom is not a single organism but rather the result of a parasitic fungus, Hypomyces lactifluorum, infecting and deforming Russula or Lactarius mushrooms. This transformation gives rise to the distinctive characteristics of the Lobster Mushroom, including its colour, shape, and flavour.
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Mushroom on The Masked Singer was singer Aloe Blacc
Mushroom on The Masked Singer was singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc. Blacc rose to fame with his song "I Need a Dollar" and was featured on the 2016 Hamilton Mixtape. He is also known for his hat-wearing tendencies, his connection to Robin Thicke, and his Grammy-nominated album "Lift Your Spirit".
During his time on The Masked Singer, Mushroom kept the panel guessing with his ever-changing vocal style. In his unmasked interview, Blacc revealed that his daughter was the inspiration for his flamboyant, feminine Mushroom character, which was designed to throw people off the trail. Blacc also explained that the Mushroom character shared the message of his album "All Love Everything", which is about his family, friends, and parents, and is about "togetherness and connection".
Before the finale, panelists Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke correctly guessed that Aloe Blacc was the singer behind the Mushroom mask. Ken Jeong thought it was Pharrell Williams, while Jenny McCarthy guessed Ne-Yo. Other popular guesses included Jordan Fisher, Todrick Hall, and Taye Diggs.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom is Aloe Blacc, a rapper and part of the Emanon hip-hop duo.
Mushroom mentioned wearing many hats, and Blacc is rarely seen without one of his signature hats. Mushroom also gave Nicole Scherzinger cookie dough ice cream, which could be a nod to Blacc's song "I Need a Dollar".
Yes, Todrick Hall, Taye Diggs, Jordan Fisher, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, and Jaden Smith were all popular guesses.
Mushroom sang "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder's "I Wish".
No, Mushroom was the runner-up, losing to LeAnn Rimes, who was disguised as the Sun.
