mushroom

Mushroom is the fleshy fruiting body of certain fungi, produced to release spores. In common usage it refers to a wide range of cap-and-stem forms, primarily from the basidiomycetes and some ascomycetes. The visible mushroom grows from a hidden mycelium network.

Structure and life cycle: A mushroom typically has a cap (pileus), a stem (stipe), gills or pores, and often a ring or volva. The spores produced on the gills enable dispersal; sexual reproduction occurs through the fusion of compatible hyphae, followed by fruiting body formation.

Ecology: Mushrooms are key decomposers, breaking down complex organic matter, and many form mycorrhizal partnerships with trees. Others parasitize living organisms. They inhabit forests, grasslands, urban areas, and agricultural lands, contributing to nutrient cycling and biodiversity.

Edibility and safety: Thousands of species are known, but only a fraction are edible or medicinal. Many mushrooms are poisonous or cause severe illness if misidentified. Cooked mushrooms of edible species are commonly consumed; wild foraging should involve expert identification.

Uses and cultivation: Many species are cultivated for food, including Agaricus bisporus (button), Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster), and Lentinula edodes (shiitake). Mushrooms also provide biotechnological and nutritional value, with studies on bioactive compounds and potential medical applications.