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| The term '''mushroom''' usually refers to the aboveground ] (]-producing structure) of ] with a shaft and a cap, and in extension, refering to the entire fungi of such appearance, but is also used to refer to many visible fungi in general. | The term '''mushroom''' usually refers to the aboveground ] (]-producing structure) of ] with a shaft and a cap, and in extension, refering to the entire fungi of such appearance, but is also used to refer to many visible fungi in general. | ||
| <div style="float:right;text-align:center;padding-left:10px">]<br><small>'']''</small></div> | <div style="float:right;text-align:center;padding-left:10px">]<br><small>'']''<br>Spores released from the fan-shaped basidiocarp of<BR>this inch-wide ] mushroom can<BR>infect ] ]s and drastically reduce yields<BR>of the ]s from which ] and ] products<BR>are made.</small></div> | ||
| Mushrooms are used extensively in ] many ]. However, many mushrooms are ]ous, often resembling edible varieties, and eating them can be fatal. Picking your own wild mushrooms is extremely risky and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. |
Mushrooms are used extensively in ] many ]. However, many mushrooms are ]ous, often resembling edible varieties, and eating them can be fatal. Picking your own wild mushrooms is extremely risky - far riskier than gathering edible ] - and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. This is due to the fact that, while there are only about 400,000 species of plants worldwide, there are an estimated 1.5 million mushroom ]. Further complicating this is the lower degree of variety in easily identifiable traits between mushroom species. Mushrooms and other fungi are studied by ]s. | ||
| The main types of mushrooms are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. "True mushrooms" are classified as ]. | |||
| ⚫ | ] mushrooms possess ] and are commonly known as "'shrooms". A number of other mushrooms are eaten for their psychoactive effects, |
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| ⚫ | ] mushrooms possess ] and are commonly known as "'shrooms". A number of other mushrooms are eaten for their psychoactive effects, such as ]. | ||
| Currently, many species of mushrooms and fungi utilized as folk medicines for thousands of years are under intense study by ethnobotanists and medical researchers. Maitake, shiitake, and reishi varieties are prominent among those being researched for their anti-cancer, anti-viral, and/or immunity-enhancement properties. | Currently, many species of mushrooms and fungi utilized as folk medicines for thousands of years are under intense study by ethnobotanists and medical researchers. Maitake, shiitake, and reishi varieties are prominent among those being researched for their anti-cancer, anti-viral, and/or immunity-enhancement properties. | ||
| Spores released from the fan-shaped basidiocarp of this inch-wide ] mushroom can infect ] ]s and drastically reduce yields of the ]s from which ] and ] products are made. | |||
| A ] when detonated produces a '''mushroom cloud''', so named because of its shape. | A ] when detonated produces a '''mushroom cloud''', so named because of its shape. | ||
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Revision as of 19:51, 20 August 2003
The term mushroom usually refers to the aboveground fruiting body (spore-producing structure) of fungi with a shaft and a cap, and in extension, refering to the entire fungi of such appearance, but is also used to refer to many visible fungi in general.
Crinipellis perniciosa mushroom thumbnail
larger Crinipellis perniciosa
mushroom image
Spores released from the fan-shaped basidiocarp of
this inch-wide Crinipellis perniciosa mushroom can
infect cacao trees and drastically reduce yields
of the beans from which cocoa and chocolate products
are made.
Mushrooms are used extensively in cooking many cuisines. However, many mushrooms are poisonous, often resembling edible varieties, and eating them can be fatal. Picking your own wild mushrooms is extremely risky - far riskier than gathering edible plants - and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. This is due to the fact that, while there are only about 400,000 species of plants worldwide, there are an estimated 1.5 million mushroom species. Further complicating this is the lower degree of variety in easily identifiable traits between mushroom species. Mushrooms and other fungi are studied by mycologists.
The main types of mushrooms are agarics, boletes, Chanterelles, tooth fungi, polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, and cup fungi. "True mushrooms" are classified as Basidiomycota.
Psilocybin mushrooms possess hallucinogenic properties and are commonly known as "'shrooms". A number of other mushrooms are eaten for their psychoactive effects, such as Fly Agaric.
Currently, many species of mushrooms and fungi utilized as folk medicines for thousands of years are under intense study by ethnobotanists and medical researchers. Maitake, shiitake, and reishi varieties are prominent among those being researched for their anti-cancer, anti-viral, and/or immunity-enhancement properties.
A nuclear weapon when detonated produces a mushroom cloud, so named because of its shape.