| Revision as of 06:27, 31 December 2003 view source24.108.251.191 (talk) fixed spelling of Psilocybin.← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:03, 17 January 2004 view source Marshman (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users9,354 edits More typical mushroom pictureNext edit → | ||
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| <div style="float:right;margin:0 0 1em 1em;text-align:center;">]<br><small>''Several mushrooms (])''</small></div> | |||
| ⚫ | The term '''mushroom''' usually refers to the aboveground fruiting body (]-producing structure) of ] with a shaft and a cap, and in extension, referring 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 fruiting body (]-producing structure) of ] with a shaft and a cap, and in extension, referring 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>'']''<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 - 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. People who collect mushrooms for consumption are known as mushroom hunters, and the act of collecting them as such is called ] - an activity with potentially deadly outcome that one should be well prepared for before attempting. | 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. People who collect mushrooms for consumption are known as mushroom hunters, and the act of collecting them as such is called ] - an activity with potentially deadly outcome that one should be well prepared for before attempting. | ||
| The main types of mushrooms are ], ], ], ], ]s, ]s, ], ], ], ]s, and ]. "True mushrooms" are classified as ] (also known as "club fungi"). | The main types of mushrooms are ], ], ], ], ]s, ]s, ], ], ], ]s, and ]. "True mushrooms" are classified as ] (also known as "club fungi"). | ||
| <div style="float:left;margin:0 1em 1em 0;text-align:center;">]<br><small>''The fan-shaped basidiocarp of''<br>]'', a fungus<br>that infects ] trees (])''</small></div> | |||
| One common method used to assist in identification of mushrooms is the ]. | One common method used to assist in identification of mushrooms is the ]. | ||
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| 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. | ||
| ⚫ | ===See also=== | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| *]s, ], ]s | *]s, ], ]s | ||
| == External links == | === External links === | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ---- | |||
| ⚫ | Any large detonation of explosives, including that from a ], produces a ], so named because its shape resembles a mushroom. | ||
| ] ] | ] ] | ||
Revision as of 18:03, 17 January 2004
mushroom
Several mushrooms (enlarge)
The term mushroom usually refers to the aboveground fruiting body (spore-producing structure) of fungi with a shaft and a cap, and in extension, referring to the entire fungi of such appearance, but is also used to refer to many visible fungi in general.
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. People who collect mushrooms for consumption are known as mushroom hunters, and the act of collecting them as such is called mushroom hunting - an activity with potentially deadly outcome that one should be well prepared for before attempting.
The main types of mushrooms are agarics, boletes, chanterelles, tooth fungi, polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi. "True mushrooms" are classified as Basidiomycota (also known as "club fungi").
Crinipellis perniciosa mushroom
The fan-shaped basidiocarp of
Crinipellis perniciosa, a fungus
that infects cacao trees (enlarge)
One common method used to assist in identification of mushrooms is the spore print.
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.
See also
External links
Any large detonation of explosives, including that from a nuclear weapon, produces a mushroom cloud, so named because its shape resembles a mushroom.