| Revision as of 01:54, 19 January 2003 view sourceGbleem (talk | contribs)4,630 editsm Changed the wording to recognize alternative meaning of mushroom.← Previous edit | Revision as of 01:54, 19 January 2003 view source Gbleem (talk | contribs)4,630 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| A '''mushroom''' is the fruiting body of a ]. This is usually the basidium of a ] |
A '''mushroom''' is the fruiting body of a ]. This is usually the basidium of a ], the part of the fungus that is designed to release ]s into the air. It is an extension of the ] in the substrate. Since the visible mushroom is only the ], and not the whole organism, mushrooms will regrow given enough time and if the fungus survives. The cells that make up mushrooms are called ]e. | ||
| Mushrooms are used extensively in ] in many ]. However, many mushrooms are poisonous, and eating them can be fatal. Picking your own wild mushrooms is extremely risky and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. Mushrooms and other fungi are studied by ]s. | Mushrooms are used extensively in ] in many ]. However, many mushrooms are poisonous, and eating them can be fatal. Picking your own wild mushrooms is extremely risky and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. Mushrooms and other fungi are studied by ]s. | ||
Revision as of 01:54, 19 January 2003
A mushroom is the fruiting body of a fungus. This is usually the basidium of a basidiomycete, the part of the fungus that is designed to release spores into the air. It is an extension of the mycelium in the substrate. Since the visible mushroom is only the fruit, and not the whole organism, mushrooms will regrow given enough time and if the fungus survives. The cells that make up mushrooms are called hyphae.
Mushrooms are used extensively in cooking in many cuisines. However, many mushrooms are poisonous, and eating them can be fatal. Picking your own wild mushrooms is extremely risky and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. Mushrooms and other fungi are studied by mycologists.
Note: Sometimes the term mushroom is used to mean an edible fungus or edible part of a fungus instead of the basidium. For example the morel (Morchella), is often called a mushroom even though it is an ascomycete and therefore does not have a basidium.
Psilocybin mushrooms possess hallucinogenic properties and are commonly known as "'shrooms". A number of other mushrooms are eaten for their psychoactive effects, including Fly Agaric.
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.
Crinipellis perniciosa mushroom thumbnail
Larger Crinipellis perniciosa mushroom image
