Mushrooms

A mushroom is a fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source.

The main body of a mushroom is composed of mycelium. Mycelium is a network of fine, thread-like filaments that make up the body of the fungus. The mycelium of a mushroom is typically white or light-colored. The mycelium absorbs nutrients from the surrounding environment and produces the fruiting body of the mushroom.

The fruiting body of a mushroom is composed of the cap, stem, and gills. The cap is the umbrella-like top of the mushroom. The stem is the stalk that supports the cap. The gills are the thin, plate-like structures on the underside of the cap. These structures are lined with pores that release spores.

Mushrooms reproduce through the release of spores. Spores are tiny, dust-like particles that contain the genetic material of the fungus. When the spores are released, they are carried by the wind to new locations. If the spores land in a suitable environment, they will germinate and grow into new mushrooms.