Mushrooms

Summary

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

Contents

Size and Age

Though mushroom fruiting bodies are short-lived, the underlying mycelium can itself be long-lived and massive. A colony of Armillaria ostoyae in Malheur National Forest in the United States is estimated to be 2,400 years old, possibly older, and spans an estimated 2,200 acres. Most of the fungus is underground and in decaying wood or dying tree roots in the form of white mycelia combined with black shoelace-like rhizomorphs that bridge colonized separated woody substrates.

Identification

dentifying mushrooms requires a basic understanding of their macroscopic structure. Most are Basidiomycetes and gilled. Their spores, called basidiospores, are produced on the gills and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps as a result. At the microscopic level the basidiospores are shot off of basidia and then fall between the gills in the dead air space. As a result, for most mushrooms, if the cap is cut off and placed gill-side-down overnight, a powdery impression reflecting the shape of the gills (or pores, or spines, etc.) is formed (when the fruitbody is sporulating). The color of the powdery print, called a spore print, is used to help classify mushrooms and can help to identify them. Spore print colors include white (most common), brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, and cream, but almost never blue, green, or red.
While modern identification of mushrooms is quickly becoming molecular, the standard methods for identification are still used by most and have developed into a fine art harking back to medieval times and the Victorian era, combined with microscopic examination. The presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of color, habitat, habit, and season are all considered by mycologists, amateur and professional alike. Tasting and smelling mushrooms carries its own hazards because of poisons and allergens. Chemical tests are also used for some genera.
In general, identification to genus can often be accomplished in the field using a local mushroom guide. Identification to species, however, requires more effort; one must remember that a mushroom develops from a button stage into a mature structure, and only the latter can provide certain characteristics needed for the identification of the species. However, over-mature specimens lose features and cease producing spores. Many novices have mistaken humid water marks on paper for white spore prints, or discolored paper from oozing liquids on lamella edges for colored spored prints.

Nutritional Information

Mushrooms are low in calories, have no cholesterol and are virtually free of fat and sodium. Mushrooms also contain other essential minerals like Selenium, which works with Vitamin E to produce antioxidants that neutralize "free radicals" which can cause cell damage. Studies have suggested that selenium may reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, may slow the progress of HIV disease and may aid in symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis and asthma. Studies show men who eat selenium rich foods may lower their risk of prostate cancer.

Sources

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom
2. http://www.forestmushrooms.com/facts.html

Varieties

Abalone Mushrooms, Agaricus Mushrooms, Beefsteak Mushrooms, Blewit Mushrooms, Blue-leg Mushrooms, Bluette Mushrooms, Bonnet Mushrooms, Brickcap Mushrooms, Butter Mushrooms, Button Mushrooms, Cauliflower Mushrooms, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Chestnut Mushrooms, Chicken-of-the-Woods Mushrooms, Clamshell Mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, Enoki Mushrooms, Eryngii Mushrooms, Field Mushrooms, Gambone Mushrooms, Golden Mushrooms, Hedgehog Mushrooms, Hen-of-The-Woods Mushrooms, Hiratak Mushrooms, Honey Mushrooms, Horse Mushrooms, Lobster Mushrooms, Maitake Mushrooms, Matsutake Mushrooms, Meadow Mushrooms, Morel Mushrooms, Mousseron Mushrooms, Agaricus, Bay Boletus, Beefsteak, Blewit, Branched Oyster, Brick Top, Button, Chanterelle (Black), Chanterelle (White), Chanterelles, Chanterelles (Winter), Chanterelles (Yellow-Footed), Chestnut, Chicken-of-the-Woods, Closed Cups, Cloud Ear, Cremini, Enoki, False Morels, Gills, Granulated Bolete, Hedgehog, Hen-of-The-Woods, Horse, King Trumpet, Large Open Cup, Lion's Mane, Matsutake, Morel, Mousseron, Nameko, Nametake, Open Cup, Oronge, Oyster, Porcini, Porcini (dried), Portobello, Puff Ball, Shimeji, Shitake, Slippery Jack, St George's, Stone, Straw, Wine Cap, Wood Ear, Nameko Mushrooms, Nametake Mushrooms, Oronge Mushrooms, Phoenix Mushrooms, Porcini Mushrooms, Portobello Mushrooms, Shiitake Mushrooms, Shimeji Mushrooms, Snow Mushrooms, Sovereign Mushrooms, Stone Mushrooms, Straw Mushrooms, Tibetan Mushrooms, Umbrella Mushrooms, White Mushrooms, Wild Mushrooms, Winter Mushrooms