When attempting to identify mushrooms, one of the more relevant characteristics to look for is their mechanism of spore distribution. This is simply how the mushroom creates and spreads its spores.

Spores can be thought of as fungus seeds. Mushrooms create and shed millions of spores in the hopes that some may germinate, fuse, and develop into new mycelium. Mycelium is the real organism that gives rise to mushrooms. To form an analogy, consider the mycelium to be the tree, the mushrooms it produces to be the apples, and the spores produced by the mushrooms to be the apple seeds.

The tissue that produces these spores (called the hymenium) can be found on a variety of structures. We'll look at each structure individually, beginning with gills, then pores, and finally teeth (my personal favorite!). Finally, we'll look for mushrooms that disseminate their spores without the need for gills, pores, or teeth.

Mushrooms With Gold Leaf

Mushroom gills are thin, papery appendages that dangle vertically under the cap of the mushroom. The primary function of these gills, known as lamellae, is to create spores. Millions of spores are then released from the gills, where they are dispersed by wind currents.

When recognizing mushrooms, it is critical to look at the gills. Mycologists use a variety of words to describe gill structure, some of which are highly exact and intricate. The following are some of the most prevalent characteristics of mushroom gills:

• Attachment of the stem Examines how the gills are attached to the stem. They might be "decurrent," which means they run down the stem-like golden teacher mushroom. They might be "free," which means they don't adhere to the stem at all, like portobellos or amanitas. They can also be connected directly or via a notch. More information may be found in your handbook.
• Bruising and color Take note of the color of the gills of your mushroom. They can be considerably different from the color of the cap at times. They may bruise a different hue if you apply pressure to them with your fingernail or a knife. These characteristics might assist you in identifying mushrooms with gills.
• The distance between gills. Take a look at how many gills are crammed into the bottom of the cap. Is it packed with a lot of gills in one spot, or is there enough room between them? This can, obviously, be difficult to assess!
• Length. The gills may not always run all the way from the stem to the cap. These are known as "short gills," and they can aid with identification.
• Forking. Another crucial characteristic to consider when trying to identify mushrooms is whether or not the gills fork (branch off from one another).
• Forking gills can occasionally trick you! The edible chanterelle contains forked structures, however, these are essentially "fake gills." Unlike actual gills, they are not discrete elements that may be removed independently. They appear instead as melting wrinkles on the underside of a mushroom. When picking chanterelles, learn to tell the difference between real and fake gills.
• Purchasing some portobello mushrooms from your local grocery shop is a terrific method to carefully check the gills of mushrooms. This allows you to pick and prod at them as much as you like. Some recipes may instruct you to remove the gills before cooking. This is not for safety considerations, but rather for aesthetic purposes. The gills tend to give the remainder of the dish a deeper, grey tint, which may not appear very delicious!

Species That Have Pores

A pore is another structure that, instead of a gill, is employed for spore dissemination. Mushroom pores show as little holes on the cap's underside.

These holes are the endpoints of a network of tubes that go through the mushroom cap. Spores are formed on the walls of these tubes and are finally released, falling down the tube, out the pore, and into the air. Wind, animals, and insects will take them further.

When attempting to identify mushrooms, take notice of the pore surface. Color, pore size, and pore pattern may help identify the species. A key or handbook will assist you in narrowing it down, but keep in mind that certain characteristics may alter as a mushroom ages. (Don't worry, gills will never turn into pores!)

Boletes (the genus Boletus) and polypores are two types of mushrooms that have holes. Here are some quick features of each:

• Boletes are mycorrhizal, which means they create symbiotic associations with tree roots. As a result, they are mostly seen growing on the ground under trees throughout the summer.
• The majority of boletes have a stalk, an umbrella-shaped top, and disseminate spores through microscopic pores under the cap. This pore-infested region beneath the cap is sometimes rather spongy.
• Some boletes, like the porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis), are prized foods. Others, notably some red-pored boletes, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Don't assume that every bolete you see is edible! Make an effort to make a correct identification.
• Polypores, unlike boletes, usually always grow on wood and never on the ground. They can be found on decaying trees, stumps, and logs.
• Polypores are typically formed like shelves, therefore the name "bracket fungus." They lack crowns and a recognizable stem.
• Polypores have no dangerous species, making them an excellent category to study while learning to identify mushrooms. Some are also thought to have medicinal properties. The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and turkey tail are two examples (Trametes Versicolor).

Fungi In The Teeth

Another way for spores to spread is by teeth. Tooth fungi feature long, thin "tooth" that dangle down and generate spores. They have the same setup and function as gilled fungus, however, the process is carried out by their spiky teeth.

Although there are fewer teeth-bearing mushrooms than their gilled and pored relatives, this fungus category nevertheless contains several intriguing species. The hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum repandum, seen above) is a popular edible that is closely related to the golden chanterelle. Hericium Erinaceus (also known as Lion's Mane, Bearded Tooth, or Bearded Hedgehog) is tasty food with potentially therapeutic characteristics.

Although there are fewer teeth-bearing mushrooms than their gilled and pored relatives, this fungus category nevertheless contains several intriguing species. The hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum repandum, seen above) is a popular edible that is closely related to the golden chanterelle. Hericium Erinaceus (also known as Lion's Mane, Bearded Tooth, or Bearded Hedgehog) is tasty food with potentially therapeutic characteristics. if you want to get more information, please visit the website https://mungus.com/