Fun with Fungi Header
× ⚠ Danger ⚠ Many fungi contain toxins that can be harmful or fatal. DO NOT HANDLE or EAT any mushrooms you find on the trail.

Mushrooms are the 'fruit' of a fungus. Most fungus goes unseen, hiding underground or hidden in plain sight, but it all serves an important purpose in nature. Fungi can't make their own food through photosynthesis so they have to get their food from the environment. A lot of fungi are decomposers, breaking down dead things and returning nutrients to the ecosystem. Let's learn about mushrooms and see what we can find!

Parts of a Mushroom

Oh, Mycellium!

Tap the image above to reveal what's beneath

The mycelium, or “body” of the fungus, is usually hidden underground. The myceluim is made up of thread-like cells called hyphae which release enzymes and absorb nutrients. Turn over a decomposing stick. Or look under a rock or log. Can you find the threads of a mycelium?

Mushroom Hunt!

Agarics(Gilled mushrooms)

Most agarics are shaped like umbrellas; they have an open cap and a stalk. These gilled mushrooms have tiny ridges (gills) on the underside of the cap where the spores are released. Tap each mushroom to check them off as you find them.

Boletes

Boletes have a stalk and a round cap but unlike gilled mushrooms, the underside of the cap is spongy. Tap each mushroom to check them off as you find them.

Bracket Fungi

Often growing on tree trunks, shelf fungi look like, well, shelves. Many shelf fungi can be found throughout the year because they are woody. Look for tiny ridges on the underside of the shelf where the spores are released. Tap each mushroom to check them off as you find them.

Which of these structures is NOT part of a mushroom?

True or False? Fungi use photosynthesis to make their own food.

You'll be able to add this adventure to your journal once you pass the quiz. Check your answers to see how you're doing!