Question

Is mushroom an example of edible fungi?

Answer 1

The Fungi are eukaryotic, non-vascular heterotrophic organisms. They have a great economical significance as they give us several valuable products like acids, ethanol etc. Certain fungi like Agaricus are even edible.

Complete answer:
There are several species of fungi that are harnessed for the valuable product they yield. Likewise, Agaricus is an edible fungus of the genus Mushroom.

Mushroom commonly known as toadstool is a flesh, macroscopic fruiting body which bears spores. It is produced above the ground or on some food source like wood. They belong to the division Basidiomycota and Agaricomycetes. The physical description includes a stem which is known as a stipe, a cap or the pileus and the lamellae or the gills which are present under the cap. The reproductive spores are present in the gills which help in spreading the fungi on the ground.

There are more than 300 members of Agaricus which are fondly eaten all over the world. The most popularly consumed mushroom is Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris. Certain mushrooms are poisonous in nature like Amanita. The mushrooms also produce several secondary metabolites, antibiotics and also produce bioluminescence.

So, we can say that mushrooms are the macroscopic bodies/fungi which is used as a favourite food worldwide.

Note: The mushrooms should be cooked before eating. The mushrooms are a good source of water and fibres. They are rich in proteins and vitamin D. Some amount of toxins and allergens are also present in mushrooms which are often destroyed in cooking. The poisonous mushroom can even cause liver necrosis and ultimately death.