The cap normally houses the spore producing surface of the fruiting body. The fruiting body may contain a cap, stalk, ring, volva, and gills. The picture at left is that of an Amanita, one type of mushroom. The mature fruiting body can have various structures. The egg/button stage is the early form of this fruiting body. After the sexual process of reproduction has begun, the mushroom forms the structures of a 'fruiting body' that will eventually produce and disperse spores. The single cell then sends out hyphae to help establish the fungus and gather food.Īfter the spore has sent out its hyphae, they will eventually meet up with the hyphae of another mushroom. When the spores of a mushroom are released, they may travel a certain distance before they land. The spore of a mushroom contains all of the necessary materials to form a new fungus. (In puffballs, the basidia are contained within an outer shell and the spores are released when the casing collapses.) The spores are released when they break off. In basidia, the spores are produced externally. When the spores mature, the tip of the ascus breaks open and the spores are released. In asci, the spores are fully contained within an outer covering. There are two types of spore-producing cells: asci and basidia. If the hypha of one spore meets up with the hypha of another, it begins the sexual process of spore prodcution through special spore-producing cells.

The structure that you normally see above the ground is the part of the mushroom that is producing and dispersing spores.Įach spore is a single cell that is capable of sending out a hypha that will develop into a group and form its own mycelium. Each hypha that is sent out makes its way through earth/wood/plant matter until it reaches the surface.ĭuring the organism's specific growing season, the hyphae develop into mature structures capable of reproducing spores.

The mycelium can remain dormant under the ground for many seasons, similar to the roots of plants. Fungi are distinct from plants because they do not possess chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows plants to manufacture sugar from the sun's energy they need to absorb their food from the environment in which they live.įungi use fibers called hyphae (that as a group are referred to as mycelium), to take in food. There are many different kinds of fungi, including molds and crusts, as well as more developed types that have a stalk and a cap.

Spore definition