MUSHROOM

A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-producing fruiting body of a fungus, typically growing above ground on soil or decaying organic matter. It usually consists of a cap, gills or pores underneath, and a stem. Mushrooms come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are edible and highly nutritious, while others are toxic or hallucinogenic. They play a crucial role in ecosystems as decomposers, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients.