Fungi safari: Explore the world of fungi

The place where you find a mushroom can tell you something about its feeding strategy. There are three different ways a mushroom can get food:

First, some fungi grow on dead tree trunks because they decompose the wood and feed on it. This type of fungi is called decomposers. In this group of fungi not only dead wood is used as food. Depending on the species, other dead organic materials such as leaves or dead bodies are also decomposed.

Other fungi grow near trees because they live in a partnership with them. Such a relationship is also called symbiosis. The fungus helps the tree to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. In return, the tree delivers sugar to the fungus. This special form of symbiosis between plants and fungi is also called mycorrhiza.

Finally, fungi can also grow on trees that are still alive. There, they also feed on the tree's sugar but do not give anything back in return. It is therefore a parasite for the tree. Such fungi are often found on weakened trees.

The mushroom (or more specific: the fruiting body) is actually only a small part of the whole fungus. The fungus needs the fruiting body to reproduce and spread. In this fruiting body, you can find the spores. The fungus needs them to reproduce. You can compare this with seeds in plants. Because the fruiting body is usually above the surface, the spores can travel far by, for example, being blown away by the wind. By that, the fungus can reach new areas. In comparison, spores cannot travel that far if the spores are released under the earth.

You can find the spores of the mushrooms between the thin membranes of the lamellae. They are well protected by the cap of the mushroom. Scientists use spore prints to identify which species of fungus they have found. The cap is placed on a piece of paper so that the spores cann fall down to the paper. The resulting pattern is typical for the respective fungus.

In the fruiting body of these mushrooms, you can find a chamber that is filled with spores. Ascomycetes or sac fungi form this type of fruiting body. It is also called a perithecium. Here, the spores are released through a small hole in the chamber.

This part of the fungus is called mycelium. The fungus forms a fine network of thin threads in the underground or in tree trunks. This is the actual fungus, which absorbs water and nutrients. Additionally, it can communicate with other living organisms with the help of messenger substances. A single thread is called a hypha. These hyphae are very thin so, you can only see them with the help of a microscope. All hyphae together are called mycelium. In the mycelium, hyphae are so dense that you can see them with your naked eye.