Small glossary of barbaric mycicultural terms

Mycelium of mushrooms, made up of a network of small white filaments. Generally it refers to what is used as seeds, based on grains or sawdust.

The sporophore (literally “spore-bearer”), also called sporocarp (“spore fruit”), sporophytic apparatus, fruiting apparatus or fruiting body, formerly carpophore (literally “fruit-bearer”)a, is the reproductive apparatus of mushrooms called superiors. It is, in popular and literary language, the “fruiting” organ of the mushroom (sensu lato) and not only of the mycelium of mushrooms. (Wikipedia)

Can refer to several things. In common language, it designates the fruiting body of the mycelium, i.e. the visible part often composed of a stem and a cap (for button mushrooms for example). It can also designate more generally the reign of the Fungis

When a substrate or medium is seeded with mushroom spawn, each small piece of mycelium will give rise to a new colony. They are the same genetic individual. Each of these colonies will expand and then when they meet, will merge again to form a single body.

Form of asexual reproduction, which could be similar to cuttings for plants. The mycelium extends over its substrate, and removing a piece of mycelium allows it to reproduce while keeping the same genetic characteristics.

In other words the “fruit” of the mushroom. This is its reproductive part. See “sporophore”

Like plants and animals, mushrooms form a separate kingdom, that of the fungi. It includes microscopic unicellular organisms such as yeasts, multicellular organisms such as molds and so-called “higher” fungi or macromycetes such as oyster mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms.

Filaments which constitute the mycelium of mushrooms. This structure can also be found in algae or actinobacteria.

Fungi are called “heterotrophs” because they get their food and organic matter from other organisms. Organisms can be alive (symbiotic or parasitic fungi), or dead (saprophytic fungi).

Stage where the mycelium colonizes the substrate. It can take 2-3 weeks for some oyster mushrooms to 3 months for shiitake mushrooms.

Seeding a substrate with mycelium. The substrate is generally pasteurized, and mixed with mushroom “white” once cooled.

synonymous with “inoculation”: Seeding a substrate with mycelium. The substrate is generally pasteurized, and mixed with mushroom “white” once cooled.

Symbiosis between at least one fungus, one algae and one bacterial community. “The lichen thallus develops slowly on the surface of various supports, including in often hostile environments (exposure to drought, high temperatures, etc.). The proportion of the earth's surface covered by lichens3,4 is estimated at 6%, of which around 20,000 species are known. » (Wikipedia)

Macromycetes are fungi visible to the naked eye, as opposed to micromycetes which are only visible under microscopes.

A microbe is a micro-organism, meaning it cannot be observed with the naked eye. Microbes include: bacteria, fungi, certain algae, etc. The vast majority of the living world on earth is microbial.

This is the vegetative apparatus of the fungus. Often barely visible, it is made up of a network of small filaments called “hyphae”. It is generally found under the ground (underground), or inside its substrate: dead branches, fruits, etc. “The underground vegetative mycelium gives rise to a generally aerial reproductive mycelium, called a sporophore, responsible for the production and maturation of spores resulting from sexual or asexual reproduction. What we commonly call a mushroom is in fact just this sporophore, the reproductive apparatus formed by the fertile mycelium. » (Wikipedia)

Myciculture is the cultivation of mushrooms. The person who takes care of this culture is called the myciculturist, or the mushroom grower.

It is the result of the association between a plant and a mushroom. Mushroom mycelium surrounds or penetrates the interior of a plant root. The plant's exploration surface is multiplied by 10,000 thanks to mycorrhizae, which also have an energy cost of installation 100 times lower than that of the roots. The plant will provide the fungus with sugars produced by photosynthesis. And the fungus will provide the plant with minerals, water and antibiotics which will strengthen its immune system. Mycelia connect different trees which can exchange information and nutrients, and even within different species. The potential for using mycorrhizal fungi in agriculture, horticulture, forestry or even soil remediation is therefore enormous and relatively underestimated until now.

Family of fungi that live at the expense of other living organisms. The relationship between the host and its parasite has a negative effect on the host.

Pasteurization allows, through a rise in temperature, to eliminate part of the micro-organisms present in an environment. It makes it possible to improve the conservation of certain foods, and for the cultivation of mushrooms, it makes it possible to eliminate most of the competitors to give more chances to the mycelium chosen. Pasteurization is carried out at temperatures generally between 62 and 88°, without pressure. While sterilization is done with pressure, which allows a temperature rise to 121°, and thus eliminates all the microorganisms present.

"In the forest, branches or trunks affected by fibrous rot become friable, whitish. The wood loses its mechanical strength and when it is crumbled, it disintegrates into elongated and soft fibers. White rot (or "fibrous") is a fungal disease of wood caused by wood-eating fungi which degrade lignin (ligninolysis) then cellulose (cellulolysis). White rot represents nearly 90% of the fungi associated with dead wood." (Wikipedia)

Brown rot is also called cubic rot. It is caused by fungi specialized in the degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose. It destroys the structure of the wood. At an advanced stage of decay, wood loses much of its raw density and tensile and bending strength. The remaining lignin, more or less modified, then gives the decomposed wood its dark brown color, because a large part of the brown lignin remains, while the light cellulose is destroyed.

Family of fungi that decompose dead matter. Most cultivated mushrooms belong to this family: agaric, oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms. They essentially break down lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose.

English name for “mushroom spawn” or “seeding mycelium”

Microscopic dust, which constitutes the organ of propagation of fungi. Spores are produced by the sexual reproduction of fungi. A mushroom can produce billions of spores. They allow the identification of certain varieties. In mushroom cultivation, it allows the renewal or creation of new varieties.

The sporophore (literally “spore-bearer”), also called sporocarp (“spore fruit”), sporophytic apparatus, fruiting apparatus or fruiting body, formerly carpophore (literally “fruit-bearer”)a, is the reproductive apparatus of mushrooms called superiors. It is, in popular and literary language, the “fruiting” organ of the mushroom (sensu lato) and not only of the mycelium of mushrooms. (Wikipedia)

Sterilization aims to eliminate all of the microorganisms present in an environment. It is obtained by an increase in heat. The pressure increases the boiling point and rises to more than 121°, the minimum sterilization temperature. Sterilization is generally used for the manufacture of “spawn”, seeds used for the production of mushrooms. Sterilization is done in autoclaves or more simply at home with pressure cookers (pressure cooker). The sterilization time depends on the substrates, the size of the jars or bags, humidity, etc.

This is the material on which the mycelium will develop, expand and nourish itself. The most common growing substrates are manure compost for mushrooms (agaric), and straw or sawdust for wood mushrooms.

Family of fungi that live in relationships with plants. The symbiosis occurs through the formation of mycorrhizae at the roots. This relationship benefits both partners. Among the symbiotic mushrooms, we can count the truffle, amanitas, boletus, etc. See Mycorrhiza

Reishi, glowing ganoderm

Hydne Hedgehog, Lion’s Mane, Lions Mane