Introduction to the Fascinating World of Mushrooms
Mushrooms play a crucial role in our ecosystems, helping to decompose organic matter and recycle essential nutrients. They are also ubiquitous in our food and culture.
However, specialized jargon can sometimes make this field difficult to access. That is why we created this glossary to help you better understand the most common terms in the world of mushrooms.
Glossary of Key Terms
Device used to sterilize substrates in mushroom cultivation, using steam under pressure to eliminate all microorganisms.
Mushroom mycelium, made up of a network of small white filaments. It is used as a seed, based on grains or sawdust.
The sporophore, or fruiting body, is the visible part of mushrooms, often called "mushroom" in everyday language.
Term referring both to the kingdom of Fungi and, in common language, the fruiting body of the mycelium, visible as a stem and cap.
Group of mycelial cells from the same origin, which fuse to form a single body when they meet.
Asexual reproduction of the mycelium, similar to plant cuttings, allowing reproduction of a fungus with the same genetic characteristics.
Reproductive part of the fungus, corresponding to the sporophore.
Kingdom of fungi, distinct from plants and animals, including yeasts, molds, and higher fungi.
Microscopic filaments that make up the fungus mycelium.
Organisms that obtain their organic matter by feeding on other organisms. Fungi are heterotrophs.
Stage where the mycelium colonizes the substrate, taking from a few weeks to several months depending on the mushroom species.
Process of seeding a substrate with mycelium, usually after substrate pasteurization.
Laminar flow hood used to create a sterile environment during inoculation or mycelium preparation.
Synonym of inoculation, term used to designate the seeding of a substrate with mycelium.
Symbiosis between at least one fungus, an alga, and a bacterial community. Lichens are found in often hostile environments.
Organic compound present in wood, decomposed by certain saprophytic fungi during the substrate decomposition process.
Mushrooms visible to the naked eye, as opposed to micromycetes which are only visible under a microscope.
Microorganism invisible to the naked eye, including bacteria, fungi, and certain algae. The majority of living organisms are microbial.
Vegetative part of the fungus, made up of filaments called hyphae, often not visible because it is found underground or inside the substrate.
Mushroom cultivation. The person who manages this cultivation is called the myciculturist or mushroom grower.
Symbiotic association between a plant and a fungus, where the fungus's mycelium surrounds or penetrates the plant's roots, increasing its absorption surface.
Consumption of mushrooms, whether wild or cultivated. Mycophagy has been practiced for millennia in many cultures.
Family of fungi that live at the expense of other living organisms, with a negative effect on the host.
Thermal process used to eliminate some microorganisms in an environment, used to extend food preservation or prepare a substrate for mushroom cultivation.
Cryptogamic wood disease caused by lignin-degrading fungi, making the wood crumbly and whitish.
Wood rot caused by fungi specialized in degrading cellulose, giving the wood a brown color.
Family of fungi that decompose dead matter, such as agarics, oyster mushrooms, and shiitakes, mainly breaking down lignin and cellulose.
English name for the "spawn" or the "inoculum mycelium".
Microscopic dust that constitutes the propagation organ of fungi, produced by the sexual reproduction of fungi.
Reproductive organ of so-called higher fungi, commonly called "mushroom" in popular language.
Process aimed at eliminating all microorganisms present in an environment using heat under pressure, often used for preparing the "spawn" of mushrooms.
The stalk or stem of the mushroom, which supports the cap. The stipe can vary in size and shape depending on the species.
Material on which the mycelium develops, feeds, and spreads, such as manure compost for button mushrooms or straw for wood-decay mushrooms.
Family of fungi that live in symbiotic relationship with plants, forming mycorrhizae at the roots, such as truffles and amanitas.
Varieties
Reishi, shiny ganoderma.
Hedgehog Hydnum, Lion’s Mane, Lion's mane.
Shiitakes, oak mushroom.
Nameko, Pholiota microspora.
Yellow oyster mushrooms, golden oyster mushrooms.
Eryngii, sea holly oyster mushrooms, Argouane, Berigoule, Girboulot, False bolete.
White, gray, blue oyster mushrooms, oyster-shaped oyster mushrooms, Pearl Oyster.
Lung oyster mushrooms, italian oyster.
Pink oyster mushrooms, salmon oyster mushrooms.
Rough ring Stropharia, wine-red Stropharia, Straw bolete, Saketsubatake.
