Story: Fungi

Types of fungus – mushrooms (1st of 6)

Types of fungus – mushrooms

Mushrooms are the spore-producing structures of some fungi. A mushroom consists of a stalk and a cap, and in most species the spores are formed on gills. When ripe, the spores fall downwards and are carried away from the mushroom on air currents. A spore that lands on a moist surface with nutrients can form a new fungal colony, but must mate with another colony of the same species before a new mushroom can be produced.

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Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua
Photograph by Peter Buchanan

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How to cite this page:

Peter Buchanan, 'Fungi - New Zealand fungi', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11548/types-of-fungus-mushrooms (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Peter Buchanan, published 24 Sep 2007