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 The term mushroom is usually applied to the umbrella like growths that appear in the late summer and early autumn, these are the fruit bodies of fungi. However not all fungal fruit bodies follow this configuration, many are of unusual and often bizarre appearance.
Whatever the shape, they all arise from organisms, that by reason of their mode of existence, are normally concealed from view, they exist within the media from which they extract their nourishment. Fungi extract nourishment from other organic organisms, that may be living, or dead, those taking sustenance from the living are referred to as parasites and those on dead material as saprophytes. There are those that begin life as parasites, and when the host is dead continue to exist as saprophytes. Honey fungus being an example.
Fruiting bodies are a means by which a fungus seeks to reproduce, dispensing spore material as opposed to seed. A single mushroom will release millions of spores, most of which will be lost. Those that survive and germinate, send out a single filamentous growth referred to as a Hypha, in order to survive the Hypha must unite with another of the opposite gender. Together they will grow into a many branched highly complex organism known as a Mycelium, the Mycelium is the fungus from which the fruit bodies arise.
Many fungi are symbiotic, living in unison with another live organism. Symbiosis is a state of affairs in which differing lifeforms unite into a mutually beneficial mode of existence. For example, a fungus and a tree. A fungus will envelop the fine feeding roots of a tree, and extract via the roots the nutrients it requires to sustain energy and growth, in return the fungus will insert into the roots enzymes and other nutrients, that are beneficial to the wellbeing of the tree.
The identification of fungi can be very difficult, the similarities of many species, even across genera, make identification impossible without resorting to microscopic inspection of spores and other material. This makes collecting a risky business, particularly for culinary purposes. Familiarity breeds contempt, so the saying goes, however it can also lead to easier identification. Not all species are difficult, once seen a couple of times many become readily recognizable. Illustrations in books can be helpful, but are not always reliable, a better means of learning, and more enjoyable by far, are the organized forays conducted by knowledgeable people, in and around our National and local Country parks. I suggest the safest method of gathering for the table, be via retail outlets, though not nearly as much fun.
Yours truly, in amicable companionship with another, has restricted forays to the taking of photographs, an enjoyable pastime enabling the putting together of a reasonable slide presentation of some of the more commonly encountered species, suited to my limited knowledge.
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