Is a mushroom a plant?: No, it is a fungus What is the kingdom of mushrooms, molds and yeasts?: Fungi Can fungi make their own food from sunlight?: No, they absorb food from what they grow on What is the mushroom you see above ground?: The fruiting body, like an apple on a tree What is mycelium?: The web of thin threads that is the main body of a fungus What are spores?: Tiny cells that fungi release to make new fungi What is the cap?: The top part of a mushroom What are gills?: Thin plates under the cap that hold spores What is the stipe?: The stem of a mushroom Where do many mushrooms grow?: On damp ground, rotting logs and leaves What is a decomposer?: A living thing that breaks down dead plants and animals Why are fungi helpful to forests?: They break down dead wood and return nutrients to the soil Should you ever eat a wild mushroom you find?: No, unless an expert has identified it Can you tell if a mushroom is safe by how it looks?: No, some poisonous ones look like edible ones What should you do if you see a wild mushroom?: Look and take a photo, but don't touch it with a bare hand or taste it What should you do after touching wild mushrooms?: Wash your hands Which grown-up can check mushrooms?: A trained expert, such as a mycologist What is a mycologist?: A scientist who studies fungi Is there a rule to tell poisonous from safe?: No simple rule works; never rely on tricks What if a pet or small child eats a wild mushroom?: Call a grown-up and poison control right away What is the poison control number in the US?: 1-800-222-1222 Are all mushrooms in the grocery store safe?: Store-bought ones sold for food are grown to be safe Button mushroom: The common white mushroom sold in stores Portobello: A large brown mushroom grown for food Shiitake: A mushroom grown for food in Asia and elsewhere Oyster mushroom: A soft, shell-shaped mushroom grown for food Truffle: A rare fungus that grows underground and is very costly Puffball: A round fungus that puffs out clouds of spores Fly agaric: A red cap with white spots in many fairy tales; it is poisonous Death cap: A deadly mushroom; never touch or taste wild mushrooms Shelf fungus: A fungus that grows out of trees like a shelf Fairy ring: A circle of mushrooms in a lawn Yeast: A tiny fungus that makes bread rise Mold: A fuzzy fungus that grows on old food Should you eat moldy food?: No, throw it away Penicillin: A medicine first found from a mold Athlete's foot: A skin problem caused by a fungus Lichen: A partnership between a fungus and algae Largest living thing by area?: A honey fungus in Oregon's Blue Mountains, mostly underground Bioluminescent mushrooms: Some mushrooms glow in the dark Do mushrooms need light to grow?: No, many grow in the dark Do mushrooms have seeds?: No, they have spores Are mushrooms animals?: No, they are in a kingdom of their own Which is closer to animals, a mushroom or a plant?: Fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants Why do mushrooms pop up after rain?: They like moisture Why do some mushrooms have bright colors?: Colors can be a warning, but never trust color to decide if it is safe Are mushrooms healthy to eat?: Cooked store-bought mushrooms have vitamins and minerals Is it okay to pick mushrooms in a park?: Better to leave them for the forest and animals Who eats mushrooms in nature?: Squirrels, deer, snails and insects eat some kinds What is a field guide?: A book that helps identify plants, animals or fungi Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/fun-mushroom-safety