Most people are probably used to seeing mushrooms as they appear above ground, but the mycelium is what makes their growth possible.

When you encounter a mushroom on the forest floor it’s not “just” a mushroom. The mushroom itself is the fruitage of an underground organism. The majority of the organism lies below, in the form of “mycelium”; a mass of branching single-cell fungal strands which are individually called hyphae, (or sometimes shiro). The purpose of the mushroom, as the “fruit” of that fungus, is to allow the mycelium to disperse spores and thus replicate itself.

The single-cell hyphae draw moisture from the earth to “feed” or nourish the mushroom, while the mycelium extends below ground much like a tree’s roots do.

Mycelium look like thick white cobwebs. Sometimes they form sheaths around other plants in a mutualistic relationship. (Mutualism refers to a process which occurs when two or more organisms directly work together for their mutual benefit.)

Plants benefit since strands of mycelium are much smaller than their roots; the mycelium extend the plant’s own root system, allowing the plant to absorb water and nutrients more effectively. In turn the mushrooms benefit because it allows them to access the carbohydrates produced by the plants. Recent research suggests that these “relationships” are so important that many plant species would not thrive without them.

Mushrooms also play an important role in decomposition; helping break down dead vegetation.

More Info: www.nationalforests.org