When we use herbs, our first question is often to ask what part of the herb we should use. We should also be asking the same question about mushroom supplements because the “mushrooms” we buy might not be mushrooms at all! There are a number of mushroom body parts, and the ones we see actually represent a small percentage of what makes up the whole organism. To demystify this, we need to understand the different parts of a mushroom, what they do, and which ones are best for us. Let’s investigate this together! The Parts of Mushroom Fungi Just as we can describe plants as consisting of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, so fungi have different body parts. And, as in plants, each of the main structures will consist of elements with specific descriptions. For example, most of us will have studied the structure of flowers in school and will know how these different components work together to produce seeds - a plant’s way of furthering its existence as a species. In most (but not all) fungi, the broad categorisation is relatively straightforward. There’s an above-ground spore-distributing structure called a sporophore. But, there’s also a hidden structure known as mycelium. We could compare this to plants by saying that the mushroom we see is the “flower” while the hidden parts of the fungus are comparable to roots and leaves since they feed the organism. But, this being nature, there are many different types of fruiting bodies and mycelia that grow and sustain themselves in different ways. What Are The Parts of a Mushroom and Their Functions? What are the parts of a mushroom? If we were to discuss a fungus as an organism, we’d spend a lot of time talking about mycelium: the mass of thread-like structures that most people never see. If we were to examine the sporophore, or mushroom, as a structure, we would look into all the different shapes they can adopt. Surprisingly few of these are typical mushrooms with a cap, stem, and gills as we’re looking at a group of organisms with over 5 million species. However, for the sake of simplicity, let’s consider what most people see as being a “typical” mushroom. It’s defined as a fruiting body, and it consists of a cap lined out with spore-distributing gills and supported by a stem. Both cap and gills occur in an amazing diversity of forms, and anyone who eats wild mushrooms will know that identifying the edible ones based on these structures is something of an art. To crown it all, we also need to consider the ring - a leftover piece of tissue that once veiled the budding cap. Moving down towards the base of the mushroom, we may see an additional structure: the volva. It is there because it once protected the young mushroom before it erupted in all its glory. But, it’s important to remember that not all mushrooms are “mushroom-shaped”. From regular “mushrooms” to plate fungi and more, there are many forms that fungal fruiting bodies may adopt. Mycelium vs Fruiting Bodies Just as there are herbs from which you might prefer to use the roots, leaves or flowers in order to enjoy their flavour and health-giving properties, mushrooms are useful depending on which parts you use. Many people make the mistake of thinking that mycelium is as good as the fruiting body. Fruiting bodies contain nutrients that aren’t found in the mycelium and are richer in important bio-active ingredients such as beta-glucan-rich polysaccharides and triterpenes. In addition, one of the chief benefits of fruiting bodies is their ability to serve as a source of Vitamin D. Mycelium, growing out of reach of sunlight cannot equal the properties of fruiting bodies that are exposed to the sun. Unfortunately, some shoppers have been led to believe that the benefits of functional mushrooms lie just in the species used and don’t realise that the fruiting bodies are the most valuable part of the mushrooms. Interested in Functional Mushroom Supplements? Here’s What to Look Out For If you’re interested in joining the millions of people around the world who are experiencing the benefits of mushroom supplements, there are a few things to look out for. Firstly, the company should be testing their products to demonstrate the levels of beta-glucans, as well as ensuring there are no contaminants. Secondly, they should specify only using fruiting bodies. Naturally, you’ll be interested in knowing whether they were organically grown too. At Grass & Co. we ensure that our natural mushroom supplements are pure and potent, and blended with complementary botanicals, vitamins and minerals that enhance the already-powerful nutritional benefits of the mushrooms’ fruiting bodies. And, just to make it easy for you to choose the right supplement, we’ve named them RELAX, FOCUS, DREAM, BIOME and POWER so that you’ll know which one is right for you. Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. More about functional mushrooms