Home>Study Guide>Fact Sheet

Background on Club and Coral Fungi.

Major points

• Fungal diversity.
• Derive nutrition from being decomposition, parasitism or as mutualists (partners with trees).
• Importance of correctly identifying mushrooms and being careful the first time you eat them. One species is among the best edible fungi, some species are slightly poisonous for some people and not others, and at least one is poisonous for all.
• Same problem of spore dispersal, different solution. Spores produced on smooth or wrinkled upper surface of branches or clubs instead of under a cap on gills. Despite a different structure the fruiting body serves to elevate spore producing tissues thereby increasing chance of large distance dispersal just like mushrooms.

Exercises/Questions

Why are club and coral fungi basidiomycetes (club fungi ) ?

Compare coral fungi to other kinds of mushrooms, e.g., earth stars, jelly fungi, morels or shelf fungi.

• structure of mushroom
• spore dispersal
• special adaptations
• nutrition
• use, e.g., edibility, chemical production, biocontrol.

What does the food gathering body of a coral fungus look like? hint: mycelium

BACK
Last update: 15 Nov 06