The
edible variety
The edible variety that is grown commercially has an average
height of about two to four inches and is topped by a fleshy
cap. A cap with a slightly pink underside and a top that is
either white or tinged with brown indicates that the mushroom is
ripe. A dark brown shade means that it is well past the ripe
stage. The stem of the mushroom is joined to the cap by a
membranous collar. The breaking of the collar to expose the
underlying gills is a sign of maturity. Mushrooms produce single
celled structures called spores. The spores are produced in the
gills of the mushrooms. These spores are dispersed by wind and
if they fall on soil that is conducive for growth, they
germinate and grow.
Growing Mushrooms
The site chosen for commercial cultivation of mushrooms is a cave or dark
cellar, where the humidity and temperature are conducive for
mushroom cultivation. But with an increasing urban |
 |
|
lifestyle access to such places is limited, so
special rooms with humidity and temperature-controlled
conditions are used for the purpose. Special beds with rotting
manure, chemically treated straw and soil are prepared for
planting the mushrooms. The mycelium – the vegetative portion of
the mushroom, is used for planting. Adequate precautions need to
be taken for the prevention of infestation by insects and fungi.
In a few weeks one can see the mushrooms raising their heads,
and once ready they are harvested and transported to the market.
|
The dangerous ones
Of the thousand identified varieties nearly two hundred varieties
are poisonous. Extremely poisonous varieties like amanitas contain
toxins that can deal a deadly blow to the central nervous system if
ingested. Some physical symptoms of poisoning are severe abdominal
cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Many mushrooms are avoided
because of the disagreeable odor that they emit. And some others
are avoided because of their resemblance to poisonous mushrooms,
even though they may be non-poisonous.
Satan’s mushroom
Some interesting common names of different varieties of mushrooms
are emetic mushrooms, Satan’s mushrooms, giant puffballs, king
boletus, jack-o-lantern, sulfur mushroom and shaggy mane mushroom,
to name a few. |
