A free, self-paced textbook in 7 chapters. Read a chapter, then drill it with the 204 companion flashcards using spaced repetition.
Mycology is the scientific study of fungi, a vast kingdom of organisms that includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. Fungi belong to the domain Eukarya, meaning their cells contain n...
The body of a fungus is usually hidden from view. The main vegetative part is the mycelium, a tangled web of fine, thread-like filaments called hyphae that grow through soil, wood,...
Fungi are divided into several major phyla, with Ascomycota and Basidiomycota being the most familiar to foragers. Basidiomycota contains most of the classic mushrooms, including g...
Fungi are woven into nearly every terrestrial ecosystem. About 90 percent of land plants form mycorrhizal partnerships, symbiotic associations between plant roots and fungal hyphae...
Foraging for wild mushrooms is rewarding but unforgiving of mistakes, because some species are deadly even in small amounts. The most notorious is Amanita phalloides, the death cap...
Humans have long harnessed fungi for food, drink, and medicine. Cultivating mushrooms at home or commercially starts with understanding the fungal lifecycle. Spores germinate into...
Modern mycology extends far beyond foraging and food. Some mushrooms contain psychoactive compounds that are reshaping mental-health research. Psilocybin, found mainly in Psilocybe...