Agaricomycetes - Агарикомицеты - Gilled Fungi - Blätterpilze 9/22/07—10/13/24
Agaricales is an order of fungi that includes the gilled mushrooms, as well as several other types of fungi with diverse morphologies and lifestyles. This order is one of the largest and most diverse groups of fungi, with over 13,000 described species.
The fruiting body of Agaricales is typically a mushroom or toadstool, which is composed of a stalk, cap, and gills on the underside of the cap. These structures are used to release spores, which are typically dispersed by wind or rain. The spores of Agaricales are produced in basidia, which are elongated cells that contain four spores each.
Agaricales fungi have a wide range of lifestyles, including saprobic, mycorrhizal, and parasitic. Some species are important decomposers in forest ecosystems, breaking down dead wood and returning nutrients to the soil. Others form mutualistic relationships with the roots of trees, exchanging nutrients for carbon in a process known as mycorrhizal symbiosis. Some species are also pathogenic, infecting living trees and causing damage to the host plant.
This order includes many highly prized edible and medicinal fungi, including species in the genera Agaricus, Lepiota, and Pleurotus. Some of these fungi are also used in traditional medicine, where they are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumor properties.
Agaricales fungi are widely distributed and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. They are most commonly found in temperate regions, but can also be found in tropical and arctic regions.
In conclusion, Agaricales is a diverse and important order of fungi. Its members include some of the most prized edible and medicinal fungi, as well as important decomposers and mycorrhizal partners in forest ecosystems. The wide range of lifestyles and habitats of these fungi make them an important and fascinating group for scientific study.