What are mushrooms, exactly? Mushrooms are fungi that release spores, which are comparable to pollen or seeds and allow them to spread or travel by wind. The remainder of the mushroom grows and lives in soil or wood. Mushrooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some of which are edible, including well-known species like button, oyster, porcini, and chanterelle. Many, however, are not edible and, if consumed, can cause stomach aches, vomiting, and, in some cases, death, such as the popu...