Many fungi decompose dead organic matter such as leaves, wood, feces, etc. No other organisms can efficiently do this. Fungi cause most diseases of insects, as well as many diseases of trees and other plants. Some fungi have evolved to take advantage of multiple food sources. Instead of seeds, fungi produce spores .
Most mushrooms are Basidiomycetes .
It is estimated that there are at least 10,000 species in North America alone. Most of the common, attractive mushrooms are known to be either edible or toxic. Still, one MUST be careful. With most mushrooms, a very important character to consider is the spore print color . Though spores are microscopic, mushrooms produce millions of them.