Anatomy and life cycle of a typical mushroom showing many features that are used to identify mushrooms. Mushrooms are organisms known as fungi. Unlike green plants, fungi cannot use sunlight to make food, but use other living organisms or dead organic matter for food and moisture. That is why it is important to return the forest floor to a condition similar to what existed prior to harvest. The mushroom is the fruiting part of the fungus, which produces millions of tiny spores that are spread by wind.
Some mushrooms receive their nourishment from living roots of nearby trees.
The fungus aids tree in obtaining food and water, and protects the tree from disease-causing organisms. In turn, the fungus obtains food it cannot manufacture itself. Trees and mushrooms rely on each other for survival. Other mushrooms receive their nourishment from decomposing logs, stumps, and other material that is found on the forest floor. This recycling process provides for soil productivity and creates habitat for numerous small animals.