What Are Fungi – and Where Do Mushrooms Fit In?
Are fungi plants? Are they animals? The answer is… neither.
Fungi belong to their own biological kingdom, separate from plants and animals. They can’t photosynthesise like plants, and they don’t “eat” like animals – but they do break down organic matter to feed themselves. This process makes them one of nature’s great recyclers, returning nutrients to the ecosystem so plants, animals, and even humans can thrive.
Are Mushrooms Fungi?
Yes – all mushrooms are part of the fungal kingdom. But not all fungi produce mushrooms.
A fungus starts life as a network of thin, thread-like structures called mycelium, which usually grows out of sight in soil, wood, or other organic matter. Under the right conditions, the mycelium produces mushrooms – also called “fruiting bodies” – whose role is to release spores, similar to how plants release seeds.
Mushrooms are only a small part of the whole organism. In fact, the largest living organism on Earth is a single underground fungal network in Oregon, stretching over 965 hectares – with just a scattering of mushrooms visible above ground.
The Many Types of Fungi
Fungi take many forms:
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Yeasts – used for baking, brewing, and fermentation.
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Moulds and mildews – found in nature and sometimes in our homes.
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Rusts and smuts – which can affect plants.
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Mushrooms – edible and inedible species with a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
They can also be grouped by how they get their nutrients:
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Saprophytic fungi feed on dead organic matter.
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Parasitic fungi take nutrients from living hosts.
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Symbiotic fungi live in mutually beneficial partnerships – such as lichen, a combination of fungi and algae.
Why Fungi Matter
Fungi have shaped human history in remarkable ways.
They’re essential for many traditional foods and drinks, from bread and beer to cheese. They’ve helped advance science – brewer’s yeast was key to breakthroughs in genetics – and even medicine, with discoveries like penicillin originating from fungi.
Not all fungi are edible, and some are toxic, but across more than 5 million species, they play an extraordinary range of roles in ecosystems and human life.
Functional Mushrooms
Some mushrooms are valued for their long history of use in traditional wellness practices. Known as “functional mushrooms,” these include:
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Lion’s Mane – historically associated with focus and mental clarity.
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Shiitake – widely enjoyed as a food and traditionally valued for vitality.
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Reishi – nicknamed the “mushroom of immortality” in some cultures.
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Maitake – traditionally linked with balance and resilience.
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Chaga – long used in certain regions as a wild-harvested brew.
Modern interest in these mushrooms is growing, and people enjoy them as part of a balanced lifestyle.
The Grass & Co. Approach
At Grass & Co., we create natural mushroom supplements using only the fruiting body – the part most associated with traditional use. Each blend is combined with complementary botanicals, vitamins, and minerals, then carefully named – FOCUS, RELAX, DREAM, BIOME, and POWER – to make it easy to find the one that fits your routine.
Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented are not intended for medical use, nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other wellness programme.