Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grow in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are not plants and do not have roots, leaves, or flowers. Instead, they reproduce by releasing spores into the air. Some mushrooms grow on the ground, while others grow on trees, logs, or even on other mushrooms! They play a vital role in ecosystems by breaking down dead plant matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Did you know that the world's largest living organism is a giant fungus in Oregon that covers over 2,200 acres? Or that the world's oldest living mushroom is estimated to be over 2,400 years old? The more you learn about mushrooms, the more fascinating they become.