A resident of the Westbury, NY, area, Valerie Varnuska maintains a wide range of interests. Passionate about the arts and nature, Valerie Varnuska loves spending time outdoors and enjoying the natural wonders. Mushrooms are one of nature’s most commonly overlooked benefactors. These organisms are extremely diverse and hold several different roles in natural functions. However, they cannot synthesize their own food from sunlight like plants can. This is because mushrooms lack chlorophyll. Instead, they derive their energy from other sources, like decaying organic matter. Species that get energy by breaking down organic matter are known as saprophytes. Most species that grow on rotting wood or lawns are saprophytes. These types of mushrooms get their energy from decomposition, digesting the decaying organic matter that is around them while simultaneously feeding themselves and returning important nutrients to the soil. There are also symbiotic mushrooms that grow on the forest floor near the roots of trees. The mushrooms and trees exchange nutrients via mycorrhiza and provide one another with nutrients that they cannot extract or synthesize on their own. Generally, the trees provide symbiotic mushrooms with sugar compounds, while the mushrooms share water and minerals extracted from the soil. It’s important to note that some mushrooms are parasitic. In most cases, these species are microscopic, but they will either attack a healthy host or hasten the death of an unhealthy one.

1. Valerie Varnuska

2. A resident of the Westbury, NY, area, Valerie Varnuska maintains a wide range
of interests. Passionate about the arts and nature, Valerie Varnuska loves
spending time outdoors and enjoying the natural wonders.

3. Mushrooms are one of nature’s most commonly overlooked benefactors. These
organisms are extremely diverse and hold several different roles in natural
functions. However, they cannot synthesize their own food from sunlight like
plants can. This is because mushrooms lack chlorophyll. Instead, they derive
their energy from other sources, like decaying organic matter.

4. Species that get energy by breaking down organic matter are known as
saprophytes. Most species that grow on rotting wood or lawns are saprophytes.
These types of mushrooms get their energy from decomposition, digesting the
decaying organic matter that is around them while simultaneously feeding
themselves and returning important nutrients to the soil.

5. There are also symbiotic mushrooms that grow on the forest floor near the roots
of trees. The mushrooms and trees exchange nutrients via mycorrhiza and
provide one another with nutrients that they cannot extract or synthesize on
their own. Generally, the trees provide symbiotic mushrooms with sugar
compounds, while the mushrooms share water and minerals extracted from the
soil.

6. It’s important to note that some mushrooms are parasitic. In most cases, these
species are microscopic, but they will either attack a healthy host or hasten the
death of an unhealthy one.