Many Basidiomycota (club fungi) species are among the most familiar fungi. Basidiomycota include mushrooms, puffballs, and shelf fungi—some of which are edible, but most of which are inedible or even poisonous—as well as various microscopic plant pathogens, including rusts and smuts. Figure 30-12 shows a fine example of Agaricus augustus, a typical mushroom.

Begin by examining your mushroom specimen by naked eye and with the magnifier or a stereo microscope. Identify, name, and describe as many features as possible, including (if present) the stipe (stem) and any substructures present including the annulus or volva, the pileus (cap), and the lamellae (gills) present on the underside of the pileus. Record your observations in your lab notebook.