Mushroom spores: what is it, how the stench multiplies and their stagnation

One of the interesting products in our store's assortment is mushroom spores . Since there is a frequent misunderstanding about what "spores" are and what "fruiting bodies" (mature mushrooms) are, we decided to explain this in detail in our next article.

If you've ever picked mushrooms in the forest, you might have noticed something resembling a light haze rising from under the mushroom's cap when you bend over. This isn't actually smoke, but millions of microscopic spores—tiny cells that allow mushrooms to reproduce. Spores play a key role in mushroom development, similar to seeds in plants.

How do disputes arise?

Once the mushroom matures, its gills, tubes, or teeth beneath the cap begin to produce spores in large numbers—millions to billions. The cap serves as a kind of shelter, protecting them from external influences such as rain and sun. When the right moment arrives, the spores are released and carried to a new location by wind, insects, animals, or raindrops.

If a spore finds favorable conditions—sufficient moisture, warmth, and organic matter (such as decayed wood or organic-rich soil)—it germinates, forming mycelium. Mycelium is the underground part of the fungus, which looks like a network of fine threads and serves to absorb nutrients. It is from this mycelium that new, fertile mushrooms will eventually grow.

After a fungus releases its spores, it usually dies, completing its life cycle. Thus, the dispersal of spores is both the beginning of a new life and the end of the fungus's existence.

Where are mushroom spores found?

Spores are formed on the lower part of the mushroom cap – in special structures:

• Gills (under the cap of the mushroom. For example, in champignons, fly agarics, Psilocybe cubensis, Panaeolus)
• Tubes (in boletus and butter mushrooms)
• Teeth (in Hericia, toothed mushrooms)

When the spores mature, they detach and are dispersed by the wind. They are so small that they can travel long distances before settling on a surface.

Which mushrooms have spores?

All sexually reproducing fungi produce spores. Among the most well-known species are:

• Edible mushrooms: champignons, boletus, birch boletus, chanterelles, wrinkled mushrooms.
• Medicinal mushrooms: Hericium (Lion's Mane), Chaga, Variegated Polypore.
• Psychoactive mushrooms: Psilocybe cubensis, Panaleus cyanescens, Psilocybe semilaceata, and others. The spores of these mushrooms do not contain psychoactive substances and are legal in Ukraine (but only the spores; the fruiting bodies are prohibited because they produce the illegal substance psilocybin).

Each of these mushrooms has its own unique mechanism of spore dispersal and growing characteristics.

Spore prints: what are they and why are they needed?

Researchers, mycologists, and even artists use mushroom spores for a variety of purposes, from cultivation to decorative designs. One of the most popular methods of collecting spores is spore reflection.

How to make a spore print?

1. Select a mature mushroom (it’s better if it’s an edible or medicinal variety).
2. Separate the mushroom cap from the stem, keeping it clean.
3. Place the hat upside down on white or black paper, glass or foil.
4. Cover the mushroom with a glass or container to prevent the spores from spreading through the air.
5. After 6-12 hours, a spore print forms under the mushroom cap – a unique pattern similar to a fingerprint.

Scientists use these prints to identify mushroom species, as spores come in a variety of colors—from white and black to reddish-brown or purple. Spores can also be obtained from the prints for further mushroom cultivation.

Are mushroom spores legal in Ukraine?

The legality of mushroom spores in Ukraine depends on the type of mushroom:

• Spores of edible and medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, hericium, tinder fungi, champignons) are completely legal ; they can be freely grown and researched .
• Psilocybin mushroom spores do not contain psychoactive substances and are therefore not controlled under Ukrainian law. However, their use for cultivating psilocybin-containing mushrooms is illegal .
• While it is legal to examine spores without growing mushrooms , if your activities involve cultivating or obtaining fruiting bodies, you must check the current legislation and obtain the appropriate permits.

Conclusion

Mushroom spores are the primary means of reproduction for fungi, and they play a vital role in their natural life cycle. While cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms is permitted in Ukraine, psilocybin mushrooms are strictly prohibited. If you're interested in mushrooms, it's recommended to delve into mycology and use only legal research and cultivation methods.