A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms – Wikipedia
Fungi (pronounce as fun-guy) or Mushrooms as known to most people come from a Latin word (singular: Fungus).
These little fellows reproduce by spores and the majority of the species are “parasites” that live on hosts. The spores upon finding their host develop microscopic thin “threads” known as hypha which will then form a network of hyphae known as mycelium.
Mycelium is white as we always see grow in radical rhizoid formation. Unlike green plants, they do not have chlorophyll, leaves, stems or roots hence they are unable to produce food of their own, they take in nutrients by secreting enzymes at the tip breaking down the complex molecules found in organic matter in the soil, into smaller molecules, which are then absorbed through the hyphal wall near the growing tip. The mycelium will continue to branch out towards food sources and upon the right conditions, fruiting bodies will be formed which then develop into mushrooms that we commonly see. Once they reached a certain height and maturity, the caps will be opened releasing spores from their gills back to the environment where the growth cycle goes on.