What are fungi?       

Although the term "fungus" (plural: fungi) has at least some meaning to the average person, few people know very much about these widely distributed, ecologically very important, and exceedingly common organisms. Fungi are abundant in nature, but they are mostly invisible to the naked eye, usually underappreciated, and sometimes misunderstood. Only some of the larger fungi (referred to as macrofungi) can be seen with the naked eye, and these are the most familiar examples of the group. However, their sudden appearance and disappearance, their frequent association with decaying organic matter, their vivid colors, fantastic shapes, and in some instances their poisonous properties or delicious taste, often cause such fungi to be regarded as objects of mystery and sometimes even to be associated with the supernatural. Actually, fungi are among the most important inhabitants of the natural world.