My First Discoveries · Drawing 32 of 40
Fungi That Break Down Wood
The Living World
Some fungi break down dead wood. Their network of filaments helps return materials to the environment.
Did you know?
A fungus does not belong to the plant group.
Look together
What does the enlarged part inside the wood show?
An idea to try
Observe dead wood with an adult without picking mushrooms.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
The network, called mycelium, is greatly simplified and enlarged. Visible mushrooms do not show the entire organism. Not all fungi break down wood, and the image cannot identify an edible species.
Look together: What does the enlarged part inside the wood show? Observe dead wood with an adult without picking mushrooms.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Illustrations simplify shapes and sizes. Models and enlargements help observation; choose your own colours.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Fungi That Break Down WoodExplain how some fungi help decompose dead wood and recycle nutrients.
Source review: 2026-10-03. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
