Question

An example of edible fungus is
A. Rhizopus
B. Mucor
C. Agaricus
D. Polyporus

Answer 1

Hint: Edible fungus is of several species of macrofungi, as the name suggests whose fruits are seen with naked eyes. Fleshy bodies of fungi are edible and can grow below or above the ground. The edibility is checked by assessing the poisonous effects of fungi on humans. The edible fungi must not harm after consumption and should have good taste as well as the aroma. Edible mushrooms are the most commonly consumed fungus as they have high nutritional and culinary value.

Complete answer:
 Edible mushrooms have many edible species that are cultivated or grown wild. Agaricus is an edible fungus of the mushroom genus and has both edible and poisonous species. Agaricus is a widely consumed fungus with over 300 members around the globe. The most commonly consumed and popular variety of Agaricus is Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris. Agaricus bisporus is a popular edible mushroom market in North America and Europe. It is commonly known as button mushroom and a fully mature form is called portobello. It turns brown and small as it ages. Other edible wild species of Agaricus are Agaricus arvensis and Agaricus silvaticus and they are called horse mushroom and pinewood mushroom respectively.

Hence, The correct answer is option (C).

Note: There are some mushrooms of the genus Agaricus which are not edible as they are poisonous for human health like Agaricus xanthodermus. Therefore, mushrooms are safely cultivated by assessing their quality and safety for human consumption. These mushrooms if consumed without precaution can cause food poisoning. Other options listed above like Rhizopus, Mucor, and Polysporin are not edible and unfit for human consumption.