The Latin word for mushroom is fungus, although the term fungus applies to many kinds of plants such as molds, mildews, rusts, smuts, truffles, and yeast. To be considered a fungi, the plant must not contain chlorophyll and lack such complex plant structures as roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Because they lack chlorophyll, fungi cannot make its own food as other plants do. They get its food from plants or animals. Usually fungi take a scavenger approach to this, and grows on dead plants. Fungi have been found throughout the world, even in places like Antarctica, but is most common in temperate rain forests.

Fungi grow best in forests with many dead plants.