Why is the mushroom called symbiosis?

Fungi have several symbiotic relationships with other organisms. In reciprocity, both organisms benefit from the relationship. Two common mutually exclusive relationships with fungi are mycorrhiza and lichen.

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic relationship between fungus and plants. The fungus grows in or on the roots of plants. The fungus enjoys easy access to the food produced by the plant.

Lichen is an organism that is the result of the relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism. The other organism is usually cyanobacteria or green algae. The fungus grows around bacterial or algal cells. The fungus relies on constant food produced by the photosynthesizer.