Pileus (hat)

A pileus, which is also known as a hat, is a special part of a mushroom. Just like how we have a head on top of our body, mushrooms have a cap or a pileus on top of their stem.

The pileus or the hat is usually round or oval-shaped and sits on top of the stem like a lid or a cover. The pileus is the part of the mushroom that we can see from the top, and it can be of different colors, shapes, and sizes depending on the type of mushroom.

The pileus or hat of the mushroom is very important as it plays a vital role in reproduction. It contains the spores, which are like tiny seeds that can grow into new mushrooms. When the spores are mature, they are released from the underside of the pileus and are carried by the wind or animals to new places, where they can grow into new mushrooms.

So, next time you see a mushroom, try to notice the pileus or hat on top of its stem, and remember that it is an important part of the mushroom's lifecycle.