'Mushrooms and toadstools' briefly describes the main work of this new Section, but it includes also lichens, moulds and mildews, etc. Fungi are now recognised as being totally unrelated to flowering plants and Jersey's fungal fauna is not at all well known. There is scope for much investigation and study. Meetings and forays are arranged for everyone interested regardless of how much or how little they know about mushrooms and toadstools.
Mycology (from the Greek μÏκης, meaning "fungus") is the study of fungi, their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy, and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals (e.g., penicillin), food (e.g., beer, wine, cheese, edible mushrooms) and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or infection. From mycology arose the field of phytopathology, the study of plant diseases, and the two disciplines remain closely related. A biologist who studies mycology is called a mycologist.