Basidiomycota are a fungal phylum that produces its meiospores on spore-bearing structures (basidia). They comprise around 30,000 species, about 30% of all known fungal species. Phylogenetically, they are very likely the sister group of Ascomycota, also known as ascomycetes, and together they form the taxon Dikarya. Many mycorrhizal fungi belong to the basidiomycetes and form symbioses with plants. Most edible mushrooms also belong to this group.

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