Agaricomycetes is a large and diverse class of fungi within the phylum Basidiomycota, primarily known for including most of the familiar mushroom-forming species. Members of this class are mostly saprotrophic, breaking down dead organic matter, though some are parasitic or form symbiotic relationships such as mycorrhizae with plants. They exhibit a wide range of fruiting body forms, from classic cap-and-stem mushrooms to brackets, puffballs, and coral-like structures. Agaricomycetes reproduce sexually through basidiospores produced on specialized cells called basidia, often arranged on gills, pores, or other surfaces. Ecologically, they play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and forest ecosystems, and economically, they are important for food, medicine, and biotechnology.