While they were once classified with plants, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart:

* Cell walls: Fungi have cell walls made of chitin, unlike plants, which have cell walls made of cellulose.

* Nutrition: Fungi are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain their nutrients from organic sources, while plants are autotrophs, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis.

* Reproduction: Fungi reproduce using spores, while plants typically reproduce through seeds or flowers.

So, fungi have their own unique kingdom and are not classified as plants or animals.