On Saturday, Aug. 3, Northern Arizona University mycologist Erik Nelson lead a fungi talk and hike, “Mushroom Madness!” at the Highlands Center for Natural History, in Prescott.
In case you missed it, here are a few factoids, photos, and videos:
Fungi are the fruiting, reproductive bodies of mycorrhizae.
More than 2,000 species of trees have a symbiotic relationship with fungi and their ilk.
The vast majority of herbaceous plants — some 300,000 species — have a similar relationship with mycorrhizae, though not necessarily mushrooms.
Practically all uncooked mushrooms are probably at least mildly carcinogenic. Yes, that includes the ones at the salad bar.
In many cases, cap color is one of the least reliable mushroom identification features.
In Arizona, Shaggy Manes (Coprinus comatus), Lobster Mushrooms (Hypomyces lactiflorum), Aspen Boletes (Leccinum insigne), and Common Puffballs (Lycoperdon perlatum) are among the easiest edible mushrooms to identify. Regardless, further reading and trained help is recommended before hunting, identifying, and consuming wild mushrooms.
Read more online at Erik Nelson’s website, TaneLorn.Us.
Tags: Aspen Boletes, Common Puffballs, Erik Nelson, fungi, Highlands Center for Natural History, Highlands Center for Outdoor Outings, Lobster Mushrooms, Mushroom Madness!, mushrooms, mycorrhizae, Shaggy Manes