Fungus Among Us July 25, 2009

Did you know that hundreds of species of mushrooms grow within a ten-mile radius of Arcadia, throughout the year? Did you know that there is a mushroom that grows in our area that is inedible, yet has for centuries been revered for its medicinal properties by the Chinese, who call it "The King of Health Foods"? A few local species are delectable edibles, many more are less so, some will make you sick if you eat them, and few will even kill you. They can vary in size from a fraction of a gram to over 25 pounds, and exhibit a dazzling spectrum of colors and forms. They are an indispensable ally to some of our trees and other plants and play key roles in terrestrial ecosystems. The Japanese call another species "The Dancing Mushroom" and celebrate its arrival with festivals. In this workshop, you will gain insight into the identification process and see firsthand what's to be found on a walk in some local woods with wild mushroom enthusiast Marty Klein.