Mushrooms are present all year but are particularly prevalent after the heavy rains characteristic of spring and fall. The rainy conditions this fall have produced a bumper crop of mushrooms and has gotten SHADOW staff excited about identifying and learning about these fruiting bodies that can be found both in the bog and forests of the nature preserve. There are many common or folk names of mushrooms, especially the edible ones, so we will include a few common names along with the Latin.
One fascinating specimen that can be readily observed this time of year is the Russula xerampelina the so-called shrimp russula or crab brittlegill. It earned these seafood themed names not only because of the vibrant color, but because as they age, they can give off a seafood-y smell! This mushroom is pink- purple and can grow to be quite large- around the size of a small hand. The most interesting thing about them is that their Latin name is very subject to change; the name was directly transferred from Europe to the US and it has yet to be DNA tested to confirm its exact profile.
If you want to learn more about identifying mushrooms of the PNW and specifically those at SHADOW, please join us for our Guided Nature Walk on November 10th, check our calendar in the upcoming weeks for details.
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