September EcoQuest: Focusing on Fungi

This September, we're opening the EcoQuest to the entire kingdom of fungi! Fungi are an endlessly fascinating and mysterious kingdom. Mushrooms come in a glorious diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors—from the classic red-capped amanita to the bizarre bird’s nest fungi and alien-like earthstars.

Mycologists will say, “No fungi, no forests.” Fungi are crucial to the health of forests and many other habitats. As decomposers, fungi act as nature’s recyclers, breaking down dead plants and animals to return nutrients to the soil. They form symbiotic relationships with plants, with some plants even relying on fungi to germinate. Fungal mycelium connects plants underground, facilitating the transfer of water and nutrients across the forest floor.

Despite their vital roles in ecosystems, fungi are often overlooked and understudied. There are countless species yet to be described to science, and many ecological relationships waiting to be understood.

To contribute to our understanding of these fascinating organisms, let’s document Denver’s mushrooms on iNaturalist. Mushrooms, which are the fruiting body of the fungus, tend to pop up in the spring and fall, so September is a great time to make observations.

Here are some tips for capturing great mushroom photos:

Photograph from All Angles: Take pictures of mushrooms from above, below, and the sides. Getting a clear shot of the underside is crucial to see if it has gills, pores, or teeth, and to note their characteristics.
Observe and Note Characteristics: Pay attention to details like smell, texture, and color changes. Try marking the mushroom to see if it stains or changes color when bruised. Add these descriptions to your post!
Make a Spore Print: Remove the cap and place it gill-side down on a piece of paper, cover it with a glass, and let it sit for a day. The color of the spore print can be a key identifier. Upload a photo of the spore print alongside your other photos!

As you explore Colorado’s rich fungal diversity this fall, share your findings on iNaturalist. Your observations will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about these important and intriguing organisms.

Below are some common species to observe this month in Denver:
• dune stinkhorn (Phallus hadriani)
• shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus)
• shaggy parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes)
• meadow mushroom (Agaricus campestris)
• common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)
• fairy ring marasmius (Marasmius oreades)
• fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)
• Dyad’s saddle (Cerioporus squamosus)
• Salt-loving agaricus (Agaricus bernardii)

Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)
@fungalfireman