09/12/2026
Finally! Recent rains and slightly cooler temperatures have triggered fruiting in a variety of fantastic fungi along the Interpretive Trails! While some varieties of fungus are edible, the majority are not. In fact, many species of fungi, including those pictured below, are poisonous for humans to consume! For your safety, as well as the safety of the fungi, picking mushrooms is not allowed on the Interpretive Trails.
Poisonous or not, fungi are an important part of a healthy forest ecosystem. They have an integral role in the carbon cycle, and spreading mycelium helps provide structure to soil. Some fungi, known as saprobes, tirelessly decompose dead organic matter like wood and leaves. Decaying these materials releases their nutrients into the soil for plants and other organisms to use.
Other types of fungi form more intimate nutrient-sharing connections, called mycorrhizae, with neighboring plants. In the mycorrhiza, a fungus can exchange water with the plant's roots, as well as important nutrients like phosphorous and metals that are often widely distributed in soil. In exchange, the fungus receives excess sugars produced by the plant. This partnership makes both organisms more resilient against droughts and other weather events, and allows both plant and fungus to reach more resources than they could individually.
As we get into the late summer and fall, you may see mysterious mushrooms more frequently along the trails! Many fungi fruit based on conditions that biologists do not fully understand, and mushrooms don't last long. That's part of what makes them such a special, exciting find! Check 'em out on your next walk, but please admire respectfully, so that everyone can enjoy them!
