Links to Other Sites
I know, I know... to many people fungi are not nearly as interesting as the flowers, but because of the moisture around these mountains, there's a great abundance of these fascinating things. Plus, think of them this way: They comprise a greater biomass of the forest you walk thru. While these vegetation decomposers are at work underfoot (and mostly are depended upon by rooty plants directly), the visible parts we see of the molds and fungus and mushrooms are, like flowers, just the sexy parts. (There are some excellent fungal websites, too)
Since fungi identification is a tricky business, i'm going to break them down only by major category rather than by species. That way i can be sure i'm not making gross errors. See, i'm not very knowledgeable about these things.
Gilled Mushrooms - The general group when we think of mushrooms; please do not read this as 'grilled mushrooms.' Also, don't think of them as breathing underwater. It means that underneath their cap are slits that release their spores (seeds).
Boletes or Tube Mushrooms - You have to check underneath to be sure, because rather than gills, they are just peppered with tiny holes which contain the spores..
Brackets - Like they seem - shelf-like and generally more woody than fleshy.
Puffballs - Step on these round mushrooms for a good spore hit.
Chanterelles - Wavy edges and a bit more frilly.
Stinkhorns - Penis-looking things that sometimes attract flies - no comment.
Coral Fungi - Aquatic looking, like some branching coral.
Jelly Fungi - Not as gross as they look.
Unidentified Fungi - Things i just can't place.
NOTE: While it's true of any species on this website, it is ESPECIALLY true for fungi, that under no circumstances are these identifications to be used to determine which fungi are edible. Besides, if i told you that poison ivy made a great outdoor toilet-paper would you trust me to try it?
