On April 6th, Joan Heyding and Lynn Ovenden showed photos and passed around dried specimens of polypore fungi.

We looked at characters such as the size and shape of the fruiting body and its pores, which are useful for telling species apart. We told stories about woodpeckers and some insects who live intimately with wood rot… beetles, fungus gnats and fungus moths. We moaned a bit about keeping up with current taxonomy when we identify specimens using older field guides. There were lots of questions and enthusiasm for resources and outings to learn more.  Stay tuned for more fungi events as the weather gets warmer!

Feature photo of Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) by Joan Heyding.