Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
LinkedInOh the weather outside is fungal - It’s like a mushroom jungle
Mushrooms are popping up all over California thanks to the wet rainy weather we have had across the state recently. They seem to magically appear overnight, like umbrellas on a sunny beach day. This fascinating occurrence doesn't actually happen overnight as it may seem, but they appear once moisture becomes available. Mushrooms expand rapidly by absorbing water from the surrounding soil and consequently ‘pop' out of the ground.
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus and come in myriad shapes, sizes and colors. They are typically the only part of a fungus that can be seen because the mass of the organism is located underground.
There are approximately 14,000 different classified species of mushrooms, here are a few of my favorites:
The next time you see mushrooms, consider what might be happening underground in your soil. For more information on mushrooms including identification and management, visit UC IPM online.
Enjoy the wet weather and the next time you find yourself excited over a new fungal find, here is a jingle to celebrate the season:
Let it Rain (sung to the tune of ‘Let it Snow')
by Ann King Filmer
Oh the weather outside is fungal
It's like a mushroom jungle
But since we've got much to gain
Let it rain! Let it rain! Let it rain!
Posted by Aubrey White on December 17, 2014 at 1:59 PM