As autumn begins in earnest and the air on campus returns to a chill, mushrooms reawaken in droves. Growing in and around forest floors from late spring to fall, mushrooms have long been a common feature in culture, folklore, and the arts. With many of us huddled up inside, foraging for mushrooms offers a unique opportunity to spend quality time with friends and your local ecosystem. On any adventures you may go on, keep a lookout for one of the more unique mushrooms in the area: the Dryad’s Saddle, which grows close to the ground on stumps and the logs of dead trees. Another easily found mushroom for any mushroom seeker is the Shaggy Mane. This mushroom grows primarily in grassy spots, with its signature white tops, reminiscent of fur, appearing to exude ink on its cap. But be warned – with mushrooms and their sporadic appearances, it is recommended that you leave them alone.
The mushrooms photographed are believed to be the Giant Puffball, White Dapperling, Elm Mushroom, Dryad’s Saddle, and Shaggy Mane, based on amateur identification. It is not recommended to eat wild mushrooms without expert consultation, due to the risk of toxicity. Expert consultation is advised before consuming any wild mushrooms. Those who do may very well become their next home to grow on.
