Audio By Carbonatix
Various forms of fungus grow in Colorado from the time the snow melts (melting snow creates an ideal environment for certain species) into late fall — which is why Colorado is home to so many mycologists. These mushroom biologists will gather at the 37th annual Colorado Mycological Society Wild Mushroom Fair today at the Denver Botanic Gardens to give talks, identify mushrooms and teach the public about this weird and wonderful life form.
“When you walk into that hall at the Botanic Gardens,” says Karen Ryan, chairwoman for the fair, “you’ll never have dreamed that there could be so many ways to look at mushrooms and that the fungi world could be so vast.
“All week before the fair,” she continues, “we’re collecting mushrooms and bringing all these species in, and for two days, we have mycologists come in and identify and DNA-test, doing all of these wonderful things to hopefully find a new species, something new that’s come into Colorado that’s never been recorded here before.”
There will also be displays on how to identify edible mushrooms, a kids’ corner, cultivation displays and demonstrations, a culinary area, crafts and more. The fair runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the DBG, 1007 York Street; entry is free with regular Gardens admission. Visit botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3501 for information. Oh, and you’re also invited to bring in any fungus species you find for identification.
Sun., Aug. 17, 12-5 p.m., 2014
