Glocester Land Trust Steere Hill Property

The Glocester Land Trust’s Streere Hill property has been among the favorite locations for our group. A walk on any of the miles of trail here provides a nice variety of mature trees, diverse understory plants, elevation changes, fields, wetlands, and stone features. The Rhode Island Mycological Society visited this location on Dec. 6th. The high for the day was 55 °F.

Despite a few folks belief that “mushroom season” has ended, many fungal fruitings can be found in December. Some mushrooms even prefer the cold. Just as certain plants bloom in the spring, and others bloom only in the fall; fungi also have their seasons. Like other larger “more charismatic” species knowing where to look for them, is the key to finding them.

In the winter many fungi find refuge underneath logs, where they are protected from wind and shaded from direct sunlight. .Snow can act as a blanket, insulating and keeping in moisture. Producing a large fleshy cap and stem is not very efficient during a time of dry cold weather. The winter fungi are often smaller and less obvious. Some are almost camouflaged by growing in flat(resupinate) forms across fallen logs.

It is important to remember when we are exploring outdoor spaces we are visiting the homes and neighborhoods of many living things. Take care to stay on paths, because walking over small plants causes harm and compacts soils. We should always do our best to minimize our impact and stress on the environment. When moving something for study, like a branch or a log, always put it back the way it was found.

This winter we hope you will bundle up and spend some time exploring the outdoors. Winter fungi are fun to find, and like the vast majority of Kingdom Fungi they remain greatly under studied and under documented. Scientists need the help of as many people as possible, in as many unique locations as possible, to collect data about the fungi they find. Especially, in the winter. This can be as simple as taking a few pictures with your cell phone and sharing them online. You can join our iNatualist project by clicking here ! If you are interested in learning more about fungi, or how you can help, send us a message! #teamfungi

More information and resources also available by visiting The Fungal Diversity Survey or The Fungi Foundation.