When: Monday, July 13, 2026 12:00-2:00PM
Where: Gates Hall, Denver Botanic Gardens
What: The Agaricus of Colorado – James Chelin
Short description / summary
Most mushroom hunters know Agaricus as the group that includes the grocery store button mushroom and several excellent wild edibles, but recent DNA research has revealed that the genus is far more diverse than previously thought. This presentation will cover how to recognize and identify Colorado’s common Agaricus species using field characters, ecology, and simple identification techniques. We’ll also take a look at newly discovered species and what DNA sequencing is teaching us about the hidden diversity of Agaricus in Colorado and the southern Rocky Mountains.
Short Bio
James is a former president and current board member of the Pikes Peak Mycological Society who has been studying the mushrooms of Colorado since 2004. A longtime foray leader and mushroom identification expert, he serves as a volunteer community scientist focused on fungal taxonomy, biodiversity, and conservation. James was a member of the Colorado State Mushroom Committee that helped designate Agaricus julius as Colorado’s official state mushroom. Since 2022, he has led an ongoing DNA-supported effort to document the Agaricus species of Colorado and is currently coauthoring a monograph on the region’s Agaricus species.
Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84113035852?pwd=yXNHTb8LKemWYNngXQITD67O0j5ByH.1