Happy Hunting Tip By Karen Ryan It’s time to gather your hunting/guides and id keys. Unlike plants, mushrooms and other fungi don’t produce their food from sunlight. Instead, they feed off the nutrients in other organisms. Fungi release enzymes that break down material, then they consume the nutrition. Many species grow mutually beneficial relationships with certain kinds of trees. For example, some mushrooms live only under pines and spruce. Easy to spot a pine or spruce. OR is it? Some mushrooms host on the roots of a particular Conifer, or perhaps a narrow leaf as opposed to a broadleaf Cottonwood. Knowing which trees of the Rockies are host to fungi is extremely helpful. Other plants and mushrooms in the area that could be clues for the whereabouts of a particular mushroom. In one of my guides there is reference to the Pasque flower being a clue that Boletes are nearby. Over the weekend I was in Boletes Rubiceps habitat on Berthoud pass. Although cooler, the Pasque flowers were just blooming, although dry in that area. Field guides and books help you to learn whether a species is a sun worshipper or prefers the shaded woods. The next time you are enjoying the CMS monthly meeting. Ask other members which books and guides they prefer, then take a minute to check out the literature offered at a discounted price at the literature table. Find a spot in your backpack to bring it along on your next outing. Knowledge-Knowledge! Oops, almost forgot. Moisture produces insects that fly and bite. A bug repellent as always a good idea. Share this:FacebookX Related