As Autumn leaves fall, and the cooler weather creeps up on us, many of you may be forgiven for thinking that the action-packed splurge of growth in the World around us is winding down, however, in some parts, things are just getting interesting.
Under our feet is a giant network of interconnected tiny threads, burrowed into, or wrapped around the roots of plants and trees, working together to share nutrients, water, carbon and nitrogen between plants across the planet. The Mycorrhizal network made up of the roots and the mycelium that connects them, thrive in the cooler, wetter conditions of late autumn, thru winter and into spring. The shorter days, cooler evenings and low soil temperature all combine to create ideal conditions for the fruit of the mycelium network to start popping up;
Mushrooms!
A stroll through your local park, or even an adventure to your nearest National Park, at this time of year can be a really thrilling experience, especially if you pay close attention to what’s right at your feet.
The most important thing to remember is to treat every mushroom you see, as though it is toxic. Of the hundreds of different species of mushrooms there are in the world, only a handful of mushrooms are non toxic, and of those, only a few are enjoyable to eat. Tread lightly, as the forest floors they enjoy, are often made of layers of decomposing leaf litter, and are easily disturbed. Stick to paths where possible, and avoid touching the mushrooms, despite how enticingly bright and colourful they seem.
During a recent trip to the Old Growth Forests of Warburton and surrounds, we were able to spot these spectacular species…