Mushroom land

It is ‘shroom season and these fleshy, colorful wonders are popping up all over. There are more than 2,500 species of mushrooms in Michigan but only 100 are considered edible and non-toxic.

Much is still unknown about thousands of mushroom types so, unless you are a verified identification expert, picking wild mushrooms is not advised for your own safety.

The abundance of certain mushroom species can be used as an indicator of forest health. The presence of mushrooms tells us that these are uncommon habitats with a rich diversity of living things, some not so easily observed.

I’ve always enjoyed the colors and variety of mushrooms. Some look like toadstools, and others like a nose protruding from the ground. They pop up in the most unexpected places, poking through the mossy ground or clinging to stones or chimneys.

Some mushrooms arrive in spring, including the popular morels, but most of the colorful varieties show in autumn.

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Some photos courtesy Heather Norris Combs.