two-colored bolete mushroom bruise

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"Spots are on them!" Yes! Some mushrooms have speckles, warts, or a polkadot appearance on the top of their cap. These pieces are remnants of what is called a Universal Veil. This veil is almost like a single-user wrapper over the mushroom that protects it as it grows. As the mushroom gets bigger and expands, it bursts through the veil, breaking it apart. The bits that were stuck to the cap remain as these speckles. Often, knowing if the mushroom has "veil remnants" can be a helpful tool in identifying a mushroom with your field guide. Not every mushroom has a veil, or will have leftover pieces of their veil!
There are a variety of ways to identify various mushroom families and genus. One of my favorite little groups of mushrooms are Boletes, mainly due to their dumpy, rotund, and often quite colorful appearances. They often grow around the base of a Pin Oak we explore, so it has been great fun getting to know them even more.
Forests are such incredible habitats. They support so much biodiversity, help us breathe (because you know, trees...), and provide so many resources. This October, over on my Patre0n, I'll be highlighting this incredible habitat, the animals that thrive in woodlands, and how to protect and enjoy the forest this fall! Read blog posts, get sh0p sale access, explore art, discover more of how the world works with natural science video tutorials, and even snag some themed sticker goodies! Head on over (🔗 in bio) and join the fun!
I love having butterflies, moths, fireflies, dragonflies, birds, and other cool critters in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, this can't happen if old leaves are removed. Leaves provide overwintering habitat for numerous insects (like those moths and butterflies!), which feed birds, amphibians, and other insects. A healthy plant and animal ecosystem absolutely needs those fallen leaves!
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