two-colored bolete mushroom bruise

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The colors of trees are so meaningful - each pigment plays a special role in plant health! On October 24th (10am), at @jagardens , dive into the science of plant colors through hands-on observation and exploration where participants (ages 4+) will get to take home their very own flower and tree leaf pounding project.
"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!
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