The Illinois Mycological Association is a group of fungal enthusiasts that meets frequently to learn about fungi through talks presented by experts, and to look for, identify and document wild fungi. We host monthly meetings with invited speakers, mycologist-led surveys to gather and document fungi, and an annual show at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
We welcome you to attend and learn more about fungi and the wild mushrooms of Illinois and the Chicago region.
January Mushroom of the Month: Flammulina velutipes
Flammulina velutipes, also known as Winter Mushroom, Velvet Stalk, and Enokitaki is the same stuff as Enoki--those beautiful little tall, white, skinny mushrooms you see in some Asian soups and other dishes. The restaurant type looks so different and is white because they're cultivated without sun which also forces the mushrooms to devote their energy on developing those long, thin roots. These mushies can withstand frost and colder weather (hence the common name of Winter Mushroom) and are one of the most commonly confused in the wild with the deadly, toxic Galerina marginata.
Photo by IMA Survey Chair Liz Weinstein
Join your local mushroom club
Video by the Illinois Mycological Association.
Speakers: Patrick Leacock, Tom Volk, and Britt Bunyard.
Video created by James Strzelinski, Spiel.
Members of the Illinois Mycological Association post their mushroom photos to iNaturalist to record fungal diversity for the Chicago Region. Mycologist Patrick Leacock reviews a selection of recent observations organized by his Top Ten Lists of most common macro-fungi.
