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.
April Mushroom of the Month: Morchella angusticeps, AKA Black Morel
Morchella angusticeps, commonly known as the Black Morel, is the less common counterparts to our local Yellow Morel, or Morchella americana. Note how opposite of the Yellow Morel, these have lighter colored pockets with dark colored ridges. Also, note how the pits are primarily vertically oriented. These beautiful mushrooms can be found east of the Rockies from March through May and love living beneath hardwoods like ash and tulip trees.
Photo and text by IMA President 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.
