Presented by Patrick Leacock, PhD, IMA Club Scientific Advisor

Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7:30 PM CT

This presentation will be held on Zoom. Link will be emailed to members in advance.

This informal presentation will start with a look at the 30 years of compiled data for observations and collections from Field Museum research and IMA field trips, 1994 to 2023. Patrick will dig into this Chicago Region archive of 60,000 records to see the most common species, edible, poisonous, or otherwise. Why are the dozen most recorded species wood rotters? How many of our species are rare [half of them?] or what does rare mean in regards to ephemeral mushrooms? What are some mushrooms we should be on watch for this year? We’ll have time for discussion and Q&A. Also, should we suffer name changes gladly?

Patrick is a mycologist documenting the mushrooms of the Upper Midwest with collections going to the Field Museum of Natural History. He teaches botany and mycology at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He assists on forays as a scientific advisor for the IMA. He started his mushroom activities with the Minnesota Mycological Society before moving to Chicago. Patrick is also active with the Wisconsin Mycological Society and the North American Mycological Association.