Fungi Springing Up
The mild seasons of the year—spring and autumn—have perfect climates for the growth and reproduction of fungi. Warm temperatures combined with lots of rain and humidity help fungi grow. There are many different kinds of fungi in the world but the best known is the mushroom. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus and come in many colors, such as brown, yellow, red, orange, green, purple and even blue! Fungi do very important things for the environment. Most break down rotting organic matter to recycle nutrients. Harmful fungi can attack and weaken living plants and animals and usually feed on the dead, rotting host. The woodlands of eastern North America are especially rich in fungi. Underground, fungi have large networks of tiny, stringy root-like parts, which help absorb nutrients and break down organic matter
Viewer Tip: The best time to look for fungi is in the late afternoon on a day following a rainstorm. This is because the fruiting bodies swell and burst through the ground after sucking up water like a sponge. The humidity and moist ground following a rainstorm also creates the best conditions for them to reproduce.
This information is provided by the Georgia Wildlife Federation. For more information, visit www.gwf.org.
