If you were a bug, what type of mushroom would you like to live in, on, or under? You’re never too old to use your imagination! We loved this impromptu moment from an outing last year where Paul Stamets and his colleague visualize what it would be like to be a bug living in between the pink gills of Pluteus cervinus, the Deer Mushroom. Paul Stamets is member, founder, owner, and “Chief Science Officer” of Fungi Perfecti, LLC - makers of Host Defense Mushrooms. #mushroom #deermushroom #mycology #paulstamets #foraging #mushroomforaging #imagination #abugslife

Fungi play a vital role in supporting ecosystem health and biodiversity. The more biodiverse an ecosystem is, the better off we all are. For example, soil biodiversity is directly related to habitat health. Fungi help to create soils that sustain life. Through the decomposition process, the mycelial networks cycle nutrients through the food chain, benefitting soils, and providing a way for the surrounding plants and animals to flourish. When we appreciate the biodiversity of nature, we see that everything is interconnected, and fungi are the molecular bridges that support those connections. Paul Stamets is member, founder, owner, and “Chief Science Officer” of Fungi Perfecti, LLC - makers of Host Defense Mushrooms. #fungiperfecti #mycelialnetwork #mycelium #fungi #funga #biodiversity #biodiversityisbiosecurity

Jacq from the Fungi Perfecti R&D Team identifies a “happy, little Ganoderma applanatum.” This species often gets mistaken for an Agarikon species. #researchanddevelopment #mycology #mushtok #mushroom #scienceisfun #mushrooms #ganoderma #ganodermaapplanatum

From the learned experiences of our ancestors, to the information obtained through modern scientific research, we are in a unique position to benefit from the culmination of centuries of knowledge of the fungal kingdom. Modern-day mushroom enthusiasts can benefit from the lessons learned and passed on by our ancestors, letting us know which mushrooms are edible, and - importantly - which are poisonous. Today, we have the luxury of taking a reputable mushroom identification guide every time you we go out! Paul Stamets is member, founder, owner, and “Chief Science Officer” of Fungi Perfecti, LLC - makers of Host Defense Mushrooms. #foraging #paulstamets #mushroomeducation #polypores #mushtok

Were you able to select the correct Latin binomial for Maitake? Tell us how you did in the comments. #mushroomeducation #maitake #latinbinomials #scientificname #mycology