Super Cool Field Trip

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• Discuss at least 2 organisms (fungi, plant, animal) that you saw on the fungi field trip. Tell us at least one thing you learned about that organism.

Mahonia nervosa: This plant is found in the Northwest and is adaptable to harsh growing conditions.

There was a certain mushroom (not sure what it was called) that Ghazal spotted and notified the instructor (forgot her name) and she jokingly said it is probably not safe to eat that. Based off what she said, I learned that that mushroom is poisonous.

• Did you learn something about fungi or plants that surprised you?

I was really surprised by how large the mycelia network was. The instructor (forgot her name) said it was probably as big as the entire park which I thought was pretty cool considering the size of the park.

• Reflection: What was something that you observed on the fungi field trip? What was something you learned?

I observed the large amount of dead trees piled up all throughout the park. All of them had fungi decomposing them and I also noticed that some of them had mushrooms growing on it. I haven’t done the reading at the time so I learned a lot about lignin and how it acts as a layer of protection similar to cellulose.

• Write at least 3 scientific questions based on your observation.

Are there certain types of mushroom that will instantly kill you rather than taking 2 weeks?

What happens to your body if you consume the poisonous mushroom that causes kidney failure?

Can physical appearance alone hint that certain mushrooms are dangerous?

• Write 1 hypothesis based on the questions above.

If you train your tolerance to poisonous mushrooms by consuming small dosages at a time, then you will be able to consume a full poisonous mushroom without any difficulty.