Finding Colorful Laccaria Across the Rocky Mountain Region

As a new graduate student studying mycology at the Gardens, I spent the summer foraying and collecting fungal specimens across the Rocky Mountains.

Fungal diversity and abundance are dependent on environmental conditions such as rain. Since this year has been exceptionally dry, fungal diversity has not been the best. However, there have been some niches where diversity has been bountiful. For example, early in the season while on a hike, I was completely surprised by the small lumps of morels popping through the leaf litter and duff. Despite being unprepared, I was able to collect about a dozen large morels over the course of two hours. It was an absolute delight.

Through dry June and July, I didn’t find much diversity other than in damp spots near creek banks. As the season crept on, we began to receive more rain. This was an encouraging sign going into our annual fungal survey at the Manitou Experimental Forest. At the Manitou Experimental Forest, mycologists all around Colorado convened to collect and document as many fungi as possible during the three days of foraying. Our expedition resulted in finding a moderate amount of diversity, particularly around Pikes Peak. Fortunately for me, the fungus I am planning to study, Laccaria, was in full abundance.

Laccaria is a widespread genus of fungi, commonly known as the "deceivers." The name comes from the mushroom’s quick color change, a result of age and loss of moisture. When Laccaria fruits, they start with vivid colors of pink, orange and red. With age, the cap colors often fade to duller whites, browns and beiges. Often, the color of the mycelium at the base of the fungi can be helpful for identification. For my work at the Gardens, I’ll be researching the diversity of the Laccaria genus across the Rocky Mountain region through DNA and morphological analysis. Due to its rapid color change, having freshly collected specimens is extremely helpful in understanding Laccaria's changes in morphology in conjunction with DNA results. Heading into the fall, I hope the monsoon rains allow for more fungal diversity and Laccaria to collect. 

Article and photos contributed by graduate student William Leary.