Marvelous Mycoheterotrophs: The Beauty and Science of Floral-Fungal Freeloaders
Marvelous Mycoheterotrophs: The Beauty and Science of Floral-Fungal Freeloaders
GUEST SPEAKER: Leah Mycelia
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 2022
TIME: 7 PM CST
WHERE: Online & Free with Registration, Donations Accepted
ABOUT the talk
If you've ever been fascinated by a waxy, alien looking plant without green parts in the woods that doesn't even seem like it should be real, you may have been enchanted by a marvelous mycoheterotroph! You may have even been out with us to see some of the rare, local mycohetertrophic orchids this last year.
In this talk, we'll discuss the biology and associations of these strange looking plants that depend upon fungi for survival, as well as some of the scientific discoveries that lead to the current understanding of how they function. Leah will also help you get to know and recognize some local species and learn how they might help us in successful mushroom hunting!
Zoom link and YouTube will be sent out before the event by email.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Leah Bendlin is a Portland based mushroom and community science enthusiast. She caught the mycology bug after her first outing hunting chanterelles with a friend. She was amazed at the diversity of other mushrooms that day, and set out to learn the science of identification. That curiosity proved insatiable, and now, 9 years later, she is an expert taxonomist and aspires to learn the name of every mushroom she encounters, and delights in teaching others. Leah has special interests in taxonomy, uncommonly known edibles, mycoheterotrophic plants, slime molds, ascomycetes and social justice. She regularly leads mushroom ID classes and walks through various Pacific Northwest organizations and has volunteered as a teacher, identifier and board member of the Oregon Mycological Society. You can find her Instagram page, focused primarily on teaching mushroom species of the Pacific Northwest.
