If you were to guess what the largest living organism on Earth was, would you say that it’s a mushroom? Well, it’s true. The honey mushroom, affectionately known as the ‘humongous fungus,’ covers 3.8 kilometres (or 2,200 acres) of the Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of Oregon.
Did you know that a single mushroom can produce 30,000 microscopic spores each second? It’s a good thing to, seeing as more than 90 per cent of plants on Earth rely on fungi to survive!
Deadly, delicious and undoubtedly fascinating, fungi are the star of the show at the Royal BC Museum’s Fungi Fest. Visit the Royal BC Museum on Oct. 18 to 28 for events, films and lectures celebrating the marvellous, mysterious world of mycelium. Fungi Fest combines education and entertainment to create a multi-faceted learning experience for all ages.
The festivities kick off Oct. 18 with Live at Lunch Fungi Fest: Mycoheterotrophs, featuring Mushrooms of British Columbia co-author, Andy MacKinnon.
Experience the interconnectedness of it all with the opening of Fungi: The Web of Life, Oct. 20 at IMAX Victoria. Discover the mysterious world of mushrooms hidden just out of sight through the gigantic glory of IMAX.
Featuring a display of hundreds of identified macrofungi for your learning and viewing pleasure, the 2023 South Island Mycological Society Annual Mushroom Show takes place on Oct. 22. Experts will be on hand to talk all things fungi and share displays of hundreds of identified macrofungi.
Wrapping up Fungi Fest on Oct. 28 is Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Mushrooms, while better known for her children’s books, Potter was also involved in the study of fungi (mycology) which inspired her land conservancy efforts. Join lecturer Spencer W. Stuart as he delves into Potter’s lesser-known involvement with the study of mycology through scientific illustration as well as writing.
Whether they’re adding flavour and texture to a meal, being used to add colour to fabrics, or wreaking havoc on your drywall, mushrooms are an integral part of life as we know it. So, gather your fungi fanboys and girls and head down to Fungi Fest at the Royal BC Museum.
Find more information online at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on upcoming exhibitions, events and more!
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