Looking outside this time of year we find the occasional cold weather mushroom, but much of those fruitings have passed. We now see broken branches after our winter storms covered with many colorful lichens. Did you know that lichens are part fungi? Come to February's PSMS meeting and learn from an expert about these extremely interesting organisms. Dr. Katherine Glew, current Associate Lichen Collection Curator at the University of Washington Herbarium, will be presenting an update to lichens. The presentation will also include an introduction to lichens for those who may not be familiar with this organism. 

Lichens are a vital yet many times overlooked part of our forest ecosystem, rangelands and rural environments. Katherine will provide us insights into their environmental, ecological, and commercial value as well as their biological make up, diversity, and beauty. An entity that goes by one name, a lichen is actually the symbiotic relationship of multiple organisms.

The presentation will be held at the Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH). You may attend in person or click on the opening website below to attend the virtual meeting.

Puget Sound Mycological Society | The Largest Mushroom Society in the Pacific Northwest (psms.org)

Address for CUH is: 

3501 NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98195 

Meeting Hall - Open to all, including non-members

There will be a follow-up lichen walk for PSMS members on February 13, 10-noon @ the UW Botanical Gardens/Washington Arboretum.