West Coast Rare 10 Challenge
Join us from October 15, 2020 to March 31, 2021
Help us find and document ten rare, under-documented and potentially threatened fungi on the West Coast. Scientists and conservationists need more data on these fungi in order to better understand and protect them. Your high quality observations can make a difference.
Participating is easy:
- Decide which of the following fungi might be growing in a habitat that you are planning to visit between October 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
- Print out the information in the links for the species you’re interested in and bring it along, or have it handy on your phone.
- If you think you’ve found one of the Rare 10, follow the instructions on the pamphlet for each species.
Consider emailing us at conservation@fundis.org to let us know, and to ask any questions. - We are also very interested in other fungi that you might find in these habitats.
Consider joining our iNaturalist Project and sharing your observation there.
Instructions are here, if you’re unsure how to do this. - Consider getting a collecting permit if you’re thinking of visiting an area where collecting is restricted.
More information can be found here.
THE RARE 10
The Ghost Funnel
(Stereopsis humphreyi)
Region: Pacific Northwest: OR, WA, BC, AK
Habitat: Coastal Sitka spruce forests
Season: Late September - December
The Western Bondarzewia
(Bondarzewia occidentalis)
Region: Pacific Northwest
Habitat: Mature/old growth forests
Season: Fall in to winter
The Piggyback Pinkgill
(Volvariella surrecta)
Region: Forested mountain habitats from southern California to British Columbia
Habitat: Parasite on Clitocybe
Season: Fall
The Stalked Oddball
(Dictyocephalos attenuatus)
Region: CA, NV, AZ, four corners area
Habitat: Desert areas
Season: After spring rains/summer monsoons
Manzanita Butter Clump
(Pachycudonia spathulata)
Region: CA coast range and Sierra foothills, maybe WA or OR
Habitat: Under Manzanita and Pacific Madrone
Season: Winter - early spring
The Golden-gilled Waxy Cap
(Hygrocybe flavifolia)
Region: Northern CA, maybe OR
Habitat: Coastal redwood forests
Season: October - February
Little Blue Polypore
(Neoalbatrellus subcaeruleoporus)
Region: Northern CA, OR, WA and BC
Habitat: Under Western hemlock, Douglas fir, and other conifers
Season: September - January
The Meadow Amanita
(Amanita pruittii)
Region: Northern CA and OR
Habitat: Wet grasslands, disturbed land
Season: October - December
The Purple Prince
(Ramaria purpurissima)
Region: Northern CA, SW Oregon and NW Idaho; WA?
Habitat: Old-growth forests; under Red and White fir, Western hemlock and Douglas fir
Season: Fall - early winter
The Yellow-gilled Cypress Lepiota
(Lepiota luteophylla)
Region: Northern CA
Habitat: Under Monterey cypress
Season: November - February
