Santa Cruz county is home to a very distinctive assemblage of mushrooms – including elements typical of the southern part of the state, the north coast, and the Sierra Nevada. To match its fascinating fungi, the county has also enjoyed a long history of amateur mycological investigators, and our mycota is comparatively well known, but this has a very different meaning to a mycologist than to a botanist. What we don’t know may surprise you.

Christian Schwarz started mushrooming in high school while living in San Diego, but the long, dry summers didn’t suit his lifestyle, so in 2006 he emigrated to Santa Cruz, the land of milk and honey (mushrooms). He is currently on an indefinite road trip collecting, photographing, and teaching about mushrooms, which has taken him throughout the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Europe. He is taxonomically interested in the family Entolomataceae.

Our chapter is proud to announce a new keying session. Due to the past popularity we will be having another keying club session; we will meet two hours before our general meeting and key native plants. Bring any unknown plants that have been bothering you or we will provide plants. Our focus this time will be the genera Ribes and Arctostaphylos, which occur in the county. Any other plants of interest are welcomed. This is a great way to learn the flora and an exciting opportunity to start learning the 2nd edition of The Jepson Manual.

From 7-7:30 will be open for mystery plants to be brought in and identified to the best of our ability.

No experience is necessary. If you have a hand lens, microscope, Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains, or The Jepson Manual, please bring them with you – along with a friend too!

RSVP is not necessary but recommended for us to plan accordingly.
Contact: Deanna Giuliano drosegiuliano@yahoo.com or 831 335-4902.