An October Interpretive Hike

by Kathleen Beck, Interpretive Specialist

Some people call this a sulfur mushroom. Others call it a chicken shelf mushroom. It grew in the Paso Picacho campground following the recent rains.  Some say it is called chicken because it looks like a rooster’s comb.  Others say it is called this because it tastes like chicken.  It is saprophytic in function to the forest as it generally grows on dead wood, thereby acting as a decomposer.  It digests cellulose and turns dead plant matter into soil, making itself useful to its ecosystem.

During October we can explore aspects of the turn of the seasons.  Photosynthesis begins to abate with shorter days and cooler temperatures.  Chlorophyll breaks down, removing the color green to display the fall yellows and reds.  The fall colors lie hidden until the change in season begins.  Visit the park to see many changes taking place in the plant kingdom!