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2nd Annual Super Cup Fungus Sunday

Join us for our second annual Super Cup Fungus Sunday!

Mycologist and author of Fascinating Fungi of New England, Lawrence Millman, will be the foray leader on a mushroom identification walk to rival all other winter mushroom activities taking place this Super Bowl Sunday. “The Super Cup Fungus Sunday provides an alternative for Thoreau-minded individuals who think that Super Bowl Sunday is a total bore,” said Lawrence Millman. “We will be searching not only for super cup fungi, but also other interesting winter species. The focus will be on ecology and not, definitely not, edibility!”

The Super Cup Fungus Sunday walk is FREE and open to the public; however, it is capped at 16 participants.

R.S.V.P.  margaretcb@thoreaufarm.org or call 508-241-9601.

Thoreau’s sketch of the “Phallus impudicus” or common stinkhorn mushroom

 Thoreau’s Journal, October 16, 1856.

Found amid the sphagnum on the dry bank on the S side of the turnpike just below Everetts’ meadow–a rare & remarkable fungus—such as I have heard of–but never seen before. The whole height 6 3/4 inches, 2/3 of it being buried in the sphagnum–. It may be divided into 3 parts: Pileus–Stem–& base or scrotum, for it is a perfect phallus—One of those fungi: named impudicus. I think–In all respects a most disgusting object–yet very suggestive. It is hollow from top to bottom–the form of the hollow answering to that of the outside. The color of the outside white excepting the Pileus which is olive colored–& somewhat coarsely corrugated–with an oblong mouth at tip about 1/8 of an inch long–or measuring the white lips 1/2 an inch– This cap is thin & white within almost 1 3/8 inches high x 1 ½ wide. The stem (bare portion) is 3 inches. The whole plant rather frail & trembling. There was at first a very (or volva?) thin delicate white collar about the base of the stem above the scrotum. It was as offensive to the eye as to the scent—the cap rapidly melting & defiling what it touched with a fetid {&} olivaceus semi-liquid matter. In an hour or two the plant scented the whole house wherever placed–so that it could not be endured– I was afraid to sleep in my chamber where it had lain until the room had been well ventilated. It smelled like a dead rat in the ceiling–in all the ceilings of the house. Pray what was Nature thinking of when she made this? She almost puts herself on a level with those who draw in privies.

Date

Feb 03 2019
Expired!

Time

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

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Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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