The Kingdom Fungi

Fungi are fundamental to earth’s ecological balance. The vital role they play  in sustaining forests of trees through their underground network has been called the “wood wide web.” In the decomposition of dead trees, they restore the carbon needed for new plant growth. The presentation will start with the basic taxonomy  of the Kingdom Fungi to the phylum level stressing its unique attributes. The subsequent sections will address physiology and morphology and the genesis of the mushroom fruiting body, types of edible and poisonous fungi, medicinal applications and an overview of the more important families and orders of fungi, like puffballs and stinkhorns. The talk will conclude with the relationship of fungi to  lichens and to slime molds.

NHSM Members $40

Non-Members $50

Instructor Bio: Introductory Paragraph: William Needham is the president of the Mycological Association of Washington with extensive field and practical experience with fungi. He is also a Master Naturalist in Maryland. After a 30-year career in submarines, he was a corrosion engineer for the Department of Defense for an additional 16 years. His educational background includes degrees in science from MIT and engineering from Duke. He is active with several hiking and nature groups in the area.