The Fungus Among Us

Mushrooms and fungi come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Often most of the organism grows under the surface, so the mushrooms and fungi we see are only a hint of what’s there. They grow in soil and wood and help decompose organic matter, making them an important part of park ecosystems. Discover the thousands of species of mushrooms and fungi that live in national parks.

Close-up of brown and white mushroom on forest floor
Hands-On Science

Learn how citizen scientists and researchers worked together to learn about mushrooms during a 2017 BioBlitz at Glacier National Park.

Last updated: February 14, 2019