Part 3/6:
Sharing the Fungal Frenzy on Social Media
In recent weeks, social media platforms have been flooded with photos of mushrooms. Many Chicagoans have eagerly documented their finds, turning their yards into mini mushroom observatories. These spontaneous displays of nature’s ephemeral art bring communities together and inspire curiosity about the hidden world beneath our feet.
How and When Mushrooms Appear
Most of a mushroom’s lifecycle occurs underground, hidden from view in mycelial networks that feed on decaying matter. When conditions are just right, these networks produce fruiting bodies—aboveground mushrooms—that release spores to propagate future generations. This fleeting emergence is what makes mushroom hunting so exciting and unpredictable.