Feb 7 2026 Mushroom ID Class

The Fungus Federation will be giving a mushroom identification class, taught by our Science Advisor, Phil Carpenter. This course is for students with a serious interest in learning how to ID mushrooms and you will only get as much out of the class as the effort you put in.

We use the classic field guide Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora as the primary class text. Plan to purchase or borrow a copy of the text before the class. It will be requested that you review the first 60 pages of this guide before the classroom session.

To identify mushrooms you will need to find some first, which may be a challenge with the dry weather we have had since early January. Every participant is encouraged to go out on their own to their favorite secret spot to find specimens to bring to the class. Be sure to gather whole mushrooms including the base and note as much as possible about the substrate and habitat. Get in the habit of checking odor and staining reactions immediately as these may change or disappear with time. Get a spore print if possible.

We will have a brief collecting foray before the class starting a 10:00 am at a location TBD. This is optional if you want to just collect on your own. We will meet at the Grange Hall at 12:30 pm to start the actual ID Class.

In order to take the class, you must be a current, paid-up, member of the Fungus Federation and there will be a $15 fee to cover the cost of the facility rental. The class size will be limited to 20 participants. To purchase tickets, please enter the access code muscaria to see the tickets. Registration will be open at 7:00 pm, Friday 30 January.

FFSC members can get additional details about our mushroom ID classes, on the ID Classes & Workshops page.

About Phil Carpenter

Dr. Phil Carpenter has been a member of the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz (CA) (FFSC) since the club was founded in 1984. He has been very active in the FFSC since joining, acting as President for many years as well as several other offices, including Science Advisor for many years. He is also currently a Regional Trustee for the North American Mushroom Association (NAMA).  He has been and continues to be a resource of mushroom identification for monthly FFSC meetings and periodic local and long distance forays. He provides identification and consulting in mushroom poisonings for local hospitals and veterinarians.

Phil was the 2023 recipient of the Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award given by the North American Mycological Association (NAMA)  in recognition of his many years of distinguished service to the mycology community.