saprophytic (Patreon)

"The etymology of the word saprotroph comes from the Greek saprós (“rotten, putrid”) and trophē (“nourishment”)" 

a critical, and yet often overlooked, element of a healthy forest. it's easy to plant plants, harder to foster biodiverse fungi in an environment. without it, nothing decomposes fast enough, and nutrients recycle into the soil much slower. 

I was so excited to see this abundance of mushrooms fruiting from this dying tree. how beautiful. 

shot by me

on on Tulalip, Stillaguamish, and Skagit land.