Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that wilts the leaves, reducing growth.
09 Suolijärvi nature trail information board
The Suolijärvi nature trail runs for about five kilometres around Lake Suolijärvi. Along the way, 14 information boards will help you discover the area's diverse nature and species, as well as the themes of environmental change and nature conservation. On this page you will find the questions and answers to information board 9. The answer will open in the drop-down menu below the question.
Mushrooms as a prerequisite for forest growth
In colloquial language, a mushroom often refers to the most visible part of the fungus, the germ. The fungus grows it in moist and warm conditions in order to reproduce. The fungus itself, however, is a fine, seven-petalled filament that can be found, for example, on decaying wood or around the roots of a plant. Like plants, different species of fungi thrive in different environments.
The fungi attach to the root system of the plant and increase its surface area, thus enhancing the root system's ability to absorb water and nutrients. Most trees in the forest have this fungal root, the mycorrhiza, as a companion. Some fungi are decomposers that use their enzymes to break down dead organic matter, making the nutrients bound to the organisms available to the plants again.
Mushrooms in Finland
The spores of mushrooms are used as food – there are hundreds of edible mushrooms in Finland. In addition to humans, species like reindeer and bears are known to enjoy mushroom picking. Squirrels also collect mushroom harvests for winter storage. Mushrooms contain a wide range of important trace elements and vitamins, but many also contain dangerous toxins. Many edible mushrooms even have a poisonous appearance. Mushrooms also accumulate environmental toxins, so they should only be collected from clean places.
Mushroom identification is a skill that should be practiced at your leisure, preferably with the help of an experienced mushroom picker. The rule of thumb is to verify the safety of mushrooms from multiple sources. Use the picture to practice identifying common mushroom species in Suolijärvi.
Can you find the species in the picture along the nature trail route?
