The Lycoperdaceae of California

The true puffballs, or Lycoperdaceae (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycetes), are an extraordinary group of fungi. They are edible, medicinal, and have very fascinating ornamentation and characters. Stephanie Jarvis has been working on a monographic study of the puffballs of California for almost six years, recently becoming her Master's Thesis from San Francisco State University. This presentation will take you on her journey with a visual exposition from her collection excursions, identification process, DNA sequencing, and scanning electron micrographs. From the information gathered, she has broadened the knowledge of these puffballs, identified new species, and fallen in love with the fungi that go puff. Come share her experience and learn more about these amazing California fungi.