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Mushroom Spore Prints

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Mushroom Spore Prints

Time:10 min Difficulty:Easy  

Ever wondered how mushroom spores spread? Find out how, and get some cool prints out of it!

Here’s what you need:

  • A large mushroom
  • A sharp knife
  • A piece of white paper
  • Water
  • A box that will fit over the mushroom
  • Gloves, if you’re handling a wild mushroom
  • A grownup’s help
  • Optional: Hairspray

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1: Buy a fresh mushroom or pick one outside (if you’re picking one outside, wear gloves while handling it).

Step 2: Cut off the mushroom stem to expose its gills, the ribbed flesh on the underside of the mushroom cap.

Step 3: Place the mushroom cap gill-side down on a piece of paper.

Step 4: Add a few drops of water to the top of the mushroom cap — this makes the spores drop. Cover the mushroom cap with an upside-down box and leave it overnight.

Step 5: The next day, gently lift the box and the mushroom cap. You should see a beautiful spore print on the paper underneath!

Want to preserve your spore print? Spray it with hairspray and let it dry.

Take your nature explorations to the next level! Snap some awesome pictures of mushrooms and other awesome fungus for “Backyard Biologist” contest! Remember, the more creative and descriptive your submission is, the more points you’ll earn! Good luck!

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