The Coalition to Designate the Hen of the Woods as the Official Wisconsin State Mushroom.

In 2023 we started this project and it has fruited nicely.

So far we have:

The Wisconsin Blue Book states that over the years, the Wisconsin Legislature has officially recognized a wide variety of state symbols. In order of adoption, Wisconsin has designated an official seal, coat of arms, flag, song, flower, bird, tree, fish, state animal, wildlife animal, domestic animal, mineral, rock, symbol of peace, insect, soil, fossil, dog, beverage, grain, dance, ballad, waltz, fruit, tartan, pastry, dairy product, and herb. These symbols provide a focus for expanding public awareness of Wisconsin’s history and diversity. They are listed and described in Section 1.10 of the Wisconsin Statutes. But no state mushroom.

Selection of a State Mushroom increases awareness of the pivotal role fungi play in the ecology of our state.

Fungi can be seen as climate warriors;

• Playing a vital role in decomposing and recycling organic material in the environment, such as fallen branches or leaves
• Sequestering greenhouse gasses underground (Specifically carbon)
• Improve nutrient dynamics and water quality
• Without the decomposers we would be sitting amongst a huge pile of plant and animal matter that would never break down
• They are also an excellent source of nutrition for wildlife, plants, and people
• Nothing could live without them.

Fungi are critical to every aspect of life as we know it.

With the diversity of fungi in Wisconsin, picking just one mushroom to represent the entire kingdom is a challenge. So it required the effort of many aficionados and dedicated mushroom enthusiasts.

Given Wisconsin’s wealth of biodiversity and natural resources, and that fungi are essential to maintaining biodiversity, it’s time that we champion them. Let’s recognize one of life’s major kingdoms and declare an official state mushroom! Fungi make up one of life’s kingdoms – as broad a category as “animals” or “plants” – but they are substantially less known than those kingdoms.

The critical importance of fungi to people and the planet is receiving widespread attention in movies like Fantastic Fungi, books like Entangled Life, and periodicals like National Geographic, The New York Times – even Vogue! The fungal awakening is happening and organizations like Fungi Foundation, Fungal Diversity Survey, the Society for Protection of Underground Networks, are calling for adequate representation of fungi in science, education, conservation, and political representation.

Wisconsin could be on the leading edge of this movement towards fungal justice. There are only seven states with official state mushrooms (CA, UT, MN, OR, TX, VA, IL). By elevating fungi at the state-level, public awareness of fungi and their importance will surge. Children will learn about the transdisciplinary significance of fungi at an early age by learning about Wisconsin’s State Mushroom in Wisconsin schools. By designating an official state fungus, Wisconsin will be able to better advocate for scientific decision-making that will help make our environment more resilient and nourishing for generations to come.

President of the Wisconsin Mycology Society Melissa Klotka said about as much. She believes the best way to represent her home state is through some good home cooking. For her, the answer was easy; Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa). It reminds her of a big flower. As she puts it, Wisconsin is such a friendly state and it’s perfect to share. It’s a big enough mushroom that you can split it with your neighbors and have plenty to spare. It’s a delicious edible that can be made into soups, stir-fry, and countless other dishes. It’s certainly common here - a large portion of the state is oak savannah, where this mushroom likes to make its home.

In addition to an excellent table fare for Wisconsin foragers, the Hen of the Woods is also a commonly cultivated mushroom, easily found in stands at farmers markets, as an ingredient in restaurant dishes and many grocery stores.