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Fungal herbarium to be named for its founder

Dr. Sam Mitchel studying his favorite fungi

Dr. Sam Mitchel studying his favorite fungi

Forty years ago, a family physician named Dr. Sam Mitchel turned a hobby into a real scientific endeavor by establishing a “mushroom collection” at Denver Botanic Gardens.  The fungal collection at the Gardens is now the largest actively curated herbarium of Rocky Mountain fungi in the world, with over 24,000 specimens representing over 2,000 taxa.  Preserved collections of plants and fungi are called herbaria (herbarium is singular), and are an essential resource for scientists, land managers, botanical illustrators, horticulturalists, explorers, historians, educators, and others needing documentation or records about plants and fungi.  
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Our Mushroom Maven is honored

Vera and her dedicated assistant, Karen Schoen

Vera and her dedicated assistant, Karen Schoen

Passion. Commitment. Dedication. Love. All these words and more describe the relationship Vera Evenson, Curator of Denver Botanic Garden’s fungal herbarium, has with the most elusive of kingdoms. And yet, few know quite how remarkable this woman is. Vera recently received a distinguished award from the North American Mycological Association in honor of her 30+ years of dedication and expertise in the field.  
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