Search for the plants or fungus below while exploring a local park or trail. Hint: Take photos or notes on these to help you with future learning challanges.
Earn 5 acorns with completion
Mushroom
Many mushrooms live in forest ecosystems, especially in damp, shady areas. Look for mushrooms around the bases of trees, along the trail, or near fallen logs. A mushroom is a type of fungus that typically grows above ground. Mushrooms play important roles in ecosystems as decomposers, this means they break down organic matter like leaves and recycle their nutrients. When you find a mushroom take notes but don’t touch because they are very delicate.
Chicory
Chicory is known for its distinctive blue flowers, that look similar to dandelions but are larger and more vibrant. The flowers typically bloom from mid-summer to early fall. Chicory can be found along roadsides, in meadows, and in other areas with well-drained soil. It often grows in sunny locations and lives in dry conditions. While chicory is considered a weed by some, it is also harvested for its use in food and medicine. The roots can also make coffee, and the leaves are sometimes used in salads.
Bonus: Four Leaf Clover
A four-leaf clover is a rare find, symbolizing luck and good fortune. The four-leaf clover is considered a lucky charm due to its rarity. Each leaf of a four-leaf clover represents a different thing: faith, hope, love, and luck. There is only a one and five thousand chance of finding a four-leaf-clover. A four-leaf clover is formed by a genetic mutation (genetic mutation is like when a tiny mistake happens in the instructions that tell a living being how to grow). Search for a little bit to see if you can find one in any field. Good luck!
Once you have found the plants or fungus above, click on the acorn below to earn your acorns.
Ed-Quests 