Early autumn rains trigger a flurry of mushroom growth on the forest floors of The Pacific Northwest. Blue berries hang from low shrubs of Oregon grape next to a fallen log of red alder. The striking red caps and white stems of Amanita muscaria are poisonous if eaten. Yet underground hyphae of this fungus infect nearby tree roots forming a friendly union (a mycorrhizal relationship) in which the fungus provides the trees with soil nutrients in exchange for organic foods produced by the trees. Colorful cinnabar chanterelle mushrooms also occur in the mix.