Mushroom Weekend in the Botanical Garden: Experience Tree Polypores as Nature Art

Tree Polypores: Natural Forms Between Science and Aesthetics

The mushroom weekend in the Botanical Garden of Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg opens from October 1 to 4, 2026, a fascinating view of the diversity of native mushroom species. Central to the exhibition are tree polypores – striking fruit bodies that tell stories of ancient trees, decomposition, biodiversity, and the hidden cycles of the forest.

Sculptural Forms of the Forest

In the exhibition's atmosphere, the polypores appear almost like natural sculptures with their console-shaped, hoof-like, and layered structures. Colors, surfaces, and growth traces make the experience of observing the works an aesthetic experience that combines scientific precision with sensory perception.

Ecological Cycles Made Visible

The exhibition shows how closely fungi and trees are interconnected. Some species inhabit weakened or old trees, while others develop on dead wood. As important wood decomposers, polypores return the nutrients bound in the wood to the natural cycle. Thus, the exhibition serves as a vivid introduction to forest ecology, communities of life, and sustainable nature observation.

Guided Tour and Educational Program

Accompanying the exhibition, Diana Härpfer will guide visitors through the world of fungi and the Botanical Garden on Thursday, October 1, 2026. On Saturday, October 3, the identification workshop introduces the world of fungi and deepens knowledge about native species. Participation in the workshop costs 12 euros and requires registration. A mushroom excursion in the Sebaldus Royal Forest will conclude the program on Sunday, October 4.

Mushrooms as Cultural and Natural History

Polypores have a long cultural historical dimension alongside their ecological significance. Finds like pieces of the birch polypore in the approximately 5,300-year-old glacier mummy Ötzi point to the close relationship between fungi and humans. The exhibition thus combines biological expertise, cultural education, and immediate nature experience.

Conclusion: A Unique Art Experience

The mushroom weekend invites visitors to see the hidden architecture of the forest with new eyes. Visitors can expect scientifically founded information, fascinating forms, and an intense aesthetic experience in the entrance area of the greenhouses. Admission to the exhibition is free – a compelling reason for an inspiring visit to the Botanical Garden.

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Sources:

• Mushroom Weekend in the Botanical Garden – Botanical Garden Erlangen
• Mushroom Weekend in the Botanical Garden – Botanical Garden Erlangen
• Mushroom Weekend in the Botanical Garden – Friedrich-Alexander-University
• Visit – Botanical Garden Erlangen