The name, Arizona evokes visions of hot Desert landscape with cacti and the hostile arid climate. With this in mind, you would never think there are mushrooms in the state. Surprisingly, Arizona offers the largest diversity of mushrooms in the country. This is due to its Mountainous temperatey regions. In the Sonoran desert there are mountains that tower the valleys known as sky Islands. It is in each one of these Sky islands of southern Arizona that you can find every climate from Arizona to Canada. Each step in elevation offers a different habitat for unique fungi and other wild wildlife. Particularly the sky Islands south of the I10 where Mycologists from all over the country travel to find new species of fungi every monsoon. Arizona is a place where you can find Mushrooms from the East Coast from the West Coast from the Midwest And the north. Knowing all of this why do we not have a state Mushroom? 

After being in the field of Mycology for almost a decade, studying many different types of mushrooms local to our state. Given this deep passion and understanding, I am continuously surprised at our state's lack of an official Mushroom to represent it. This comparable oversight is not shared by many other states. Among this glaring omission, one species stands out as a worthy candidate for this honorable title, the Boletus barrowsii. 

The white King Bolete can be found all over the state. It likes to grow in temperate forest where there is a lot of mixed conifer. They like to grow in forests where there are a lot of fir, spruce, and maple. They have a Simbiotic relationship with these trees and can be found in the same place each year. It it can be distinguished from other Mushrooms because of it’s exaggerated girthy appearance and white color. Resembling a white version of the infamous Italian porcini mushroom.

Boletus barrowsii is a unique, iconic species that was discovered right here in Arizona. Its impact is even recognized by the Arizona Mushroom Society, who have adopted it into their official logo. The acknowledgment we seek is not just a symbolic gesture, in fact, it extends beyond mere emblem status. The official state designation would generate more interest and research into our local mushrooms, fostering a greater appreciation of our state's biological heritage and nudging us towards a society more aligned with conservation efforts.

Mycologist Terri Clements and head of the Arizona mushroom society scientific committee has stated “The one and only white king bolete, Boletus barrowsii!  The white king bolete was described from Arizona with ponderosa pine and is quite common in Arizona most years.  It is easily distinguished from other king boletes by its white cap and habitat.”

Moreover, this move could provide an impetus for further exploration of the diverse world of fungi found in our state and inspire the younger generation to take an active interest in this fascinating field.

I urge you to support this petition to designate the Boletus barrowsii as Arizona's Official State Mushroom, broadening our state's unique identity, showcasing our rich biological diversity, and sparking additional scientific interest and exploration in our local fungi. Please sign now and make this important change happen.