STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fall on Staten Island brings not just crisp air and changing leaves but also a spotlight on mushrooms. Indeed, there’s a fungus among us — and it’s as fabulous as my neighbor’s two dogs: Truffle and Porcini. Two fun guys!

But seriously, fungi are having a moment. Whether you’re a forager, foodie, or curious observer, there’s plenty to discover.

According to the New York Mycological Society, mushrooms like polypores—those shelf-like growths on trees—are more than seasonal visitors.“

Are we talking about rusts, smuts, powdery mildews, or plain old mold?

Ethan Crenson, president of the Society, says, “These 19th-century terms help describe fungi by appearance.”

Referring to a growth on a pole last week at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Crenson ex

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