Genus: Hypomyces the Lobster Mushroom?
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2007 No. 1 Genus: Hypomyces The Lobster Mushroom? Within this Genus there are a number of species that seem to get lumped together under the title “lobster mushroom” From my readings I have been able to glean that the only species that can truly be called “lobster” is Hypomyces lactifluorum - it does have that lobster colour. Hence the caution that we have often heard: Try to use the proper latin names rather than the common ones when collecting and talking about various fungi. Hypomyces are not true mushrooms. This group is a parasitic mold that grows on Hypomyces lactifluorum has the look of a lobster with its red exterior and white interior. This mushrooms. At maturity the host species is considered a choice edible by many. Photo courtesy: Christopher Kolacz. mushroom generally becomes unidentifiable and because of this pestules on the surface of the Seven Hypomyces species very few of them are considered invaded host and gives the surface have been cited in various edible. a fine, sandpaper-like feeling.” literature: H. lactifluorum, H. There are a number of (North American Mushrooms, luteovirens, H. lateritius, H. variables that need to be Miller, Dr. Orson K & Miller, Hope) hyalinus, H. cervigensus, H. considered before assuming that Do you know for sure that what aurantius, H. chrysosperum. The the mushroom you have just picked you are holding is a Russula species will be discussed within the is edible, especially the Hypomyces brevipes or a Lactarius? Research category of their hosts. varieties. Because the parasite has and is being done regarding changes the shape of the changes that may occur because of Russula and Lactarius Hosts mushroom and stops the growth of the transformation by Hypomyces. Hypomyces lactifluorum is the mushroom’s normal spores, the The host fungi may be edible but generally found on Russula identification process is extremely once the parasite has taken hold is brevipes and Lactarius piperatus. tricky. “The spores of the that still true OR has Hypomyces Hypomycyes lactifluorum changes Hypomyces develop in small flask- changed the edible mushroom into the host mushroom to a reddish shaped fruiting bodies called an inedible one. The flip side of this orange colour, hence the lobster perithecium, which appears as equation is also true. (Hypomyces ...continued on page 3) www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2007 No. 1 1 site (www.wildmushrooms.ws) for President’s Message regular updates and information. 2007 Executive There are several events I want to Edmonton Mycological Society bring to your attention now, so you can write them into your calendars. Our 3rd President & Webmaster: annual Alberta Foray will take us to the Markus Thormann Lac la Biche area from August 03-06. (780) 432-1392 The annual Mushroom Exposition at the [email protected] Devonian Botanic Garden will be on August 12, and we are organizing a joint Past President: Mike Schulz foray with the Vancouver Mycological (780) 939-2106 Society on September 22/23 near [email protected] Sicamous, B.C. Needless to say, we will have regular meetings every 4th 1st Vice President: Martin Osis Wednesday of the month at the (780) 987-4412 Riverbend Public Library and numerous [email protected] weekend and weekday evening forays throughout the year. Again, please check Treasurer: Loretta Puckrin our web site for further information. (780) 458-9889 At this time, I want to thank our [email protected] outgoing executive members George Litven and David Rowe for their Secretary: Vacant contribution to the Edmonton Mycological Society. Similarly, I want to Membership: Alan Fleming thank our newest executive members, (780) 463-8540 Ethel Luthanen and John Thompson. I [email protected] hope you’ll enjoy your positions as Markus Thormann, president of the Directors-at-large. Several other Foray Coordinator: Bill Richards Edmonton Mycological Society executive positions are newly occupied as (780) 998-3507 well: Martin Osis is now our Vice- [email protected] Welcome to a new year and the President, Robert Rogers is our new exciting world of fungi! It’s been a long, Program Director, Melanie Fjoser is our Program Director: Robert Rogers cold, and snowy winter, and we should Communications Officer, and Robert have a wonderful year combing the (780) 433-7882 Simpson became a Director-at-large. A [email protected] countryside for fungi. We already held special ‘thank you’ goes out to Mike the Annual General Meeting in early Schulz, who took over the presidency for March, which mirrored last year’s all-day Communications Coordinator: a short while over the winter months; he Melanie Fjoser event with a pot-luck lunch, and is our new Past President. Our treasury conducted our annual winter polypore (780) 987-4412 will remain in the good hands of Loretta [email protected] foray a couple weeks later. This year, we Puckrin, the Spore Print will continue to visited George and Anne Litven’s retreat be published by Geri Kolacz, Bill Newsletter Editor: Geri Kolacz just east of Abee, about 90 mins. NE of Richards remains our Foray Coordinator, Edmonton, and I want to thank both of (780) 475-7927 and Alan Fleming manages our [email protected] them for their hospitality. Please have a membership as before. Alan will also look at the more detailed foray report in work with me on our web site design and Directors-at-large: this newsletter. fungal data base management. Last but This is the 20th anniversary of the Pieter Van Der Schoot not least, Pieter van der Schoot remains (780) 696-2436 Edmonton Mycological Society!!! From as one of our Directors-at-large. Thank our humble beginnings as a local Ethel Luhtanen you all for your time and commitment to (430)220-9610 mushroom club founded by Prof. Randy direct the path of the Edmonton Currah and Leni Schalkwijk-Barendsen [email protected] Mycological Society into the next decade. John Thompson in 1987, we have now grown to a We currently have a vacancy on our province-wide society with over 170 (780) 456-9424 executive. If anyone is interested in [email protected] members from across Alberta. To reflect becoming our Secretary or would like to Robert Simpson better our increasing influence on all learn more about this position, please (780) 481-7905 things mycological in this province, we contact me via e-mail or approach me at [email protected] will change our name to the “Alberta one of our meetings or forays. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Mycological Society” later this year. This With that I welcome you all to a MAILING ADDRESS: was one of the motions put forth at the new year of exciting mushrooming Edmonton Mycological Society Annual General Meeting, and it was events. Let’s have a lot of fun and 1921, 10405 Jasper Avenue unanimously approved by those in enjoyment on our ventures into Alberta’s Standard Life Building attendance. In addition, we are planning backyard. Edmonton, AB T5J 3S2 several signature events throughout the th year to celebrate our 20 anniversary. Happy ‘shrooming to you all, WEBSITE ADDRESS: So, stay in touch and check out our web Markus www.wildmushrooms.ws 2 Spring 2007 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws Hypomyces (continued from page 1) genera (false morels and allies) for distorts it into a thick, club-like its transformation processes. The formation. This makes fruiting body of Hypomyces identification of the host cervinigenus is whitish or pinkish at Amanita impossible to the naked first and at maturity turns pale eye. There is some literature that brown. Since its prefers the Helvella states that Hypomyces hyanlinus for its host, this combination is has also attached itself to inedible especially since a number of Amanita muscaria. Something to Helvella species contain very look for on our forays! Definitely dangerous toxins. With all the choice NOT a fungus that one would edibles around why take a chance on pick to eat as the Amanita these and then again “Who really species contains some of the wants to eat a Helvella??” world’s most deadly mushrooms. Bolete Hosts Amanita Hosts Hypomyces chrysospermus Hypomyces hyalinus is another tends to select from a wide range in our group of “lobster” of bolete species. Some books list mushrooms. This species selects the this species as Hypomyces Amanitas for its host. According to completus and note that it Rogers Mushrooms, this parasite can attacks Suillus pictus most be found on Amanita rubescens, commonly. Should you happen Amanita flavorubescens, A. frostiana upon Hypomyces chrysospermus attached to a bolete don’t pick or Hypomyces lactifluorum changes the host eat that particular specimen. mushroom and the spores make the mushroom This parasitic combination look like sandpaper. Photo courtesy: makes the bolete host inedible. Christopher Kolacz. (Michael Kuo) The mold attaches itself to name. The parasite Hypomyces on the pore surfaces as a white, Russula brevipes creates a choice powdery mold. Eventually it edible and according to Tom Volk’s engulfs the bolete and makes the can give your lobster chowder a host mushroom unrecognizable. boost. Lactarius piperatus has a The fruiting body begins as a hot, peppery flavour that makes it white powdery mold-like covering inedible for most of us but the that turns golden yellow and parasitic mold does help neutralize finally reddish brown at the flavour and this combination maturity. can make its way to the dinner There is a lot of information table. out there about this genera Hypomyces luteovirens (also including some interesting items known as Hypomyces viridis) is a on a parasite that has a parasite that also attacks various relationship with Armillaria species of Russula and Lactarius Hypomyces viridis on a host Russula. This species. The parasite is named species.