Mushrooms of the Morton Arboretum: Ii

MUSHROOMS OF THE MORTON ARBORETUM: II

By Richard Wason Morton Arboretum In a previous Quarterly article (Summer, 1989), we considered mush Walter J. Sundberg rooms in general and some of the specific gilled forms (agarics) likely to be Department of Plant Biology Southern Illinois University at encountered in the Arboretum. In the present piece, our focus is on the Carbondale very diverse remainder of the fleshy fungus world-the non-gilled mush rooms. While some of these share a gross similarity of form with the typi and cal agaric, they differ in having no true lamellae (gills). Gregory M. Mueller Readers of the previous article may remember that in the agarics spores Department of Botany are borne, prodigiously, on the flat surfaces of the gills. In the mushrooms Field Museum of Natural History without gills, other arrangements, obviously, are required. In many of them, the spore-producing cells occur right on the more-or-less smooth Dick Wason had already com surface of the variously shaped fruiting bodies; in other groups, spores pleted the introduction and are borne within pores or on downward projecting teeth; in still another illustrations (with Luciana group we find the spores produced within an enclosed chamber from Peters) for this article before his which they are released, sometimes explosively, at maturity. With such death. As a final tribute to him, wide diversity of form, the non-gilled mushrooms clearly represent a het we (WJS and GMM) have tried erogeneous collection of fungi lacking the close affinity exhibited among to emulate his entertaining the agarics. It's a catch-all mega-category, a lumping together of diverse narrative style in our descrip forms on the basis of what they lack, rather than on what they have. tions of the mushrooms. (Mycologists recognize as many as thirteen-or more-orders of non gilled fungi). On the other hand, being fungi, this conglomeration has certain fea tures in common, among themselves and with the agarics: lack of chloro phyll (hence a saprobic, parasitic, or mycorrhizal way of life) and a simple Grifola frondosa, hen-of-the-woods structure composed chiefly of tiny thread-like cells (hyphae). Also, most of these mushrooms, as with the agarics, develop fruiting bodies (and thus become visible to us) only when conditions are optimal. This fact adds to the uncertainty-and excitement-of mushroom hunting. An exception to the latter generalization is found in many of the wood rotting fungi-those with persistent, sometimes perennial, fruiting bod ies. In this group are some of our most conspicuous and best known mushrooms. Often appearing shelf- or bracket-like, they are impressive in their individual size (as with the so-called "artist's fungus") or in their abundance (as with the familiar "turkey-tail") often covering entire dead

17 branches or stumps. The role of these wood-rotting fungi in the recycling of organic matter is an important element in woodland ecology. Consider the consequences should the forest ecosystem be deprived of these agents of decay! Most of the above-mentioned wood-ratters are comprised in a large group generally referred to as "polypores," because their undersurface is perforated by innumerable pores out from which spores are shed. An other important group of poroid fungi are those known as "boletes," dif fering from the polypores in having short-lived fruiting bodies that re semble agarics in form. Most boletes have vegetative parts closely associated with living tree roots-the mycorrhizal connection. When hunting for boletes, one does well first to find the kinds of trees with which the sought-after mushroom is known to be linked. These linkages are often quite specific-a certain bolete being found only with a single tree species or genus. The great ecological significance of mycorrhizae is the focus of much important research today. Another significant group of non-gilled fungi is the Ascomycetes or "sac-fungi." While differing widely in form, they share in common the possession of special sac-like reproductive cells called "asci," within Cyathus striatus, striated bird's which the spores are formed. Many sac fungi occur as delicate cups or nest fungus deep trumpets; others are dark and woody clubs. Probably the best known of all are the eminently edible sponge-like morels. In locations where they may be gathered (not the Arboretum) their appearance in spring triggers among devotees a particularly virulent malady known as morel madness. Puffballs, stinkhorns, coral fungi, jelly fungi, bird's nest fungi (their names suggest their appearance) are still other forms in this grab bag of non-gilled mushrooms, a vast fungal menagerie. It's difficult to designate a necessarily small number from this aggregation as "common," but space limits require it. Of the hundreds of local forms, we believe the spe cies described below to be among those most likely to attract the attention of Arboretum visitors. Folks wishing help in identifying a broader range of non-gilled fungi are referred to one or more of the popular field guides available in the Arboretum library or the Ginkgo Shop. The scientific names are those used by currently recognized authori ties. As with the first of these mushroom articles, Luciana Peters has pre pared handsome line drawings to help the reader visualize our selected species. Because of the mushrooms' great variation in size, the drawings could not be rendered in a common scale. Except where noted otherwise, the measurements indicate the range of widths of typical fruiting body units (caps, shelves, branches, etc.).

18 ALEURODISCUS OAKESII Aleurodiscus oakesii grows in summer, fall, and early winter on the bark of the trunks of living white oak (Quercus alba) and hop hornbeam (Os trya virginiana), or less frequently on other decidu ous trees. Its fruiting bodies are disc-like, flat to slightly concave, and pallid to pale ocher in color. Because they are smooth and adhere rather tightly Aleurodiscus oakesii to the bark, they look almost like they were 1/s to%" painted on. They occur in scattered fashion and, where close together, fuse, forming larger patches MUTINUS ELEGANS with irregular outlines. In Illinois, perhaps be Some mushrooms rely on animals for spreading cause it grows primarily on living trees, this mush them from place to place. Like other stinkhorns, room had been reported to cause a plant disease this mushroom depends on flies and perhaps known as "smooth patch." However, it only other insects to get the job done. Also known as grows on the surface of the tree and uses the outer the "elegant stinkhorn," it even makes offerings dead bark for food. It in no way causes harm to the to them! When first formed and young, this mush living parts of the tree. The fruiting bodies in room looks like an egg about the size of a jelly bean many other related wood decay mushrooms, or a bit larger. It is often attached to white branch which also look like they were painted on, often ing cords or threads, and is partially or completely form on the undersurfaces of dead branches still buried among the wood chips or soil in which it attached to trees or the undersurfaces of logs and grows. But, as it matures, it goes through some twigs on the ground. rapid and interesting changes. The top of the Mutinus elegans nearly white egg-like covering ruptures and a pink 3/sto 1h" to pale orange, spongy stalk, which tapers toward the tip, emerges and elongates 4-6 inches in just a few hours. Most of the upper half of the stalk is covered with a thin layer of green slime. A terrible, foul-smelling odor issues forth from the slime, ad vertising that the feast can begin. Flies and per haps other insects, readily attracted by the odor, come to feed on the foul-smelling delight. Some of the spores the slime contains are eaten, while oth ers stick to the hairs on the insects' legs as they crawl around enjoying their meal. In some cases, all of the slime can be cleared in just a few hours. Spores obtained by the flies are later deposited in other places as they fall off (if on the hairs) or are passed out in the flies' dung. Perhaps, in the sum mer or early fall you will smell and even get to see one of these carrion-scented mushrooms.

19 SUILLUS LUTE US Suillus luteus Also known as the "slippery jack," Suillus luteus is an example of the group of mushrooms known as "boletes." Because they have a cap (pileus) and stalk (stipe), fruiting bodies of these soft and fleshy fungi could easily be mistaken for gill mushrooms unless one takes a closer look. Instead of having gills, the underside of the cap is covered with pores, the openings of soft, downwardly di rected tubes. The brown to cinnamon caps of the slippery jack have pallid to yellow pores under neath and are supported by a white to pallid stalk which develops small cinnamon dots on the sur face as it ages. In this species the pore surface is covered when young by a partial veil which rup tures (just like in the store mushroom) and usually leaves a white to slightly lilac-tinted bracelet-like LYCOPERDON PYRIFORME ring pasted on the stalk. The common name slip In late summer or fall, downed hardwood logs are pery jack refers to the sticky to slimy nature of the sometimes decorated with the nearly round to cap surface, which is most obvious when the pear-shaped fruiting bodies of this fungus, the mushroom is found in wet weather. Suillus luteus "stump puffball" (also known as the "pear forms mycorrhizal connections with the roots of shaped puffball"). This species is the only mid pine, especially white pine (Pinus strobus), and, western puffball that commonly grows on logs. in the Arboretum, it fruits under these trees in Scattered-one here and one there-or, more fre the fall. quently, occurring in tighter, denser groups, the Lycoperdon pyriforme fruiting bodies are white when young but become 112tol1/2 11 pallid and then dull tan-brown as they mature. The surface of each appears smooth, but feels like fine sandpaper when rubbed gently (try it if you find some!). Like other puffballs, Lycoperdon pyri forme is a "stomach fungus"-that is, its spores are formed inside the mushroom. When young, the inside appears solid and white. As it matures, the content becomes olive, dry, and powdery, and filled with spores. A pore develops at the top of the outer covering of the mushroom, and it be comes a spore sac. Acting like a bellows, the spore sac pushes spores out of the mushroom in diffuse but visible smoke-like clouds whenever its outer covering is depressed or squeezed-thus the name puffball.

20 CALVATIA GIGANTEA This white to pallid, smooth-surfaced puffball oc World Records. Some scientists estimate that a sin curs on the ground in meadows, open fields, and gle specimen about two feet in diameter will pro in open places near the edge of the woods. Like duce about 160,000,000,000,000 (160 trillion) most other puffballs, it is good to eat when ob spores! Rather than being ejected via the bellows tained while it is young and pure white inside, but actions found in Lycoperdon, in Calvatia the outer is no longer edible when the inside begins to wall of the fruiting body disintegrates, and the change color as it matures. As its common name spores filter out. In some habitats, the fruiting the "giant puffball"-indicates, this mushroom body probably becomes detached and gets blown can get quite large and may weigh several pounds. around like a tumbleweed, dropping spores as it In fact, a specimen from New York, found in the goes. At the Arboretum, look for it in the late sum late 1800's and measuring about 6 feet by 4 feet mer and fall when fruiting bodies up to the size of and about 9 inches tall is in the Guinness Book of a volleyball might be found.

Calvatia gigantea ... 6to24"

21 CYATHUS STRIATUS This little, non-gilled mushroom is a frequent ner surface. Unlike most mushrooms, the bird's sight occurring singly or in scattered to clustered nest fungi depend on splashing water rather than groups on woody debris and wood chips in sum movement in air currents to spread their spores. mer and fall. Because of its shape and form, it is an The mushroom is specially designed as a splash example of the group of mushrooms known as cup. The cup fills with water in wet and rainy "bird's nest fungi." Each small fruiting body (the weather, causing the eggs to float. Because of the "nest") is more or less cup-, vase-, or goblet shape of the cup, when another droplet of water shaped and contains several small, gray-colored, falls in, the pressures and splash created send one lentil-like units (the "eggs"), in which the spores or more of the eggs careening out of the nest and are formed. Each egg has a very small, central carrying the spores up ot a distance of 3 to 4 feet or pouch on its undersurface. The outer surface of more! Other species of bird's nest fungi-which the "nest" is covered with small, but coarse, cin vary in their lack of striations on the "nest," the namon to brown hairs which are usually aggre color of the "eggs," or the absence of the pouch on gated into coarse pointed scales, and the rim is the undersurface of the "eggs," may sometimes decorated with a delicate hairy fringe. This fungus be encountered on the Arboretum grounds. Re gets its common name-the "striated bird's nest gardless of the species, the bird's nest fungi, also fungus" from the conspicuous striations or bands known as "fairy goblets," are truly beautiful ex that occur on the smooth and somewhat wavy in- amples of functional mushroom architecture.

Cyathus striatus 1/s to 3/s"

22 CANTHARELLUS CIBARIUS Known as the "golden chanterelle" and having a solid flesh, this mushroom is avidly sought by many mushroom hunters. Its solitary to scattered fruiting bodies can be found in soil under hard woods in late summer and fall. Like other chante relles, it has the general shape and consistency of a gill mushroom. The orange to orange-yellow color throughout makes it easy to spot. The undersur face, where the spores are borne, extends down the stalk and is composed of thick, blunt, forked, vein-like to gill-like ridges, interconnected by cross-veins. The thick, blunt, and rounded edges of the ridges serve to distinguish this chanterelle from true mushroom gills which, like knife blades, taper to a very thin ("sharp") free edge. Because of the similarity in color and general form, the un wary sometimes mistake the poisonous "jack-o lantern" mushroom (Omphalotus illudens; see pre vious article) for a golden chanterelle. The clustered habit and the abundant knife-blade-like gills on the underside of the jack-a-lantern readily distinguish it. Cantharellus lateritius, the gill-less chanterelle, looks similar but is smooth on its un dersurface-it has no gills or coarse folds-and Cantharellus cibarius 2 to5" may also be found on the Arboretum grounds.

23 CORIOLUS VERSICOLOR Corio/us versicolor One of the most common fungi throughout most % to2" of the year in the Arboretum is Corio/us versicolor, the "turkey tail". It grows like half-shells scattered or in overlapping fashion on stumps, logs, and large dead twigs. The common name of this wood decay mushroom is derived from the beautiful, somewhat concentric, linear, variously colored (white, yellow, dull orange, gray, or brown, etc.), patterns on the nearly smooth to velvety, upper surface. Corio/us versicolor is an example of a typi cal polypore (many-pored) mushroom. It is tough, leathery, and somewhat flexible. And, most im portantly, the white to pallid undersurface of the thin fleshed fruiting body is covered with very small openings-the pores. Sometimes, a hand lens magnifier is needed to see them! Each pore is the opening of a downwardly directed tube which hangs from the underside of the cap. Like other polypores, the spores are formed on the linings of these tubes and fall out through the pores into the air where they can be blown away by the wind. The "false turkey tail," Stereum ostrea, also grows commonly on stumps and logs and is easily con fused with C. versicolor, but a close examination will reveal the difference-its pallid to yellow orange undersurface lacks pores and is smooth. PHELLINUS GILVUS Another common wood-rotting polypore mush room on The Morton Arboretum grounds is Phelli nus gilvus. It grows on the dead wood of a number of different kinds of deciduous trees. Also tough and flexible to rigid, its more or less semicircular fruiting bodies may be rusty yellow when they are young and fresh, but they soon become rusty brown to dark reddish brown. The upper surface is matted-hairy, and the undersurface has very small pores. If broken open, the flesh is always a distinctive yellow-brown. Older specimens fre quently appear to be a favorite food for some beetles.

24 POLYPORUS MORI Growing on small dead branches of deciduous trees on the forest floor all season long, this wood decomposing polypore mushroom is most obvi ous in spring and early summer. An interesting, unusual, and distinctive feature is the very large, more or less diamond-shaped, angular, white to yellow pores that are found on the underside of the cap and running down the short stalk. From Polyporus mori this feature the common name "hexagonalpored 1to21h" polypore" is derived. The stalk, which is not formed in some specimens, is attached at the side of the somewhat semicircular cap, and the yellow ish to buff cap surface is covered with a few scat tered dull reddish to reddish brown pointed fibril like scales. In some older references it is called Favolus alveolaris. Similar large pores can be found on another Arboretum mushroom, the "spring polypore," Polyporus arcularis, but it has a central stalk, a brown, circular, minutely scaly cap, and grows on small twigs which are often buried.

Phellinus gilvus %to4"

25 LAETIPORUS SULPHUREUS This polypore mushroom is one of the most easily recognized of the wild edible fungi. Its stalkless, shelf-like fruiting bodies occasionally grow out of old wounds on living trees, but usually it occurs on stumps and large logs. It always grows on wood above ground level, often arranged in tiers or over lapping groups. Each fan-shaped to nearly semi circular shelf, which may become nearly an inch thick, is distinctly orange on top and has a very bright sulphur yellow pore surface underneath. If young (best for eating), the pores on the yellow surface may not have developed yet. Although commonly known as the "sulphur shelf" because of the undersurface color, some people refer to it as the "chicken-of-the-woods" because of its fla vor (especially if dipped in egg batter, breaded, and fried!). There is some evidence to suggest that Laetiporus sulphureus some mushrooms may take up and accumulate 3 to 9" chemicals (including heavy metals and perhaps other residues washed off the pavement along highway edges, pesticides that end up in soil after being applied in gardens, etc.) from their environ ment, making otherwise edible forms unpalatable or even dangerous. For example, although it ap pears safe when growing on eastern deciduous trees, in the west, the sulphur shelf has a less than desirable flavor when grnwing on some conifers and has caused some poisonings (gastrointestinal upsets) in California if harvested from Eucalyptus . Like many of the other wood decay fungi, the "sulfur shelf" will fruit from the same log for several years as the wood continues to rot and is most frequently seen in the summer and fall. An orange-capped, white-pored and stalked form, Laetiporus semialbinus, sometimes grows on the ground.

26 GRIFOLA FRONDOSA In the late summer and fall, this massive polypore mushroom grows on the ground next to stumps or still-standing deciduous trees. Typical specimens may be two feet across and weigh six or more pounds. It appears bush-like with a large number of separate, gray to gray-brown, fan-shaped caps arising in all directions from a set of supporting main branches. The undersurface of each cap with its minute pores, the surfaces of the supporting branches, and the flesh are white. Known com Grifola frondosa monly as "hen-of-the-woods," the individual 314 to3" caps are often sought by mushroom hunters while young, still soft, and succulent. A new mushroom fruiting body can often be formed by the fungus \I each year for several years at the same site.

27 GANO DERMA APPLANATUM Most polypore mushrooms produce entirely new fruiting bodies each year. However, this large, stalkless, woody textured mushroom is perennial. That is, the same fruiting body grows larger broader and thicker-every year. New layers of tubes, which are continuations of the old ones and can be seen by breaking the fruiting body open (if you can!), are added on below the ones from the previous year. This mushroom can produce spores for several months out of the year, and esti mates indicate that a typical large specimen may produce over 4,000,000,000,000 (4 trillion) spores annually! Because of the way air currents eddy around the fruiting body, some of these spores may end up forming a thin, reddish brown, pow dery layer on the mushroom's hard, often cracked, reddish brown upper surface. When fresh, its white undersurface of very minute pores turns brown where bruised. In some parts of the world, artists use it as a natural canvas to create beautiful etchings by what might best be de scribed as scratch drawing. No wonder it is com monly referred to as the "artist's fungus." Ganoderma applanatum 2to12"

DAEDALEA QUERCINA Like the artist's fungus, this polypore mushroom is another perennial form-it's fruiting bodies grow larger and remain active year after year. Most unusual and distinctive are its maize-like pores, which are white and very thick-walled. This feature is emphasized by the name Daedalea, Daedalea quercina which refers to Daedalus, who designed the l1/2 to 7" labyrinth of the Minotaur in ancient Crete.