2010 No.1 The Newsletter of the Alberta Mycological Society

Currah founded the Edmonton Mushroom Club in 1987, which soon became the Edmonton Mycological Society and most Helene recently the Alberta Mycological Society. Her face was regularly featured in the local daily M. E. newspapers whenever there were articles written about mushrooms. She was always referred to as the Schalkwijk- Mushroom Lady, and a lady she truly was. During that time she gave many, many lectures, and has led countless forays. Leni has Barendsen tirelessly and patiently answered the same questions over and over from newcomers to mycology – she Helene M.E. Schalkwijk- Helene has always been the enthusiastic Barendsen was born in the Mathilde Eveline promoter of all things fungi. She Netherlands in 1921, and holds Schalkwijk-Barendsen would describe all the fungi that the degree of Ingenieur in people brought her, explaining Horticulture, from Wageningen 1921-2010 the characteristics of the , University. She married J.A. translating the scientific name so Schalkwijk and has lived in that her students would get a Canada since 1949. They have illustrations for her books are better understanding of each four children. In her late forties as documented in the National specimen. Those who wished to her children grew up Helene took Mycological Herbarium. learn merely had to stroll beside up painting. Her favorite subject In the process of collecting her and act like a sponge! As well, soon became mushrooms. With her fungi, she has come across she taught courses in field education and interest in botany, thousands of different species. She identification at John Janzen she found it troubling not to be would paint the fungi where she Nature Centre in Edmonton for able to put names on the different found them. Some of her ten years. species she was painting. exhibitions of paintings have been Most importantly, in her Since the early 70’s, Leni (as hung in Canada’s Museum of efforts to assist budding she is affectionately known) sent Natural History in Ottawa, mycologists, she has published countless specimens of fungi to the Provincial Museum of Alberta in Mushrooms of Western Biosystematics Research Centre in Edmonton, the Glenbow Museum Canada. This book is a Ottawa, as well as to many other in Calgary, and the Edmonton Art compilation of over 25 years of prominent mycologists. Along with Gallery. In 2003, Leni donated forays, painting, research and these specimens she sent detailed many of her mushroom paintings correspondence. This book gave field descriptions along with both to the Edmonton Mycological amateur mycologists a tremendous black and white and colour Society, which we display as part tool, as previously there had been sketches. She has indicated that of our yearly exposition. Leni together with Dr. Randy almost all the specimens in the (Memorial ...continued on page 8) www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2010 No. 1 1 with. With help from Imanta, Alberta’s Latvian Society, who 2010 Executive gave us a significant grant, we had a room Alberta Mycological full of top-notch Society President’s mycologists for members to learn from, including Message a mycologist from the President: “Latvian Natural History Martin Osis President: Martin Osis Museum”, Inita Daniele. (780) 987-4412 [email protected] Welcome to 2010. Lots of This year we have received support snow gives us promise of a hopeful from TD “Friends of the Webmaster: morel hunt in May. Alberta is a Environment” to bring in some of Vacant great place for morels but we still our experts. One of the exciting new Vice President: need the stars to come together Robert Rogers events for the Edmonton area will and provide us with some rain and (780) 433-7882 warm weather in early May. be a “Morel Count”. On Monday [email protected] th When it comes together I’ve picked May 24 , Victoria Day, we will morels till I am sick of bending identify and designate several Treasurer: Michael Avanati over for them. promising potential morel sites. We will have members scour those As you can see from our Secretary: headline we have some sad news. areas for morels and other fungi Patrick Tackaberry Leni Schalkwijk, one of our and then meet for a “ tail gate” [email protected] founders, mentors and author of potluck at the end of the day and our field guide, “Mushrooms of record our findings. Nothing beats Membership: Diane Murray Western Canada” passed away a day of morel hunting that ends with sharing stories and good food. this January. For those long time Foray Coordinator: members who had the opportunity Details will follow after our May 26 Bill Richards to learn from her, many fond meeting, which, after popular (780) 998-3507 memories flood back. In honour of demand will feature a lecture on [email protected] Leni, we are dedicating this year’s morels. We will be repeating this lecture in the Calgary area on Program Director: Alberta Foray in her honour. We Vacant are planning to have in Saturday June 5, following a morel attendance some of the mycologists foray in the Cochrane area. If we that worked with Leni, who made have a successful “Morel Count” in Media Relations Coordinator: the field guide we so heavily rely Edmonton and can get a volunteer Melanie Fjoser on possible. I hope that many of from the Calgary area, perhaps we (780) 987-4412 [email protected] our members will take advantage can organize a “Morel Count” there in the future as well. of the good times and educational Newsletter Editor: opportunity that this foray will Of course we are still keeping Vacant bring (see details and many of our long standing annual registration). events including our Solstice foray Directors-at-large: Our Schedule of Events is on and Pig Roast out at Poplar Creek, Doug Overes page 12, so mark those dates in our annual Mushroom Exposition Amanda Hudgins at the Devonian Botanic Garden, your calendars, as we have Garry Popowich planned another busy year. We and end of the season foray in Sicamous. There will be many Pieter van der Schoot

have expanded some programs for ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ our Southern Alberta members to outstanding opportunities for MAILING A DDRESS: take advantage of. In fact our mushrooming, both physical and Alberta Mycological Society Alberta Foray will return south intellectual, so please take P.O. Box 1921, 10405 Jasper Avenue advantage of as many of these as Standard Life Building again after a very successful Edmonton, AB T5J 3S2 Alberta Foray at Grouard. In spite you can. of the dry weather we had more Happy mushrooming! WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.wildmushrooms.ws mushrooms than we could deal Martin Osis

2 Spring 2010 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws TO EAT OR NOT TO NewEAT, mushroomTHAT IS THE for QUESTION Alberta!. Some second thoughts on poisonous mushrooms.

This year has had a series equestre (name depending on of challenges to what I always which mycologist you are talking thought true of poisonous to). This has been one of my mushrooms. The quote above favorite of all fried mushrooms comes from an interesting read and I questioned the validity of in the latest McIlvania, a the conflicting information about NAMA publication, which can a delicious edible mushroom that be read in full at http:// I have eaten on many occasions. www.namyco.org/publications/ Upon more research it appears mcil_journal.html. As most of us that the poisoning, which know or perhaps I should say happened in France and Poland, believe, the Inky Cap can coincided with tremendous produce a very unpleasant fruitings and therefore an mushroom poisoning when overconsumption of these consumed with alcohol. mushrooms is most likely the In our first issue last year blame. This was also the case we had a great article on with several deaths in Japan, Mushroom Poisonings by Mike related to the overconsumption Beug along with a bit of a of Angels Wings, Pleurocybella different viewpoint from an porrigens (similar to Oyster excerpt from Charles mushrooms). These “Angel Coprinus atramentarius. Photo courtesy of McIlvaine’s “One Thousand Wing” poisonings seemed to Denise O’Reilly. American Fungi” (Note: the affect older mycophagists or NAMA publication is named in people with pre-existing kidney his honor). Charles McIlvaine problems. Known edible “THIS SUMMER we were in personally tested and recorded as mushrooms poisoning people Labrador City, picking mushrooms edible many fungi that are now have also occurred closer to along Vello’s Trail. One day we commonly listed as poisonous. In the home with overconsumption of found a beautiful colony of process, he of course, avoided those Leccinums, our own “Red Cap”. Coprinus atramentarius. I fried known deadly Amanitas and other Mid summer I received up some onions in butter until undisputed poisonous mushrooms, another article written by David they were just turning a golden but experimented with many others Arora, author of “Mushrooms brown, then added the Coprinus. that we consider either (To eat or not to eat...... continued on page 6) While cooking, Maria and I inedible or poisonous. In enjoyed some very nice Australian the process of compiling his shiraz. We finished the rest of the “One Thousand American bottle with supper, Coprinus for Fungi” he only poisoned me and lamb chops for my lamb himself 300 times, more or chop, a sort of controlled less. experiment on the effects of Over the last several alcohol and coprinotoxin.” years we have received Andrus Voitk, “McIlvania”, updates that mushrooms Summer 2009. (Note: Andrus we have considered edible Voitk, attended our Morel Foray and delicious were in fact at the Rocky Mountain House deadly poisonous. The one Grazing Reserve and was our that stands out is the Man guest speaker at our May meeting on Horseback, Tricholoma in 2008.) flavoviren or Tricholoma Entoloma sp. Photo courtesy of Martin Osis. www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2010 No. 1 3 The Great Alberta Mushroom Foray & Leni Schalkwijk Memorial Foray

This year’s Alberta Foray will and those questions she could not identification process. Mushrooms be held on the September long answer, she often did more that are identified are then entered weekend, September 3 - 6, 2010. research and never forgot to send into our database, photographed The location will be in the beautiful off a little note with her well and set out for display. Hopefully, a Kanasakis and Bow River bounty of the best edibles will Valleys near Canmore, head to the kitchen to be Alberta just outside Banff. prepared and tasted. This year’s foray will be We will be offering designated “The Leni workshops and evening Schalkwijk Memorial Foray” lectures, leaving time in the honouring one of our later evenings for lots of founding members and informal socializing. An mentors. At every foray we evening banquet will be held hold in Alberta, Leni’s name in Leni’s honour. is mentioned, as she is with Our facility will be the us every time we reach for YMCA , “Camp Chief Hector” her book. Her book is the first adjacent to the Bow Valley field resource both amateur Provincial Park. The camp is and professional mycologists beautifully located on a 1000 reach for in Alberta. We will also be thought out answer. The Alberta acre site which includes a small lake using her book for the Beginners’ Mycological Society tries to keep with plenty of shore line to explore, Mushroom Course, which will be the enthusiasm she brought us Our main venue will be in the offered for those of you starting out alive and enduring. Beaufort Lodge which has held or just wanting a review. She was During the foray we will be many conferences. irrepressibly enthusiastic about visiting 12 varied sites in the The meals are included with learning more and educating those region, bringing samples of species two registration options and we around her about mushrooms. She back to our sorting area, where have small dorm facilities with patiently answered all questions expert mycologists will help the central washrooms (please view the site at . http:// www.ymcacalgary.org). We won’t assign anyone a top bunk unless you have some children you want to bring along. You are required to bring bedding or a sleeping bag. For those campers or RV’ers, there will be locations to set up near by. If you are looking for a bit more luxury, Deadman’s Flats is about 10 minutes away as well as a lot more luxury at the Stoney Nakoda Resort, just 5 minutes away.

Please register early as these spaces will go fast.

Photos courtesy of Camp Chief Hector YMCA.

4 Spring 2010 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws Alberta Foray Registration Form

Name(s): 1. ______2. ______3. ______4. ______

Address: ______

City: ______Province: ______Postal Code: ______

Phone: ______Cell: ______Email: ______Option 1: includes all foray events, all meals, accommodation at the Camp, and Foray T-shirt $195.00 per person x ____ persons = $ ______Option 2: includes all foray events, all meals (but not accommodation*), and Foray T-shirt $140.00 per person x ____ persons = $ ______Option 3: includes all foray events and Foray T-shirt, no meals or accommodations. $85.00 per person x ____ persons = $ ______

AMS Membership (due to liability reasons the foray is open to Society members only) $25.00 per individual x ____ persons = $ ______$35.00 per family x ____ families = $ ______Total enclosed: $ ______

T-shirt size(s): S ___, M___, L___, XL___, XXL___ * Camping is available on site with costs included, no services. Campgrounds are available across the highway at Bow Valley Provincial Park with full services, reserve early with the Park. Hotel / motel are available nearby, again reserve early due to the long weekend. Note: there will not be a meal served on Friday night. Visa or Mastercard: ______For security please do not include expiry date and your 3 digit code. You will be contacted to confirm that information.

Please send your registration form(s) and cheque(s) no later than August 18 to: Alberta Mycological Society P.O. Box 1921 Standard Life Building 10405 Jasper Avenue. Edmonton, Alberta. T5J 3S2

Since this is a catered event, registrations after August 18 cannot be accepted.

www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2010 No. 1 5 To Eat or not to eat (continued from page 3) the allegedly deadly poisonous, “Man on Horseback” I have been eating for years. About 15 - 20 years ago Bill Richards, I, and a group of fellow canoeists came upon a large fruiting of the “Green Lobster” (Hypomycetes luteo-virens). We fried those up and soon had a new favorite mushroom to add to our list of choice edibles. When I returned from the canoe trip I looked up references regarding the “Green Lobster” and found it either listed as “edibility unknown” or potentially poisonous. Over the years of continued consumption we have never had a reaction. This may in part be attributed that we Gyromitra s.s. Photo courtesy of Shelley Stobee. have never found massive fruitings of this delicious edible or that those Demystified”, who writes that the Inita Daniele. Our Society invited authors sided on caution. Amanita muscaria should be her to attend the Alberta Foray in What is the moral of this considered an edible mushroom, Grouard last summer, thanks to a story? We know that there are an much the same as the morel. If you donation from the Latvian society, assortment of poisonous mushrooms recall that the delicious morel is “Imanta”. Ms Daniele also led a out there and a pile of mushrooms potentially quite toxic if eaten raw, walk and had a presentation to the that are not worth eating. As we he asserts the same applies to the Latvian Society about the historic get a greater knowledge and build Fly agaric. If the Amanita muscaria use of mushrooms our identification is prepared properly it is indeed in the Latvian skills, perhaps we edible. He reasons that there has culture, including can experiment a bit. never been a “confirmed” death a lengthy talk Everyone has to do associated with the muscaria, and about the their own risk that the toxins present are water common edible assessment and soluble. So, if at first, the mushroom mushrooms that personally I would is parboiled with some salt, the have been stick to species within toxins are washed out, or at least consumed for families that are significantly diluted, leaving a centuries. Many generally know to be delicious mushroom. I might add of the fungi that safe such as Russula that if anyone is going to try this have been or at worse that that they at least reread the consumed there, would only give you previous paragraph about are listed as some gastric upset overconsumption. I have read one poisonous in (Of course one of the account where a pair of many of our field first things you have mycophagists did try the process guides. I had the to learn, in the and the mushrooms. Apparently, opportunity to try mushroom world, they did not use enough water or many of the there are always salt and ended up with a mixture of abundant and exceptions to every relatively common Lepiota sp. Photo courtesy of rule i.e. Russulas both pleasant and disturbing sets of Martin Osis symptoms. Lactarius and that stain black have My thoughts on poisonous Russulas, that for years I have caused deaths in mushrooms were again challenged been avoiding. What a surprise, Japan). I would avoid anything by the visit of a Latvian Mycologist, especially the russulas, fired in from the families of entoloma, butter. I enjoyed them more than (To eat or not to eat ...continued on page 9)

6 Spring 2010 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws A Tale of Two

My first memories of a bodies intensely acidic, mushroom were of a , taste bitter” as which grew on a large balsam described by poplar stump behind our barn. Breitenbach and How I learnt to recognize it as a Kränzlin (1). It is this fungus would be the same way I taste that I use to learnt of “horse-farts” and “fairy- determine if the caps”, from my grandfather who it amorphous blobs of seems always had me under foot very young polypores whenever he was in the yard or are in fact a red belted gardens. My memory is vaguely of or some other type. the polypore getting larger as the Twenty-one years ago stump got smaller. By the time I I purchased one such F. pinicola reached six or seven years, neither “field guide”, a fungus nor stump remained. Mushrooms Demystified (2), as a Enough reminiscing because I wish textbook for a mushroom course I of members of the pine family to talk about my present day was attending. Near the back of Pinaceae including white favourite polypore, Fomitopsis this tome, Arora has a section he (Picea glauca), black spruce (P. pinicola, the red belted polypore, calls the Latin and Greek mariana), balsam (Abies by contrasting it to my possibly Dictionary. This most interesting balsamea), subalpine fir (Abies second favourite (though there are and useful section helps one lasiocarpa) and tamarack (Larix many candidates that could vie for understand the seemingly unusual laricina). About 18 years ago I that spot), conifericola, names applied to the mushrooms. thought that I had found another the sulphur shelf. species of Fomitopsis growing Before I go on, on a paper birch tree (Betula the question of what is papyrifera). What looked like a polypore should be any other F. pinicola, it answered. Polypores obviously had to be another are many-pored fungi species, for no self-respecting which are usually pine-dwelling polypore would woody, tough or inhabit a birch tree - or would leathery at maturity it? Over the years I learned and belong to either not to be surprised about the Polyporaceae which fungi would grow family or Boletaceae where. The fact that family. Each group has Fomitopsis would grow on the their spore-bearing surface within tubes or (Tale ...continued on page 8) pores and they typically lack a distinct stalk. Polypores are frequently found on rotting logs, and because of anti- L. conifericola pathogenic properties many are rot- From it I discovered resistant and may persist for years. that F. pinicola was Some, like the trees they grow on, pine (pini) dwelling show annual growth rings. or inhabiting (col). Many field guides will provide To no one’s surprise, similar descriptions for F. pinicola not only did I find it with its resinous red band. I shall on our local jackpine not describe it except to say that (Pinus banksiana) one characteristic frequently and lodgepole pine overlooked is taste. It has a very (Pinus contorta), but distinctive astringent odour and also growing on most Photos courtesy of Bill Richards taste, “odour of young fruiting www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2010 No. 1 7 A Tale of Two Polypores fir trees. The fresh specimens I Memorial (continued from page 7) have found were on Abies (continued from page 1) perfectly good wood of a birch now balsamea (balsam fir) in the Lac La no field guide covering the comes as no surprise. Biche area and on A. lasiocarpa boreal forest area and the In 2004, while collecting fungi (subalpine fir) in the Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park. northern Rocky Mountains. during a biophysical blitz of the The texture of the Laetiporus The Alberta Mycological Society Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park in northern lends itself well for consumption. regards this book as their “bible However in recent years most of mushroom identification” for Alberta, 22 species fungi were collected from humble white birch. species of have been reported to Alberta fungi, as it is most used Of these, 14 species were polypores, cause gastrointestinal upset (1, 5); as the go-to reference book. but strangely here F. pinicola was so be cautious when you eat it for During the NAMA Foray 2006 not among them. In this park F. the first time. Not usually deterred in Hinton, Alberta, pinicola was only found on aspen by gastrointestinal distresses, I identification experts quickly poplar (Populus tremuloides) and have found that this fungus can be found that this book best two species of . cooked up into a very nice described the local specimens Surprisingly I have seen casserole. Where as F. pinicola can that they were looking at. Fomitopsis pinicola grow on almost be pulverized and steeped into an earthy medicinal tonic. However, if Most amazingly, the every tree species in Alberta including alder (Alnus sp.) and I were going to spend a lot of time knowledge that Leni learned, steeping, I would prefer to be collected and shared started balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). Most of the rest I cooking and have a meal at the end very late in life. It was in her have already named. Overholts (3) of all that effort. late forties and early fifties that suggest that that it grows on as she started her mycological many as 21 host genera while Farr Bill Richards pursuits. At a time when people & Rossman (4) list a total of “218 Bibliography start struggling with memory Fungus-Host combinations” for this she truly became a leader in species. 1. Breitenbach, J., Kränzlin, F. 1986. amateur mycology. Second! A far less common Fungi of Switzerland, Vol. 2. Non Her Books: polypore is Laetiporus conifericola. gilled fungi - Heterobasidiomycetes, Some edible and For many years it was believed Aphyllophorales, Gasteromycetes. poisonous mushrooms in that L. sulphureus the sulphur Wesemlinstrasse 54, CH-6006, Lucerne, Switzerland. and around Edmonton; self- shelf was the same species that published by Helene M.E. happened to grow on deciduous trees in eastern North America but 2. Arora, David. Mushrooms Shalkwyk; 3rd edition, 1987. grew on conifers in the west. Not Demystified. Ten Speed Press, This booklet described until 2001, when Burdsall and, Berkeley, CA, 1986. sixteen mushrooms commonly Banik (5) described L. conifericola, 3. Overholts, L. O. (1953). The found in the Edmonton area, as being the inhabiting and intended to be a starting Polyporaceae of the United States, Laetiporus and notes it is restricted Alaska and Canada. Ann Arbor: point for newcomers to the field to western North America. University of Michigan Press. of mycology. The one outstanding characteristic that makes this 4.. Farr, D.F., & Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Mushrooms of Western polypore distinct is its bright Databases, Systematic Mycology and Canada; published by Lone yellowish-orange mass of fruiting- Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, Pine Publishing; first printed in body, prompting Gussow and Odell USDA. Retrieved January 24, 2010, (6) to proclaim “To find a clump of 1991. Published also as: from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/ this beautiful fungus is a sight not fungaldatabases/ Mushrooms of Northwest easily forgotten”. The texture is North America. cheesy and watery-to-firm when 5. Burdsall HH Jr, Banik MT. 2001. fresh. It dries and weathers to a The genus Laetiporus in North Leni passed away in white chalky texture. America. Harvard Pap Bot 6:43–55. Vancouver, B.C. January 30, Only twice have I come across 2010, and we mourn Alberta such beautiful specimens in Alberta 6. Gussow, H. T. & W. S. Odell, Mycological Society’s first and on several other occasions I Mushrooms and Toadstools: an Honorary Life Member. have found the weathered Account of the more common Edible remnants of the once beautiful and Poisonous Fungi of Canada Ottawa: Dominion Experimental Melanie Fjoser polypore. On all occasions they were found on large dead or dying Farms Division of Botany 1927.

8 Spring 2010 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws Oyster RecipeRecipe Mushrooms Oyster This fan shaped mushroom, Mushroom & with a cap varying in colour from pale gray to dark brownish – gray Chipotle Stuffing and a grayish – white stem, grows Yield: 20 Portions both wild and cultivated in close Ingredients: clusters on rotting tree trunks. 200 g Canned Chipotles, minced Photo courtesy of John Thompson They are sometimes also referred 3 cloves Garlic, minced to as: oyster caps, tree mushrooms, 100 g finely chopped Oyster Mushrooms tree oyster mushrooms and summer 1 Red Onion, minced oyster mushrooms. The French ¼ cup Parsley, minced refer to them as pleurotte and the 2 Tbsp. fresh Thyme Japanese may refer to them as 3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil shimenji 625 g Pork trim, minced The flavour of raw oyster 2 Tbsp. Plum Wine mushrooms is quite robust and 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce slightly peppery but becomes much To taste Coarse Salt milder when cooked. To taste Cracked Black Pepper They are available in some areas year-round, particularly in Procedure: specialty produce and Asian · Sauté garlic, onion, chipotle, mushroom, salt, pepper and thyme in markets. Young oyster mushrooms olive oil until onions are transparent (1 ½” in diameter or less) are · Cool above mixture and set aside considered the best eating. You · With a food processor mince the pork until smooth can also purchase canned oyster · Combine onion mixture, pork, parsley, plum wine and mushrooms which are best rinsed Worcestershire in a non reactive bowl (glass or stainless steel) before cooking. · Season with extra salt and pepper to taste · Bake in a buttered casserole dish or tinfoil or use to stuff chops, chicken, tenderloin, etc. DougOveres

To eat or not to eat before, Andrus had consumed some growing early in the year, in (continued from page 6) inky caps without alcohol and then eastern North America that was had consumed some alcohol later causing some severe gastric lepiota, amanita, cortinarius, that week with another mushroom poisonings The Inky Cap? It turns clitocybe, gyromitras and allies and meal. He had a terrible reaction out that he had no reaction to the of course all “little brown and a very unpleasant few days Inky Cap and red wine. Will I be mushrooms”. As well I certainly with an epic mushroom poisoning. eating Inky Cap this summer? would not experiment with large The nagging question he had, was Probably, but I think I will still amounts of any mushroom, it a big beautiful King Bolete like avoid the wine or beer with dinner. including those known edibles that mushroom he ate that caused his I have been eating for the first previous poisoning or was it the Note: This article was meant time. consumption of the alcohol that for education and discussion and Why would Andrus Voitk reacted with the earlier is not trying to encourage people to consider the combination of alcohol consumption of Inky Caps that was eat unidentified mushrooms. Any and Inky Cap? While I consider the culprit? Some more research experimentation should never be Andrus’ choice of meals suspect if did reveal reports that there was a done on unidentified mushrooms. not down right foolish, there was King Bolete-like mushroom some method to his madness. Years Martin Osis www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2010 No. 1 9 and by e-mails from all over ❏ Ballot boxes for votes were placed A Alberta. Total number of votes with support and permission at received was 2586, with a clear John Janzen Nature Centre, winner, Leccinum boreale Provincial Museum of Alberta, Provincial capturing 39.8% of the ballot Devonian Botanic Garden, with 1030 votes. Pleurotus Ukrainian Cultural Village, Mushroom ostreatus gained 34.9% with 903 Northern Forestry Centre, Parks votes, trailed by Hericium and Protected Areas Office and ramosum receiving 653 votes for Volunteer Conference, U of A How many of 25.3% of the ballots. Mycology Department, Alberta our members know Health Agriculture Network, what Alberta’s · In spite of all the attention, this Junior Forest Warden offices and provincial mushroom initiative went quiet due to camps, Devon Chiropractic Office, is? Go ahead – take a difficulties finding an appropriate Edmonton in Bloom, Edmonton guess! MLA to further our cause, and Horticultural Society, and the Long-term because of looming provincial Ellerslie Tea Party, members know the elections. answer, but some of ❏ Sorrentino’s Restaurant invited us our newer members · However, in early 2009 Robert to display our ballot boxes and may not even realize that we have one Rogers had initial discussions with voting posters at all eight of their – and they are right, so far…. Mr. Carl Benito, MLA for locations throughout Alberta. When we were known as the Edmonton-Mill Woods. Mr. Benito ❏ Funding grant for educational Edmonton Mycological Society, some of became quite interested in our resources was provided by the project, and agreed to assist us our members came up with the idea Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks with it. that Alberta should have a Provincial & Wildlife Foundation $1896.00. Mushroom. After all, Alberta recognizes the following official · March 9, 2009: Mr. Benito ❏ Initial funding was provided by emblems: flower (Wild Rose), tree presented Motion 502 to the the Edmonton Mycological Society (Lodgepole Pine), fish (Bulltrout), bird Alberta Legislature. Moved by Mr. $500.00. (Great Horned Owl), rock (Petrified Benito: “Be it resolved that the ❏ EMS volunteers logged over 800 Wood), mammal (Big Horn Sheep), and Legislative Assembly urge the hours by end of Sept. 04 on this even an official grass (Rough Fescue). Government to introduce portion of the project. And so, in early 2004, the “Pick amendments to the Emblems of a Wild Mushroom, Alberta!” Albert Act to designate Leccinum (PAWMA) Committee was born, with boreale, also known as “Northern What happens next? We Melanie Fjoser appointed as Chair. As Roughstem” or “Red Cap”, as the (AMS) are still pursuing this follows are the milestones so far: official mushroom of Alberta.” A initiative, and are again seeking debate followed. The question being assistance from our members to · Spring 2004: A Nomination put, the motion was agreed to. influence their own MLAs to urge the Campaign resulted in a variety of Government to introduce the required · Therefore, the motion passed. species put forth as possibilities. amendments to the Emblems of Kudos to you, Mr. Carl Benito! Alberta Act. Recently, our Director-at- · Summer 2004: Candidates were Large Garry Popowich has been selected based on certain criteria – making overtures on our behalf to easily identifiable; widespread in During the vote to choose which friends in government, and we are Alberta; edible; and, non- Alberta’s mushroom, the “Pick a hoping that future discussions will pathenogenic. The three finalists Wild Mushroom, Alberta!” prove fortuitous. were: Leccinum boreale (red campaign received extensive support AMS members: we may send cap), Pleurotus ostreatus from local and provincial organizations and businesses: you urgent time-sensitive emails (oyster mushroom), and requesting your help to influence your Hericium ramosum ❏ TV, radio, and newspaper coverage. MLA in this regard. We often get very (combtooth mushroom). ❏ Letter of support from the late short notice of meetings, so we very · Extensive media coverage ensued Honourable Lois Hole, much appreciate your speedy around the province following Lt. Governor of Alberta. responses and assistance. Thanks to press releases about the upcoming everyone for your support! Alberta Learning provided e-mail vote. ❏ contacts for Alberta schools. Melanie Fjoser, Chair · Fall 2004: Votes were collected by “Pick a Wild Mushroom, ballot box, mail, fax, our website Alberta!” committee Alberta Mycological Society

10 Spring 2010 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws EXPO 2009

The Alberta Mycological stroll into the Garden – at the what is likely their first foray. Society’s Annual Mushroom gate, they were handed AMS- ❖ Displays of books, field guides, EXPO 2009 was held again in the prepared leaflets, complete with posters, articles, photos – all beautiful Pine Pavilion at the map of how to find our EXPO, and great mushroom stuff for sale, Devonian Botanic Garden on a schedule of our events. Once assisted by our friendly August 9. I believe that this year these folks found us, this is what Membership and Sales we received the most visitors ever, they encountered: volunteers. and staff of DBG has assured us that we are ❖ Roving Fungi a big draw for visitors Ambassadors – ready to for this one-day engage in conversation with annual event. Here is visitors about all things a re-cap for those of fungal; these folks really you who attended, and worked the room! for those of you who ❖ Last, but certainly didn’t (but will want to not least, the next year). MUSHROOMS! Hundreds On the Saturday of species of mushrooms before the EXPO, all nestled in habitat features: AMS members are mosses, logs, pine and spruce asked to scour their needles, berries, sod, etc. And favourite mushroom what mushrooms! Visitors picking spots to glean were suitably impressed with as many species of our vast and incredible fungi as possible. But Photo courtesy of Melanie Fjoser. collection. the day is not over yet! Of course, the most Saturday evening will ❖ The fragrant smell of fresh common question was “Can I eat find volunteers ready to help set up mushroom soup, lovingly that?” But as we all know, that is tables and displays as soon as prepared by Student Chef often the first question of the possible, so that at least some of the Debbie Pinder. Her soup sold budding mycophile; our EXPO labour is done ahead. out before noon! But she also initiates many people each year Early, early on Sunday prepared other dishes for into the fascinating world of fungi, morning, volunteers again gather guests to experience, to stretch and they agree that their world is at the Pine Pavilion – now the the gourmet mushroom better for it! scramble begins, for the EXPO imagination – wonderful, Many thanks go to our begins at 11:00 am, and we will delicious mushroom member volunteers who worked need all the time we can get to concoctions. hard with our 2009 EXPO. Your assemble our displays. Our most efforts are much appreciated! As experienced identifiers begin to ❖ Two slide shows on Alberta well, special recognition goes to name the specimens, putting a pre- mushrooms, by our most Kerry Mulholland of the DBG who printed name to each one. This is a enthusiastic speaker, Martin is instrumental in organizing this cumbersome task, as each Osis. These were so popular, event, supplying us with great staff mushroom requires thought to that there was standing and to assist us – Ben in particular confirm identities. Meanwhile, overflowing room only! went well beyond the call of duty to others are setting up the kitchen, ❖ A Mushroom Walk in the accommodate us. sales / membership table, slide Garden, led by Bill Richards. Thank you DBG – we’ll see show area, and other individual When this event is announced, you again next year! display tables. the room empties, as Bill guides At 10:00 visitors began to a large number of guests on Melanie Fjoser www.wildmushrooms.ws Spring 2010 No. 1 11 Please Join Us!! All forays are undertaken at your own AMS Calendar of Events for 2010 risk. You are responsible for trans- portation and accommodation. March June August Annual General Meeting Daytime: Foray Location: Royal Glenora Evening: Lecture by 20 05 Pre-EXPO Foray Daytime Martin Osis Variety of specimens Topic: Where to Find Morels 14 President’s Dinner Location: Your favourite Cochrane Area Location: Royal Glenora Club pickin’ spot 20 Evening (Pre-register) Summer Mushroom 2010 AMS EXPO Course with Mike Schulz Display and Events April 19 Pre-registration with DBG 15 Location: Devonian Location: Devonian Botanic Garden Regular Meeting Botanic Garden 28 Topic: Morels Evening Foray Midsummer’s Location: McKinnon Night Foray at 25 Ravine, Edmonton 19/20 Peiter van der May Schoot’s near Breton Poplar Creek Natural Area Foray September Morels 15 Regular Meeting Location: TBA Topic: Using Keys Great Alberta Foray 23 Speaker: Martin Osis Pre-registration Spring Mushroom Course 3-6 required with Mike Schulz Location: Kananaskis 22 Pre-registration with DBG Country Location: Devonian July Botanic Garden Weekend Foray Bow Valley Foray Location: Weald Morel Count & Potluck Location: Bow Valley Location: Edmonton River 10-12 Campground 17 Prov. Park Valley 24 Lecture by Martin Osis Regular Meeting Topic: Into Medicinal Regular Meeting Speaker: TBA Mushrooms Francois Teste 22 26 Topic: TBA Mushroom Display during the day at Bow Alberta Wild 18 October Valley Prov. Park Mushrooms - Field Regular Meeting 27&29 to Plate (HOS88) Speaker: TBA Martin Osis Evening Foray 27 Pre-registration with NAIT Mill Woods Ravine, NAIT Hospitality Program 28 Edmonton 25

General Member Meetings Fourth Wednesday as listed above - Time: 7:00 pm Location: Riverbend Library

12 Spring 2010 No. 1 www.wildmushrooms.ws