Volume 48:4–5 September ⁄ October 2007 www.namyco.org
Touring France for Mushroom Hats: Could Anything Be Mushroom Lovers More Chic? by L. Anathea Brooks, M.S. by Dick Sieger
Those of you planning to attend No, not those cloches from Nord- the international foray in Poitou strom’s. These hats are made from at the end of October this year mushrooms by artisans in Bohemia, will be warmly welcomed in Romania, and Hungary. They look France. “Talking mushrooms” can like doeskin—yellow-brown and soft be your link to a richer experience with a short visor and odd, embossed in a land where they are taken appliqués. I bought mine, along with seriously. This invited note pro- a placemat, in the magnificent public vides a few ideas to round out a market in Budapest in 1999. The hat mushroom-focused trip to France. cost about $25. First, you probably want a I’ve been trying ever since to find good guide to the fungi of France. out how mushroom hats are made. Fortunately, Prof. Régis Corte- Paul Kroeger found references to cuisse, eminent mycologist and mushroom products of Eastern Europe current President of the Société in three books from his library. Mycologique de France—which, From The Romance of the Fungus like NAMA, gathers both profes- World, 1925, we learn that “while sional and amateur mycologists— amadou (Fomes fomentarius) finds in Alissa Allen models her mushroom hat. has contributed to several excel- various parts of the Continent, lent guides. Avoid less expansive, particularly in Bohemia, a variety of employment in addition to the usual translated guides and look for one [tinder]. Thus, not only are caps, aprons, and various articles of dress Guide des champignons de France et made from it, but also chest protectors, picture frames, ornaments and other articles.” Continued on page 10 The Dictionary of Economic Plants, 1966, tells us about “Fomes fomen- tarium,” writing that “Recently it has been used for manufacture of buttons, bedroom slippers, flower pots, smoking caps, etc. Used by dentists for In this issue: absorption and compressing,” This suggests two forms: hard, hollowed-out From the Editor ...... 2 conks, and soft fabric-like material. Forays and Announcements ...... 3 Therapeutics Materia Medica and Pharmacy, 1926, says that “AGARICUS CHIRURGORUM, Surgeons’ Agaric (Unofficial)—is the interior portion of Fungi in the News ...... 5 the fungus Fomes fomentarius, which grows on the trunks of beeches, Book Reviews ...... 8 birches, and oaks in Europe. It is prepared for use by boiling in weak lye Sustainability and Fungi...... 10 and beating with mallets, and then occurs in light, thin, yellowish-brown Key to Club Forayers ...... 12 pieces, soft and pliable, without odor and taste. . . . It was formerly used as a mechanical hemostatic, and for the purpose of moxa [material burned on Wildacres Application Form ...... 13 the skin as a counterirritant].” Riddles ...... 13 Storm, a fellow who studies primitive technologies, showed me a piece Obituary: Peter Katsaros ...... 14 of fabric that was similar to my placemat. It had been made by pounding Summer Mushroom Sightings .... 15 the interior tube layers of Fomes fomentarius into a felt. Adolph Ceska, who studied in Prague, wrote, “I have no idea about the Culinary Corner ...... 15
Mushroom of the Month ...... 16 Continued on page 7
1The Mycophile, September/October 2007 Moving? F R O M T H E E D I T O R Please send your new address, two weeks before you move, to Ann Bornstein Summer Mushroom Sightings NAMA Membership Secretary 336 Lenox Avenue Oakland, CA 94610-4675 A number of photos have come to me (I always enjoy them, so keep ’em
NAMA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions to support the scientific and educational activi- ties of the Association are always welcome and may be deductible as allowed by law. Gifts of any amount may be made for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and for memorials. Special categories include Friend of NAMA: $500–900 Benefactor: $1000–4900 Patron: $5000 and up Send contributions to Judith McCandless, Treasurer 330 Wildwood Place Louisville, KY40206-2523
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 2 FORAYS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
54th Charles Horton Peck Foray Foray Newfoundland & In the beginning, Dr. Orson Lock Haven, Pennsylvania Labrador Miller served us as mycologist, and September 21–23, 2007 September 28–30, 2007 Hope Miller did the recording. Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Through the years Drs. Greg The 2007 Charles Horton Peck Mueller, Patrick Leacock, and Annual New York State Mushroom Explore mushrooms in boreal forest, Dennis Desjardin also have been Foray unites lovers of mushrooms bogs, subarctic tundra, subalpine invited mycologists, with much and other fungi for a weekend of hilltop, coastal meadows and dunes. assistance from Drs. Coleman collecting and identification. Hosted Mycologist faculty includes Britt McCleneghan, Richard Baird, Owen since 1954 by a different volunteer Bunyard, Dave Malloch, Faye McConnell, Rod Tulloss, Bart Buyck, organizer each year, the foray will Murrin, Tuula Niskanen, Jorinde and Glenn Freeman. Additionally, be held this year in Sieg Conference Nuytinck, Greg Thorn, Gary Warren. Bill Roody, Donna Mitchell, Jay Center at Lock Haven University. Cost: about $200 CAD. Registration Justice, Dave Lewis and Glenn Guest speakers are Bill Russell, forms and more detailed information Boyd have given valuable skills and author of the new Field Guide to the should become available on our Web knowledge, to name just a few of Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and site, www.hnhs.ca. the enlightened. Somehow, we all the Mid-Atlantic, and Taylor Lock- have managed to get into the act wood, photographer and author of 2007 Gary Lincoff Mid Atlantic and contribute, even to the music the new book Chasing the Rain. Mushroom Foray and (on occasion) exotic dancing in September 15, 2007 the evenings. Ursula Pohl makes 4th Int’l Medicinal Mushroom magic with some of the offerings, Don’t miss out on one of the largest Conference and the dye contingent has gone forays in North America! Featured Llubljana, Slovenia wild with some of the hues they speaker is Gary Lincoff, plus guest September 23–27, 2007 have discovered. Gabrielle Zeigler mycologists Renee Lebeuf, Bill has tales to tell since she has Slovenia, a member state of the Russell, and Dave Miller. For more attended all but one of these forays. European Union will host IMMC4 in information see the Mar/Apr issue We originally held our displays in its historical capital, Ljubljana. The Mycophile or contact John Plischke the north classroom, under the event provides a creative and III, (724) 834-2358; email
3The Mycophile, September/October 2007 Forays and Announcements, 11th Annual SOMA Wild doors, or in a very sunny, hot continued from page 3 Mushroom Camp ’08 location. Otherwise, they last fine. January 19–21, 2008 Laurie has been doing them for To make this a very special event, Occidental, CA about five years and has some that we are requesting any sort of are that old and still look fine. The memorabilia that would be suitable Three days of great fun! Expert retail prices are 4x4 for $5.00, 6x6 for a display. Stories, old photo- speakers (TBA), forays, classes, for $8.50; 6x8 for $10.50; 8x8 for graphs, artwork and, heaven forbid, workshops, artwork, specimen $12.50; 8x10 for $15.50. Contact her old mushrooms are welcome. tables, feasts, presentations, mush- at
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 4 F U N G I I N T H E N E W S
Wow, the journals have really been new to science) of bioluminescent shown in the light and glowing in piling up over the busy summer mycenas from a single site in the dark (photos used with permis- months. From the latest two issues primary Atlantic Forest habitat in the sion of the author). For this study, of MSA’s Mycologia we find a Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto film exposure times ranged from 20 diversity of topics covered. Ribeira, São Paulo State, Brazil. to 50 minutes. These include two new taxa of From fungi that get around with Mycena, viz. M. asterina and M. Morels are fruiting . . . in the the help of arthropods . . . Greif lucentipes. Luminescence in Mycena pages of Mycological Research. and Currah (99[1]: 7–19) published a fera, M. singeri, and M. discobasis is The biotic and abiotic factors condi- survey of some 1,700 individual reported for the first time. In addi- tioning morel fruit body production saprophytic fungi, representing 65 tion, an undeterminable lumines- are incompletely known. (Of course, species, that were carried by arthro- cent Mycena species is described, and countless theories, myths, and pods and caught in baited traps set additional specimens of Gerronema superstitions exist and are overheard in aspen-dominated woodland in viridilucens are documented. each Spring across North America.) western Canada. And just what does The authors summarize known Mihail et al. (111[3]: 339–46) one use as bait for saprophytic bioluminescent species of Mycena examined spatial and temporal fungi? The authors—no doubt to be and provide a discussion of possible patterns of Morchella esculenta featured in an upcoming episode of reasons for glowing in the dark. Is it fruiting over five years in a wooded “Dirtiest Jobs”—used coyote dung, to attract arthropods—possible site in Missouri. (Naturally, they moose dung, white-rotted wood, vectors of spores? Is it to warn off won’t tell you exactly where!) brown-rotted wood, and fiberglass mycophagous arthropods? Is it Fruiting onset was inversely corre- (as a control). The fungi were simply a random process? Is it lated with spring air and soil tem- isolated in pure culture and identi- merely a byproduct of another peratures, whereas abundance was fied. Isolates of cosmopolitan fungal chemical process, such as scaveng- positively correlated with rain events taxa such as species of Cladospo- ing free radicals formed during (>10 mm) during the 30 days rium, Penicillium, and Beauveria were normal metabolism? The answer to preceding fruiting. The two years the most numerous. Taxa with all these questions is . . . maybe. with the greatest fruiting had the predilections for specific substrates, More work is ongoing, but the shortest fruiting seasons (6–7 days). such as Myxotrichum and Crypten- researchers remain in the dark, so to Fruiting season length was posi- doxyla, which are known inhabitants speak. (The paper describes how tively correlated with soil warming, of cellulose-rich materials (e.g. specimens must be collected in the suggesting that a narrow range of rotted wood), and various represen- dark.) The authors note, “Collecting optimum soil temperatures favor the tatives of the keratinophilic Onyge- specimens at night is a productive, explosive production of fruit bodies. nales were recovered from arthro- albeit potentially dangerous, method All woody stems of at least 1 cm pods attracted respectively to baits of documenting the diversity of diameter were mapped and stem rich in cellulose and keratin. If bioluminescent fungi.” Remember, diameter and crown condition were you’re keeping score at home, this work was done in the tropical noted. Morel fruit bodies were Diptera (the two-winged, true flies) rainforests of Brazil. significantly closer to stems of Carya were the most numerous arthropods Another idea to ponder is that spp., Tilia americana, and Ulmus caught and carried the widest diver- within the genus Mycena there are americana than predicted by the sity and most numbers of fungal at least 33 species, from 16 sections, frequencies of these woody species species per individual arthropod. known to bioluminesce. Many more or their contribution to the total This research is further evidence do not, of course. And this begs the basal area on the site. The spatial that bugs and fungi really know how question: did bioluminescence pattern of M. esculenta fruiting to get along! evolve once and was the trait lost appears to be associated with many different times throughout vegetation pattern, whereas the . . . to fungi that stay put but history, or did it evolve many onset and abundance of fruiting are (possibly) attract arthropods, different and independent times determined by the interaction of using bioluminescence. The cover within the genus? Of course, the spring temperatures with availability of the latest issue of Mycologia former scenario is more parsimoni- of supporting precipitation. features a photo of bioluminescent ous. Either way, the trait seems to I have a couple additional notes mushrooms taken from a paper by be of some benefit as it’s retained in on this paper. I was a little disap- Desjardin et al. (99[2]: 317–31) so many species of fungi. Pictured pointed to see so few specimens describing six species (two that are on page 15 is Mycena lucentipes Continued on page 6
5The Mycophile, September/October 2007 Fungi in the News, carbohydrate from Hohenbuehelia growth of melanized Cladosporium continued from page 5 serotina fruit bodies” by Chen and sphaerospermum cells under limited Lin and “Effect of selected culture nutrients conditions. This raises collected for this study: from 2001 to parameters on the growth of Hohen- intriguing questions about a poten- 2005, respectively, they collected 35, buehelia petaloides mycelium” by tial role for melanin in energy 14, 58, 8, and 16 ascocarps per Zhu et al. capture and utilization. season. The first day of fruiting The role of melanin in micro- ranged days 104–110 of each year. . . . and other fungi are working organisms living in high electromag- Length of fruiting season, which has on suntans in eastern Europe. netic radiation fluxes is even more got to be way less than in the north- With summer all around us, we can intriguing when the pigment is ern parts of North America, was 6, thank a chemical called melanin considered from a paleobiological 10, 7, 13, and 15, respectively. Maxi- that protects our skin from harmful perspective. Many fungal fossils mum air temperatures ranged 22– amounts of light radiation coming appear to be melanized. Melanized 30ºC, and minimum air temps from the sun. Fungi rely on mela- fungal spores are common in the ranged 0.3–4ºC. Maximum soil nin, too. Melanin is a high-molecu- sediment layers of the early Creta- temperatures ranged 12.6–19ºC; lar-weight pigment, ubiquitous in ceous period when many species of minimum soil temps changed very nature, with a variety of biological animals and plants died out, which little, ranging 9.7–10.7ºC. Besides functions. The term “melanin” coincides with the Earth’s crossing water, no other abiotic factors seem originates from melanos—a Greek the “magnetic zero” resulting in the to be that tightly correlated to the word for black. Believe it or not, loss of its “shield” against cosmic amount of fruitbodies produced. many fungi constitutively synthesize radiation. Radiation from a putative However, there seems to be a melanin, which is likely to confer a passing star called Nemesis has also correlation between number of survival advantage in the environ- been suggested as a cause of extinc- fruitings and length of season: the ment by protecting against UV and tion events. The proliferation of more fruitings, the shorter the solar radiation. melanotic fungi may even have season. Melanin pigments are ubiqui- contributed to the mass extinctions tous in nature. Melanized microor- at the end of Cretaceous period. A George Poinar has discovered ganisms inhabit some remarkably symbiotic association of plants and a countless species of fossilized extreme environments, including melanotic fungus that allows for insects entombed within ancient high altitude, Arctic, and Antarctic extreme thermotolerance has been chunks of amber. In a recent issue regions. Most dramatically, mela- attributed to heat dissipating proper- of Mycological Research he provides nized fungal species colonize the ties of melanin. Melanotic fungi evidence of mycoparasitism and walls of the highly radioactive inhabit the extraordinarly harsh hypermycoparasitism (111[4]: 503– damaged reactor at Chernobyl and climate of Antarctica. Hence, mela- 06) demonstrated in Early Creta- surrounding soils. Dadachova et al. nins are ancient pigments that ceous Burmese amber. The agaric, published these findings, as well as probably have been selected because Palaeoagaracites antiquus gen. sp. observations of the resistance of they enhance the survival of mela- nov., is parasitized by the myco- melanized fungi to ionizing radia- nized fungi in diverse environments parasite Mycetophagites atrebora gen. tion, and suggest a role for this and, perhaps incidentally, in various sp. nov., which in turn is parasitized pigment in radioprotection in the hosts. The emergence of melanin as by the hyperparasite Entropezites free access online research journal a non-specific bioprotective material patricii gen. sp. nov. This discovery Public Library of Science (2007; may be a result of the relative ease shows that sophisticated patterns of 5: 1–13). The researchers hypothe- with which these complicated aro- fungal parasitism were well devel- size that ionizing radiation could matic structures can be synthesized oped some 100 million years ago. change the electronic properties of from a great variety of precursors. The mushroom host in this study is melanin and might enhance the Despite the high prevalence of the oldest known agaric mushroom growth of melanized microorganisms. melanotic microorganisms in radio- ever found. Research assays showed in- active environments, it is unlikely creased metabolic activity of mela- that melanin is synthesized solely Hohenbuehelia are fruiting in nized strains of Cryptococcus neofor- for the purposes of protection China . . . I was intrigued to find mans cells relative to non-melanized (shielding) from ionizing radiation. among the pages of the latest issue cell strains. Melanized Wangiella On the other hand, biological pig- (Vol. 14, No. 1) of the prominent dermatitidis and C. neoformans cells ments play a major role in photosyn- Chinese journal Acta Edulis Fungi exposed to ionizing radiation ap- thesis by converting the energy of that the wild mushroom Hohenbue- proximately 500 times higher than light into chemical energy. Chloro- helia is becoming an important background grew significantly faster phylls and carotenoids absorb light cultivated species in the Far East. than non-irradiated melanized cells of certain wavelengths and help Two papers describe the state of the or irradiated albino mutants. In convert photonic energy into chemi- research in China: “Extraction of addition, radiation enhanced the cal energy during photosynthesis. The Mycophile, September/October 2007 6 From the New York Times . . . umns. Maggie Rogers is taking over current issue of MTJ seems to be the Some ten years ago, about 13,000 myco-stamping. She’s always done a sulfur shelf mushroom, one of my hazelnut trees inoculated with great job stamping around the personal favorites! There are several Périgord black truffle spores were forests, but now she will be direct- articles, recipes, artwork, and photos planted by the Wine and Truffle ing her focus on mycophilately; of this favorite summertime edible. Company near Manjimup, south of there’s a great article on how she Along with all the other articles, Perth, in Western Australia. In the got started in the hobby. artwork, puzzles, and surprises, each last couple of years, the plantation Leon mentions that a possible issue of Mushroom the Journal is has been tripled in size to about 250 future project for MTJ—and a big always eagerly anticipated! —Britt acres, with oak trees planted, too. one indeed—might be the develop- Dogs that had been trained to ment of an “anthology of mush- detect cocaine and explosives were rooms in world literature.” I would Mushroom Hats, given a glamorous new career: last REALLY love to see this. Like many continued from year they sniffed out more than 200 mycophiles, I have a pretty good page 1 pounds of black truffles. This year collection of mushroom literature the harvest has quadrupled, export- and lore, fact and fiction, plus ing has begun, and restaurants in several file cabinets of reprinted the United States, including the research papers and reviews. I tip French Laundry in Yountville, Cali- my hat to Leon for even proposing fornia, and Lever House in New the project and think that its comple- York, are using the truffles. Because tion would be of great service—and Australia is in the southern hemi- entertainment—to all of us. Leon sphere and the seasons are reversed, says that many stories involving black truffles in July are something mushrooms, “even those by famous hats. I saw only one that was in the of a surprise. authors, are not well known today” Charles University collections, and Since worldwide production of and uses “The Purple Pileus” by H. when we were young students, we fine black truffles has dropped G. Wells as an example, reprinting had lots of laughs when our assis- sharply in the last ten years, Austra- the story within this current issue of tant professor put it on his head.” lia’s news is welcome for devotees MTJ. (Despite not being “well Patrice Benson solved the of Tuber melanosporum. The truffles, known,” it’s ironic that the very mystery. She attended the 12th which are intensely aromatic, inky same story was printed previously in International Fungus and Fiber black, and sometimes the size of The Mycophile [March/April 2007], Conference in Haslev, Denmark. tennis balls, are in season from June wink.) A number of other possible There she bought four mushroom to September. Truffle hunts are open future projects for MTJ also are hats and a purse from Ann-Christine to the public ($55 Australian, with discussed, but you’re going to have Berencsy, whose father made them wine, from wineandtruffle.com.au). to subscribe (just $25 per year) to in Hungary. He uses large Fomes New York fine foods retailer find out more. conks. These are hard to come by, so Balducci’s sells the truffles by Taking over for Maggie and her he can make only 20 a year. He special order for $1,495 a pound; the usual jaunt through the world of starts by stripping off the active pore smallest order is a quarter pound, at mushrooms in the literature will be layer and cutting off the woody top $373.75. Orders may be placed at a new column, entitled “Caught in layer. This leaves him with the any Balducci’s store. the Fungal Web,” by Susan Goldhor. fibrous interior. The interior is In her first appearance in the soaked for three days in a weak lye From the pages of Mushroom the journal, Ms. Goldhor does a great solution he makes with birch ashes Journal of Wild Mushrooming . . . job with giving us her take (and and water. The result is mashed into And finally, a wrap-up from the using four pages to do it) on what a flattish mass and then molded and Spring issue of the always-enjoyable was a terrific article by David Rose dried. The material can be glued on Mushroom the Journal. It’s worth (“The poisoning of Count Achilles de forms and pieced together, but he seeking out a copy of this issue for Vecchj and the Origins of American tries to get large conks for the the Bolete key with descriptions of Amateur Mycology”) in our own outside of the hats. each of the major groups. Addition- journal, McIlvainea (Spring, 2006). Patrice fielded some questions ally, editor Leon Shernoff has given She comes up with several interest- about her hat when she wore it at us a preview of things to come for ing perspectives on his paper and the exhibit: the venerated magazine. With the takes a good look at our own name- “What happens when it rains?” retirement of Harley Barnhart sake, Charles McIlvaine. I look (She doesn’t know.) “How do they (apparently he means it this time!), forward to her future contributions. make them?” (Now we all know.) there will be a slight shuffling of And finally, I was especially “Are they edible?” (Patrice won’t eat contributors and their usual col- delighted that the theme of the her hat.)
7The Mycophile, September/October 2007 B O O K R E V I E W S
Mushrooms of the Southeastern agy, including a handful of “artery- All in all, another top-notch book United States, by Alan E. Bessette, clogging” (according to an anony- . . . but it’s $95, with no chance (at William C. Roody, Arleen R. mous source) recipes, plus glossary, least currently) to opt for a less Bessette, and Dail L. Dunaway. list of recommended readings, and expensive paperback version. So it Syracuse University Press, 2007. indexes to common and scientific could be a tough decision for those ISBN 0-646-44674-6 cloth (not names. whose disposable income is mostly available in paperback as of June Between the front and back being diverted to the gas tank. To 2007). $95. E-mail
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 8 scribed as a hybrid of an introduc- their courses. Graduate students of Dr. Barron also has been awarded tory Mycology textbook and a Mycology, Plant Pathology, and the honor of Distinguished Mycolo- guidebook to all the groups of fungi Microbiology will find the album a gist from the Mycological Society of (and other organisms, historically convenient way to review or supple- America. He devotes much of his classified as fungi). If rated as a ment their knowledge of fungi. time to collecting and photographing textbook, it gets superior marks. The classification system followed is mushrooms and other macrofungi Ditto with regards to it as a guide- simple and non-detailed to permit found across the northern United book. Put the two together—and, instructors to impose their own States and Canada. He has written considering the pittance that one preferred systems without conflict. one of the best and most widely needs to pay to purchase a copy, The bulk of the album covers major used guidebooks on mushrooms of anyone with any interest in any divisions of fungi and fungus-like North America and his Web site is facet of Mycology (student, profes- organisms. Each major section is fabulous—do yourself a favor and sional, amateur mushroom hunter, tagged in the album for easy “flip” check it out. While you’re there, pick et al.) should be delighted to own it. access. The album uses a software up a copy of MycoAlbum. You’ll be MycoAlbum is not truly a stand- program called FlipAlbum that very glad you did! —Britt alone e-book, but an album (on CD- allows rapid access to all the content ROM) with more than a thousand (!) of the album in several different annotated illustrations of fungi and ways outlined in album instructions. Two black truffle mysteries from their morphological structures that Major sections cover the following Ursula Hoffmann: now that the title would usually be covered in a divisions with the number of has caught your attention, I can classical introductory Mycology lab illustrations in each section in reveal that this is a review of two course. The album is a visual parenthesis: Myxomycota and murder mysteries. resource that students can use to Acrasiomycota (61), Hyphae and interpret their own microscopic Hyphal Modifications (45), Chytri- Pierre Magnan, Death in the mounts or specimens. Dr. Barron’s diomycota (12), Oomycota (30), Truffle Wood. (St. Martin’s Press, seems to feel that it is nearly Zygomycota + Trichomycetes (62), 2007, translated from the French Le impossible for students to listen to a Ascomycota (135), Deuteromycota commissaire dans la truffière, lecture, see tons and tons of images (95), Basidiomycota (170), Lichens 1978, by Patricia Clancy.) The (Mycology is a very visual subject, (14). These sections take up two inhabitants of a small village in isn’t it?), and retain much of the thirds of the Album. Provence cultivate and harvest information. MycoAlbum allows The remaining third contains truffles, their main source of students to review the same mate- illustrations and information on income. The season is November 15 rial over and over again, thus general aspects of fungus biology, to February 15; if lucky, a villager reinforcing the material covered in including Fungi in Homes and can collect four kilograms of truffles the classroom. Gardens, Antibiotics, Wood Decay, in one day and sell them for 300 Most image files are at 1024 x Mycorrhizae, Sporophagy and francs a kilo. All the characters in 768 pixel format and will go to full Mycophagy, Bioluminescence, Dutch this novel are crazy about truffles. screen size on a 17" LCD screen Elm Disease, Parasexual Cycle, Some store them for a couple of with excellent clarity. At the begin- Ingoldian Fungi, Stored Cereals, days with eggs so that the truffles ning of each major section are a few Biocontrol, etc. An Appendix covers infuse their perfume into the eggs; pages of “MiniNotes” to give stu- some interesting but nonessential some eat them right out of the dents some background on the area areas such as Mushroom Identifica- basket, grit and all, the truffle juice under study. tion, Parasites and Predators of running down their chins; one starts The Instructor’s Version of the Microscopic Animals, Mushroom killing villagers for their blood to CD has an Image Folder with an Toxins, Photography, etc. enhance the production of truffle Image Album containing 600 non- MycoAlbum is very user friendly. trees. . . . encrypted downloadable images at It takes only a minute or two to load So, villagers disappear and 800 x 600 pixels accessible by onto a computer; the album needs Commissaire Laviolette, a favorite instructors for use in power-point Windows 2000, ME, or XP but does French fictional detective, is called lectures, reviews, quizzes etc. (I not work with MacIntosh computers. in. Had he paid immediate attention found this a particularly good idea I applaud George Barron for to Roseline, the truffle pig and and very easy to use; for details see developing such a handy and easy to heroine of this very French www.uoguelph.ca/~gbarron.) use tool for mycological instruction. charming novel, he could have Not only for instructors of strict Of course he knows a thing or two solved the case right away. Mycology courses, MycoAlbum is on the topic; he is a leading expert valuable as a source of information in the study of mushrooms and Continued on page 11 and images for Microbiology and other fungi and has been honored by General Biology instructors wishing the British Mycological Society as to augment the fungal component of one of its elite Centenary Fellows. 9The Mycophile, September/October 2007 potentially powerful tool in reducing Mais oui, la belle France existe pour Sustainability and Fungi: the oxidation of carbon-hydrogen les amants (des champignons), compounds that produce carbon continué de la page 1 The Big Picture dioxide and contribute to the widely discussed “greenhouse effect.” d’Europe by Régis Cortecuisse and by Larry Evans Schemes for carbon sequestration Bernard Duhem (Delachaux et range from far-out (pumping carbon- Niestlé, Paris) for 3,000+ fungi, Reflecting now on the frontiers of dioxide gas into deep wells under illustrated by paintings, or Photo- mushroom cultivation, it seems to high pressure) to pragmatic (planting guide des champignons d’Europe by me that we are on the edge of more trees) and even common- Régis Cortecuisse (also from transforming the way we view sensical (improving vehicle effi- Delachaux et Niestlé, Paris) for over agricultural and yard “waste” carbon ciency, outlawing large personal 900 photographed fungi. The best sequestration, and resource vehicles) which would earn credits— bookshop in Paris for natural history management. The only problem is and thereby money—from the fossil is Librairie Thomas at 28 rue Fossés that it challenges centuries of fuel burning entities. Saint-Bernard, located across the primitive habits. Yet, each year millions of tons of street from the university in the 5th Recently I have been advising carbon are needlessly and waste- Arrondissement and not far from the people in their efforts or investiga- fully burned off in slash pile burns, Jardin Botanique. The garden also tions into transforming their litter whether from logging, agriculture, has a modest book and gift shop. If piles into mushroom compost in or other land management opera- you cannot visit Librairie Thomas, Africa, South America, Fiji, Japan, tions. According to USFS estimates, many FNAC bookstores have a and elsewhere around the world. A 334 million metric tons, or 368 decent collection of guides, as well tropical pig farmer looks at how best million dry tons, of this biomass is as a good selection of books and to utilize tons of pig manure and sitting out there waiting to be seasonal magazines to help you cook tropical hardwood shavings. A burned every year. Or not? Is this a mushrooms à la française. Brazilian woman seeks to identify waste product? Not yet! Carbon Speaking of eating mushrooms, and preserve the fungi in her tiny dioxide, the result of burning it, yes are you tempted to visit that gastro- Atlantic rainforest reserve. A man in that is a waste product. But organic nomic palace La Maison de la Zimbabwe learns to grow oyster matter, reduced carbon, is not. The Truffe, 19 place de la Madeleine in mushrooms on local agricultural energy stored in such plant material the 8th Arrondissement? Not only wastes. A farmer in South Africa is a valuable resource and should be can you gaze through their windows produces oyster mushrooms two managed as such. at perfect huge truffles in season months after getting spores, and a (joining the crowds), but there is a man in Tennessee relates his [Larry Evans practices what he tiny but exceptional restaurant successful garden-propagation of his preaches: he sustainably harvests wild inside the shop where for a small oyster mushroom years after buying mushrooms from the Pacific Northwest fortune you can taste them, too. (I a kit. A group of young women for profit. The Fungal Jungal is write this in Italy, having had fresh forms a mushroom cultivation study operated by the Western Montana “scorzone” or Tuber aestivum last group in Bolivia. A young man in Mycological Association as a 501(c)3 night for a fraction of what it might Bangladesh seeks support for the educational nonprofit organization. cost in Paris.) Fauchon and la establishment of a mushroom farm Membership and donations may be Grande Épicerie de Paris also have he feels can feed thousands of sent to P.O. Box 7306, Missoula, MT beautiful displays of wild mush- people a diet higher in protein. 59807. rooms in season, as do many local These are the sorts of things that Sustainability is quickly becoming outdoor markets where you might the Internet has assisted me in THE topic of discussion for mankind. want to purchase a wicker mush- doing through the Fungal Jungal Future articles are planned for The room basket. Every neighborhood Web site. These are the micro-stories Mycophile, and the next issue of seems to have its shops dedicated to that get lost among tales of giant McIlvainea will feature several full- the gastronomy of southwest puffballs and toxin-busting whiterot length research and review papers on France, and these always include fungi, but they show the importance the topic of sustainability and the black truffles and foie gras, although of increasing awareness of fungi important role fungi will play in the I don’t consider that the cost of and the vital role they play in our future of our planet.—Britt] preserved truffles is matched by planet’s life. But now they emerge their flavor. Restaurants will adver- as a factor in one of the biggest tise outside if they are serving wild issues of our time: global climate mushrooms such as girolles (chant- change. erelles), cèpes (boletes), or morilles Carbon sequestration credits and (morels). If the idea of having lunch the entire economy in carbon trading (weekdays only, open for group that they have spawned represents a
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 10 banquets only in the evening) in the champignon.com), which houses a effort to demonstrate any observable chalk caves where champignons de commercial production facility, changes in seasonality and occur- Paris were first grown commercially “museum” of wild fungi, and a rence of fungi in France due to inside the cliffs above the River tasting café. The NAMA trip in- climate change. There is concern in Seine appeals, make the trip to Les cludes a visit to this museum, which France, and more generally in Crayères des Montquartiers* in Issy- is worth taking advantage of be- Europe, that fungal diversity may be les-Moulineaux, on the southern cause it is not accessible by public changing. Perhaps the European edge of Paris, at 5 chemin des Mont- transportation. As for truffles, the mycologists will inspire NAMA to quartiers (access between 141 and Musée de la Truffe du Tricastin, in undertake similar monitoring back 141bis avenue de Verdun). The Web St Paul Trois Châteaux, in Provence, home, as some of us recommended site is www.crayeres-montquartiers is thoroughly delightful, and demon- in the early 1990s. .com, or telephone 01 46 44 74 67. strates the biology, life cycle, and Local mushroom clubs usually gastronomic history of Tuber melano- * Not visited yet by the author, a hold an annual mushroom fair, and sporum. Another such museum is NAMA member currently residing the national Société Mycologique de the Ecomusée de la Truffe* in outside Paris. France holds its fair this year 17–21 Sorges en Périgord, in the Dordogne. October at Parc Floral in the Bois de The foray organized by NAMA [Anathea is an American-born myco- Vincennes just to the east of Paris. in the Poitou-Charentes region is an phile and NAMA member living and This is easily reached by public excellent idea. If for any reason you working in France. After a number of transportation (www.mycofrance are unable to attend it, or simply e-mail conversations, I invited her to .com). Fresh material collected on want to add other forays to your trip submit this timely (the NAMA Exotic forays in the region is displayed to France, several of the country’s Foray to France is just around the with scientific and French names, regional natural parks sometimes corner!) perspective of mushrooming in which will help you learn a bit of offer guided forays. You can try the France, mushroom guidebook review, the language. Another major show main parks Web site www.parcs- and description of some upcoming is held normally the fourth week of naturels-regionaux.tm.fr/fr/ events and places for the Franco- October in Bédarieux, in the Langue- decouvrir/parcs.asp) to find parks in mycophile. —Britt] doc region northwest of Montpellier, areas that interest you. Don’t expect by the Association Mycologique et anyone to speak English, but they Botanique de l’Hérault et des Hauts just might. Forests in the region Reviews, continued from page 9 Cantons. At press time the dates for around Paris often combed by mush- this year had not been fixed, but you roomers include the forests of Peter Mayle, Anything Considered. can check their Web site (www Fontainebleau, St. Germain-en-Laye, (Vintage Books, 1997.) An extremely .ambhhc.org/index.htm) for updates Versailles, and Montmorency, all of wealthy money and truffle lover in under Journées mycologiques. The which are accessible by train. France pays a research chemist to show includes the possi-bility of The landscape of France, par- develop a formula for inoculating participating in organized forays in a ticularly the northern portion, is oak trees that will produce lots of variety of different habitats and then highly modified by man. Industrial truffles within two years! The having the material identified by agriculture, industry and develop- finished formula and all research mycologists. Two other fairs in the ment have left few traces of the data are enclosed in a custom-made, south are the Journées mycologiques original forest cover, and even custom-locked case. The secret leaks de Florac,* in the Parc National des “natural” areas have been used for out, the chemist is murdered, the Cévennes (29–30 September) and the thousands of years by man. French case is stolen by a competitor who Grand Salon Annuel du Champignon central authority and technology has holds an auction: bidders are the et des Plantes d’automne* in led to a different landscape than in French Government wanting to hold Montpellier (13–15 October). You’ll North America. Pollution and har- on to the franchise for Périgord need a rental car to reach Florac, but vesting have also affected mycologi- truffles, the Italians who want to put the remote mountain park is well cal diversity. In addition, much of the French truffle competitors out of worth visiting. Montpellier, on the France has been suffering a drought business, the Japanese who love other hand, is easily reached by over the past three years, and tem- both truffles and money, other high-speed train and boasts a peratures have been notably higher. bidders for the millions they could university and science park atmo- This has resulted in advancement of make from this. . . . Follow the case sphere. the fruiting dates for some species and enjoy this really witty novel. France boasts a number of of fungi. I have found (and eaten) in —Ursula Hoffmann museums dedicated to mushrooms May and June this year species that and more specifically to truffles. The normally begin to show up in July or museum closest to Paris is the August. The Société Mycologique de Musée du Champignon* in Saumur, France has begun coordinating data in the Loire Valley (www.musee-du- collection from its members in an 11 The Mycophile, September/October 2007 KEY TO MUSHROOM CLUB FORAYERS 3c. Persons with baskets with few species, often associated with others. Vocalization always questioning such as “What Although experts estimate species of fungi in the Pacific do you think of this?” “Have we got this one?” Mycophila Northwest may possibly number in the thousands, most perplexa or M. initia of us recognize, at most, a hundred or so, if that many. Thus the popularity of field guides and mushroom “keys,” 4. Mycoedulis and Mycophagus Groups step-by-step decisions that, we hope, will allow us to trace the mushroom in hand back to a name. 4a. Persons present only at the beginning and at the end of forays, generally shy and retiring, often returning with full Keys to identifying mushroom species range from baskets. Vocalization: None. Mycoedulis areanus David Arora’s omnibus Mushrooms Demystified to the keys to individual mushroom genera generated by the 4b. Persons generally clumped or in loose groups, often Pacific Northwest Key Council. What we really lack is a moving initially rapidly along well-defined routes, quadrupeds key to mushroom hunters. Face it, mushroomers are a rarely present. Always successful with full baskets. Vocaliza- confusing lot. tion: Various, often loud. Mycophagus sociabilis** Presented below for your edification is a key to mushroom forayers created by an anonymous member of 4c. Persons wandering between groups, often with incom- the Mycological Society of Toronto. Although created for plete baskets and holding several fungi in hand at any one MST, the key should prove just as useful for PSMS. When time. Vocalization: “Can I eat this one?” and “Is this one using this key, bear in mind that, as the author warns, good?” Mycophagus dubius species complexes do occur and create additional 5. Micromycologia Group speciation difficulties. 5a. Individuals on hands and knees or at least crouching, The Key often close to decaying logs and tree bases. Often solitary, but generally very loosely associated with similar species. 1a. Persons with baskets, paper or other bags, slow moving Vocalization: Generally incomprehensible, but muttering to meandering, not moving along well-defined paths. about sporangia and calcareous peridia often faintly heard. 2. Eumycologia Myxophila vehementa
1b. Persons without such paraphernalia moving more 5b. Individuals crouching to upright, generally with basket rapidly, may be associated with quadrupeds, occasionally containing at least some macro fungi. Rarely solitary, stopping for short periods. Pseudomycologia (generally generally in small groups, often in pairs. Not restricted to classified as Homo caniphilus or H. motus). Not dealt with decaying logs. Mycophila omnigena here. I trust that this key will be of assistance to seasoned mem- 2. Eumycologia bers as well as newcomers. Using this as a guide, and with some thoughts about how you may fit in, you will have the 2a. Persons with broad often-aged baskets, appearing opportunity of taking your rightful place in the Society. This disheveled, dull-colored, greens, browns, and gray may be with a stomach full of the most delicious fungi known predominating. 3. Generalis Group to humankind, or with a mind focused on knowing every fungus in Ontario’s forests, or with a great group of people 2b. Persons with deeper baskets, may often be absent but having lots of fun. Alternatively, and I trust this may be the right generally with paper and other bags. Dress various, often place for you, “a bit of all three.” rucksacked. 4. Mycoedulis and Mycophagus Groups [MST Ed. note: My attention has recently been drawn to a 2c. Persons with baskets containing plastic boxes, which variant of unknown taxonomic position described as are often segmented. Persons appear focussed. Diagnostic Mycophilus mentorens. This appears to be in the Generalis lens carried around neck. 5. Micromycologia Group Group, and constantly talks to others about the fungi being found. M. mentorens var. sootsii has often been seen in our 3. Generalis Group area.]
3a. Persons with baskets with high fungal diversity, appear- * A confusing species with affinities to Mycophagus sociabilis. ing colorful, often with several small brown mushrooms. Vocalization “Look at this.” “Now this is interesting.” ** This is a species complex with several subspecies Mycophilus notabilis including ssp. diversiculinaris and ssp. amicus. M. garrulus is doubtfully separable apart from its louder vocalization. 3b. Knowledgeable persons with baskets of moderate fungal diversity, containing honey mushrooms and Chicken ◆◆◆ of the Woods. Rarely with sac or coral fungi. Vocalization: “These will cook up nicely” and “with white wine and garlic.” [Originally printed in the Jan.–Mar. 2005 issue of Mycelium, Mycophilus culinarius* the newsletter of the Mycological Society of Toronto.]
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 12 NAMA WILDACRES REGIONAL FORAY September 29–October 2, 2007 Wildacres, North Carolina
To register, complete this form and mail with a check for $175, payable to NAMA, to Allein Stanley, 136 Homeplace Drive, Mount Holly, NC 28120. Persons sharing a room may use the same form.
l. Name ______1. Name ______
1. ❏ Male ❏ Female 1. ❏ Male ❏ Female
1. Address______1. Address______1. Phone ______1. Phone ______2. E-mail ______2. E-mail ______3. I wish to room with ______3. I wish to room with ______4. Dietary requests______4. Dietary requests______5. Bedding preference: ❏ Double ❏ Single Bedding preference: ❏ Double ❏ Single
Participants at this foray will be limited to 40 persons, double occupancy. There are no private rooms. The cost of the foray covers 3 nights lodging and 8 meals beginning with an evening meal on Thursday, Sept. 29, and ending with breakfast on Sunday, October 2. Liability waiver: By signing below, I release the North American Mycological Association, its officers, and its members from any and all liability and loss arising from any accident, injury, or illness which may result from activities of the NAMA regional foray at Wildacres.
Signature #1______Signature #2 ______
Date______Date ______
For additional information call (704) 827-1939 or email
Riddles - Mangled Translation Style by Juliet Pendray Riddles: 1. Secreted, lacking feeling; scan again, silent The answer for each riddle is the (Latin) name of a 2. Horse instruction, behind, play guitar; fire, Jellicle mushroom: a semi-colon separates the words in the one, stomach answer (where possible). 3. Box, idiots; cross, father 4. Determined Irish parrot; think over, drink liquor, once Example was Riddle: Medium, distasteful, swear; purchase, droppings, 5. Statement made by friend of Cyrus, exist; before you red cheat and steal, rule, saw her Answer: Agaricus bisporus (as in Agar + ick + cuss; buy + spoor + russ) Answers on page 15.
13 The Mycophile, September/October 2007 Forays & Announcements, Death of Peter Katsaros continued from page 4 Reported and should be addressed to Carlene Skeffington, 505 W. Hollis St., Ste. 109, Nashua, NH 03062; tel. (603) Peter Katsaros died on May 8, 2007, 882-0311, e-mail
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 14 More Summer Finds, continued from page 2 Two views of Mycena lucentipes
Boletes, photo courtesy of L. Michael Lerman.
Mycena lucentipes shown in the light (above) and glowing in the dark (below). See page 5 for the accompanying story.
Photo courtesy of Ken Gilberg.
Culinary Corner To find out what happened to Steve’s Shepson’s beautiful sulfur shelves (above left)—as well as step- by-step preparation of an excellent dish using this mushroom—go to www.thecheesemaker.com/ cooking-chicken-mushroom.htm. Here you also can Photo courtesy of Steve Shapson learn how to make the most terrific cheeses, for pennies, right in your own home. I certainly do, and Answers to the riddles on page 13: 1) Hydnum highly recommend giving it a try! repandum. 2) Geastrum saccatum. 3) Sparasiss crispa. 4) Polyozellus multiplex. 5) Inocybe lilacina.
15 The Mycophile, September/October 2007 North American Mycological Association 336 Lenox Avenue NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Oakland, CA 94610-4675 PAID PERMIT NO. 1260 Address Service Requested CHAS. WV 25301
Mushroom of the Month
Have you seen this morel? This species is most elusive and difficult to pick, as it attains speeds of 65 mph (or more)! To see more mushrooms spotted throughout the summer, dig into this issue!
Courtesy of Ken Gilberg
The Mycophile, September/October 2007 16