General Reproduction of mushrooms Lactarius deliciosus “Saffron Milk Cap” Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae The so called “Giant Fennel Mushroom”. Mushrooms belong to a larger group of organisms, known as Mushrooms in Nature are reproduced by spores which are A common and delicious fungi. Unlike the chlorophyll bearing plants, fungi can produced in vast numbers on the fruit body. At the mushroom of Cyprus. It A common mushroom of not photosynthesize, therefore, they have to feed upon typical umbrella shaped mushrooms, the spores are born appears during autumn in Cyprus. It is a very deli- organic substances produced by other organisms. on the gills situated on the lower surface of the cap pine forests and shrub- cious and plummy mushro- beries. om. It appears during A few years ago, fungi were considered to belong to the (figure) and when the fruit body matures, they are spring and autumn growing plant kingdom. Today, scientists classify them in their released. on the roots of the Giant own unique kingdom. The number of their species in nature Fennel (Ferula communis). is estimated around 1.500.000. Of them, only about Coprinus comatus “Shaggy Ink-cap” 75.000 have been scientifically studied so far. A common mushroom of Fungi are classified into three large categories, Tricholoma caligatum Cyprus. It is edible al- according to their feeding habits: saprophytes, though Cypriots are not A delicious and plummy parasites and symbiotic. Saprophytic fungi depend on the very fond of it. It ap- mushroom. It appears in decomposion of dead organic matter of plant or animal pears during rainy au- autumn in pine forests. origin. Parasitic fungi live upon other living organisms, tumns mainly across mea- sucking nutrients from them. Many fungi that are known dows, forest road edges to cause diseases to humans, animals and plants, fall in and recently disturbed soil. this category. Finally, symbiotic fungi have developed a special relationship with other organisms, which is When the spores reach a proper substratum e.g. dead Lactarius torminosus “Woolly Milk-cap” beneficial to both organisms. The fungus obtains Agaricus campestris “Field Mushroom” readymade organic substances, but also helps its partner organic matter, with suitable moisture and temperature A poisonous mushroom espe- Common edible mushroom. It in various ways. In the case of plants for example, a conditions, they grow producing thread-like structures cially if consumed raw. It appears during autumn in special symbiosis is achieved with fungi called called mycelia. A mycelium in order to be productive, looks like “Saffron Milk gardens and fields. ‘myccorrhiza’. Through this symbiosis, the plants, among apart from suitable environmental conditions, it also Cap”, however, at the others, are supported in the absorption of mineral needs two compatible mycelia derived from spores with upper part of the cap it substances from the ground. Many mushrooms belong to different polarity to join. bears hairs and the color the category of saprophytic fungi, while others are of the latex remains parasitic or symbiotic. Mushrooms in Cyprus white. In contrary, the “Saffron Milk Cap” is glabrous and Morchella conica “Morel” the latex is orange-coloured. Unfortunately, mushrooms have not been properly studied A delicious and plummy What mushrooms are in Cyprus until now with the exception of a small number mushroom. It appears du- Suilus granulatus Ancient people could not explain the apparently sudden of species that have been identified by the Forestry ring spring in recently appearance of mushrooms. They have often linked it with Department. However, it is expected that in the follo- burned areas, forests, A common mushroom of various phenomena like lightning, or traces of the wing years this gap in our knowledge will be filled. meadows and wasteland. Cyprus. Although edible, footsteps of witches or even with evil actions. it is not considered of In many places of Cyprus ecological conditions are good quality. It appears Ancient Greeks used to know pretty well the suitable for mushroom growth. Most species appear in in autumn in pine forests. characteristics of some mushroom species and they could late autumn, when there is adequate rainfall and the distinguish between edible and poisonous species. The use temperature is at appropriate levels. The appearance of Russula delica “Milk-white Russula” of mushrooms as food was very important during times of mushrooms continues throughout winter, especially at low A common mushroom of war and starvation, especially for the ordinary people. and medium altitudes and in spring as well. Not rarely, Cyprus. Although edible, Chroogomphus rutilus Mushrooms as we see them above soil are the visible part some species appear for short periods of time in summer, it is not appreciated as Edible mushroom but not of a group of fungi, specifically the fruiting body of the at the highest altitudes, after strong rainfalls that much as the “Saffron Milk very much recommended. fungus. The spores, that correspond to the seeds of preserve humidity of organic matter for at least 15 - 20 Cap”. It appears in autumn It is unusual in Cyprus and flowering plants, are found on this part of the fungus. days. Some of the most common mushrooms of the various in pine forests. appears in autumn in pine The classification of a fungus as a mushroom is not based habitats of Cyprus are presented in the following pages, forests. on taxonomic criteria, but rather on the presence of the along with certain basic information for each. globose or umbrella-shaped fruit body. Ganoderma applanatum ”Bracket” following rules should be followed: important to know that in case of mushroom poisoning, we This is a hard, woody and a. Only edible mushrooms should be collected and as such should immediately seek medical advice. Our first actions perennial mushroom which should be considered the mushrooms that are should be the following: parasites (also saprophy- traditionally collected. Experiments and speculations G Cause vomit. tes) on planes and other like “edible mushrooms are those which are affected G Keep vomit so that the kind of poison is identified and trees. Due to its large by worms” or “those mushrooms that produce a milky to proceed with the right therapy. size the production of liquid when cut are poisonous” are very dangerous and spores reaches astronomic can be fatal. G Record the details of the development of symptoms. numbers. b. Only the mature fruit bodies that have already given out their spores for reproduction should be Epilogue Volvariella speciosa var. gloiocephala collected; the young, unripe mushrooms should be left Mushrooms like every other living organism, have their intact. It is an edible mushroom of own, very important role to play in nature. We therefore Cyprus. In the past it was c. The removal of organic matter should be avoided since have to appreciate their value and importance and we a common species but it results in the drying of the mycelia and their should act in such a way so that we contribute to their presently it seems that exposure to the sun and air. Mushrooms should be protection. The best way to show our appreciation is to its numbers have been carefully removed either by cutting them off with a avoid disturbance of their habitats by handling them reduced. It appears du- small knife or pulling them off the ground by moving correctly. The key to their protection is the understan- ring autumn in gardens and them back and forth. ding of the natural environment’s functions, something that requires both study and training. fields. d. The use of a rake to remove the organic matter over a large area so that a number of mushrooms are brought Rhizopogon luteolus to surface is unacceptable and catastrophic. This method damages the reproduction process of The fruit bodies of this mushrooms in the affected area and shows lack of fungus are spherical and respect to nature and the ecosystem. The information contained in this leaflet is general and should are produced below the not be used as an identification guide for mushrooms. surface of the ground emerging during maturity Mushrooms edibility stage. Although edible at Mushrooms are divided into three groups according to the younger stage it is their edibility: the edible ones, the uncertain and the not considered of much importance. It appears in autumn poisonous. in pine forests. Edible are the mushrooms that when consumed do not affect human health. The safer way to identify them is the verification of their species by an experienced The Collection of mushrooms collector. The use of books for the identification of species is acceptable under certain conditions, but can Cypriots are generally keen collectors of wild mushrooms also be dangerous. Empirical methods such as taste and as they consider them very delicious titbits. Not rarely smell can be even more dangerous, since some poisonous P r they drive along great distances to reach a location i mushrooms have pleasant taste and smell. Uncertain are n t e d where mushrooms have appeared. It is noted that certain the species that when eaten cause disorders to health. o n r village inhabitants sell them and receive a good, e The severity of symptoms varies from case to case. c y c l additional yearly income. The most commonly collected e d Even though the very poisonous species of mushrooms are p a mushroom is ‘Saffron Milk Cap’ (Lactarius deliciosus), the p e ‘Milk-white Russula’ (Russula delica) and the so called few, they have caused, not unjustifiably, fear amongst r ‘mushroom of the Giant Fennel’ (Pleurotus eryngii var. people. Their resemblance to certain edible species is in ferula). The less collected ones are the Tricholoma some cases great and the collector may very easily be caligatum, morels (Morchella sp.), and ‘Field Mushrooms’ confused.