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BULLETIN OF THE PUGET SOUND MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY Number 403 June 2004 AMANITA PANTHERINA, THE PANTHER The gills are free (not touching the stem), close, somewhat wide, AMANITA Brian Luther white, and with a distinctly crenulate, eroded, or scalloped edge. The stem is 5–15 cm long and up to 2.5 cm wide, tapering up- As PSMS member Karen Boyden found out the hard way (see related article on “Puppy Poisoning” on page 5 of this issue), ward, with an enlarged bulbous base. It is white, smooth, and silky above the annulus and fibrillose roughened below. Amanita pantherina, the Panther Amanita, is widespread in the Pacific Northwest, both in the city and in the countryside. The species has a membranous, white partial veil (annulus), cen- trally located or more often superior on the stem. The veil is cot- Habit and Habitat tony to fibrillose, and becomes ragged and torn with age and hang- Amanita pantherina is mycorrhizal with and scattered to gregari- ing on the stem. ous under confers, but in the PNW it is most commonly associ- The volva has a distinctly free collar or lip around the top of the ated with Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). It usually fruits in the spring, but occasionally in summer or fall. bulb, with some fibrillose zones. The spores are white in deposit, 9–12 × 6.5–8 µm in size, ellipti- It’s been my experience over the years that even though spring is the real season for this species, it’s rarely found in any quantity cal, smooth, and inamyloid. and is only infrequently brought in to me for identification on Toxicology field trips. I’d say that perhaps just a few sporocarps are brought Amanita pantherina contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, ner- in on all the spring outings, which is very little material. It isn’t vous system toxins which disrupt the normal neuro transmissions clear to me why so few are collected and brought in to the spring in the brain. The first effects can begin within a half an hour of field trips, because this is its season. It’s rarely brought in during ingestion. Muscles begin to twitch, the face gets flushed, followed fall. by dizziness, delirium, and possibly vomiting. Then after a while The most abundant fruitings of this species that I’ve ever seen in the victim gets really sleepy. Eating small amounts of the mush- my life occurred in pure stands of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga room will cause an intoxicated drunkenness, and the person ef- menziesii) in Fort Lewis and in Camp Murray (a large Washing- fected normally becomes unconscious. The effects are profound ton National Guard reserve adjacent to Fort Lewis) that contained and can be likened to a grossly overexaggerated drunken stupor, maybe 150 to 200 year old trees on average. When still in the with other unpleasant symptoms. This pronounced inebriation syn- Army National Guard I used to have to take courses, go to the drome can, briefly, result in some pleasant thoughts and symp- firing ranges, and have training and FTX exercises (Field Train- toms, but these are usually short-lived and normally the symp- ing Exercises) in Fort Lewis and Camp Murray, and when there toms are predictably to violently unpleasant, depending on a num- in spring I was amazed at how abundantly Amanita pantherina ber of factors, such as how grew mycorrhizally associated with these pure stands of Doug much mushroom was eaten Fir. and the consumer’s size, weight, sex, and emotional This general area of Pierce County, Washington, is somewhat arid, with a microclimate much like that of the San Juan Islands— state. Very deep sleep with vivid dreams (pleasant and lower rainfall because of the pronounced rain shadow caused by unpleasant) is a character- the Olympic Mountains. This general area of Pierce County is one of the only places where you can find Ponderosa pine (Pinus istic of intoxication. ponderosa) and Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) growing natu- A large enough dose can be rally in western Washington. Interesting. I’ve never seen large fatal. Most people eventu- fruitings of Amanita pantherina in Eastern Washington. ally fully recover from a smaller dose. However, Every year is different, and perhaps the extra dry conditions we’ve experienced here in the PNW this late winter and spring might others are permanently emotionally scarred by the result in some unusual fruitings of any number of fungi, includ- experience, which may re- ing Amanita pantherina. sult in many unseen problems in the future. Description BEGINNER’S CLASS LAST SESSION Amanita pantherina caps are 5–30 cm broad, convex, or becom- ing plane or expanded further to an uplifted margin with age. The The final session of the spring beginners class will be held 6–8 PM caps are moist and viscid when fresh with a clearly striate margin on Sunday, June 6, in the Douglas Classroom at CUH. Subjects and are covered with regularly spaced or scattered whitish to cream will include compass setting, maps, safe hunting practices, pres- colored, flat to conical patches of universal veil tissue (or warts) ervation and cooking of mushrooms, and assorted other aspects at maturity. The cap color varies from tan to brownish tan, buff, of artistic merit. Any PSMS member may attend by bringing $7 yellowish-brown, dark brown or even a brassy brown and is usu- to cover the cost of room rental and supplies. Those who have ally slightly lighter at the margin. registered for the class will not need to contribute. page 1 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Spore Prints Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at 7:30 PM at the Center for Urban Horti- culture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle is published monthly, September through June by the The June meeting features Storm of the Olympic Park Institute. PUGET SOUND MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY Storm has written about primitive uses of fungi and his experi- Center for Urban Horticulture, Box 354115 ments in mycophagy for the Bulletin of Primitive Technology and University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Mushroom, The Journal of Wild Mushrooming. He will tell us (206) 522-6031 http://www.psms.org about eating neglected or avoided mushrooms, and talk about some User name: Password: of the Stone Age and Bronze Age uses of fungi. To conclude, OFFICERS: Ron Post, President Storm will, with burning intensity, build a smolder and then a fire Patrice Benson, Vice President using a wooden drill, polypore tinder, and lots of sweat and muscle. John Goldman, Treasurer After the demonstration, we will be celebrating our volunteers Ramona Owen, Secretary with a brief announcement and the usual food and mingling. TRUSTEES: Alissa Allen, Steve Bigelow, If your last name begins with the letters N to Z, please bring some- Colleen Compton, Lynne Elwell, David Hunt, Dennis Oliver, thing festive and maybe even primitive to share at the meeting. Pacita Roberts, Tony Tschanz, This is the last PSMS membership meeting until September 14. Bret Vielbig, Daniel Winkler, Karin Mendell (Immed. Past Pres.) ALTERNATES: Marilyn Droege, Karin Tolgu SCI. ADVISOR: Dr. Joseph F. Ammirati BOARD NEWS Ramona Owen EDITOR: Agnes A. Sieger, 271 Harmony Lane, Port Angeles, WA 98362 Flowers and a card were delivered on behalf of the club by Karin [email protected] Mendell to Joy Spur, who would appreciate hearing from mem- Annual dues $25; full-time students $15 bers as she recuperates. Membership renewal reminders were mailed out; those folks will not receive Spore Prints until sub- scriptions are renewed. The new PSMS roster will be printed this CALENDAR summer after membership data are updated. The treasurer’s re- port included a discussion about rolling over the club investments June 5 Field Trip, Chatter Creek Campground into a CD or Treasury Note, comparing the yields and maturation dates, with a decision tabled pending more research by John June 6 Last Beginner’s Class, 6–8 PM, Douglas Classroom, CUH Goldman. A microscopy class to be taught by Judy Roger is being June 8 Membership Meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH developed; the date, to be announced, will be either June or Sep- June 12 Field Trip, Swauk Creek Campground tember. PSMS has eight working microscopes and five that need June 14 Board Meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH various levels of repair. The Board agreed on $500 microscope July 3 Summer Picnic, noon–4 PM, Steward Park repair budget. Ron Post offered to build microscope cases this July 10 TrailsFest 2004, Rattlesnake Lake, North Bend summer. Field trips have been going well. Ron Post reported that July 19 Board Meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH several young members were very interested in the cultivation Aug. 16 Board Meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH kits from Fungi Perfecti that PSMS made available to them on the Aug. 24 Spore Prints deadline last field trip. The Circle 8 field trip was attended by 40 people; Sept. 14 Membership Meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH Dave Hunt reports that the cabins have been refurbished. Park rangers informed the field trip group that a cougar had been sighted in the fields and to make sure any kids were especially warned of PSMS DISCUSSION GROUP John Goldman its presence. Certain book costs for serious PSMS identifiers may be underwritten by the club. The Fall Wild Mushroom Exhibit The PSMS e-mail discussion group maintained by Yahoo Groups will be co-chaired by Ron Post and an as-yet-to-volunteer mem- is an easy way to keep in contact with other members, circulate ber; your support and enthusiasm are much needed. All the steps information about PSMS events, and post general mushroom in- and contacts for the job have been meticulously recorded by im- formation.