2007 No. 2

Club Mushroom

There are a number of mushrooms which could be called ‘club mushrooms’ and, if you are not careful in your identification, can be confused especially when the sample is not mature. The good news is that none of the local varieties are poisonous. You might, however be wondering why somebody thinks they are so delicious when you couldn’t get the first mouthful down. That difference is the result of picking different mushrooms and calling them all ‘club’. According to Leni’s book, Mushrooms of Northwest North America, all three local species are edible, although some are more bitter than others. She also comments that this group can be eaten raw. The taste raw and cooked are similar, so testing a small sample by taste before picking can help you identify which ones you do want to harvest.

The preferred Clavaria mushrooms are: Flat topped Coral – clavariadelphus truncatus – which can be found throughout North America. It is most Clavariadelphus truncatus is a sweet tasting fungus that can be found under confiers in common in the Rocky Mountains needle litter. Photo courtesy: Loretta Puckrin growing in a coniferous fungi is wider at the top and yellow). The flesh is whitish to environment, preferring a cold narrows toward the base with a ochre and becomes darker on and wet location. This yellow to firm to spongy consistency. The bruising. This fungus has a nice ochre mushroom is clublike, often entire fungi is edible and fairly long growing season of August to broad and flattened at top. The solid with no hollow portions. The October. spore print is ochre (a brown-toned (Hypomyces ...continued on page 3) www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2007 No. 2 1 President’s Message fact about fungi. We all 2007 Executive remember the Chernobyl disaster, Edmonton Mycological Society when a nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine, exploded and President & Webmaster: subsequently released nuclear Markus Thormann (780) 432-1392 radiation over most of the [email protected] northern hemisphere in 1986. A team of researchers at Albert Past President: Mike Schulz (780) 939-2106 Einstein College of Medicine in [email protected] New York under the leadership of Ekaterina Dadachova determined Vice President: Martin Osis (780) 987-4412 that some fungi actually grew [email protected] better near Chernobyl than elsewhere. The fungi examined Treasurer: Loretta Puckrin (780) 458-9889 are all common soil fungi and had [email protected] a pigment called melanin in their hyphae - a substance also present Secretary: Vacant in human skin. The researchers Membership & Webmaster: hypothesized that melanin may Alan Fleming play a role in the fungi similar to (780) 463-8540 [email protected] Markus Thormann, president of the that of chlorophyll in plants, Edmonton Mycological Society which traps energy from sunlight Foray Coordinator: Bill Richards and converts it to “food energy” (780) 998-3507 needed to sustain life. How [email protected] It is hard to believe, but exactly melanin captures Program Director: Robert Rogers June has already approached and radiation energy is still unclear; (780) 433-7882 we’re looking forward to the however, it highlights yet another [email protected] longest day of the year. We are amazing fact about fungi in that Communications Coordinator: well into our mushroom season, they are extremely resilient and Melanie Fjoser having gone on several forays can survive just about anything, (780) 987-4412 [email protected] already and seeing more and including nuclear disasters!!! The more fungi merging from the question “What can fungi do?” Newsletter Editor: Geri Kolacz multitudes of substrata, in which should really be changed to (780) 475-7927 [email protected] their mycelia overwintered. “What can’t fungi do?”. Despite the once again poor At this time, it is my distinct Directors-at-large: Pieter van der Schoot showing of morels, verpas were pleasure to announce that we (780) 696-2436 very abundant and exceptionally have once again received a grant Ethel Luhtanen (430)220-9610 large, and we can now look from the Alberta Conservation [email protected] forward to many spring agarics Association. We applied for John Thompson (780) 456-9424 and delicious and healthy oyster $14,500.00 and will receive the [email protected] mushrooms appearing in the entire amount to continue work Robert Simpson (780) 481-7905 coming weeks. on our “Fungi of Alberta” data [email protected]

While scouring the news base. The main objectives of this ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ MAILING ADDRESS: about fungi, I came across a truly year will to fill in some holes in Edmonton Mycological Society amazing and thought-provoking the data base, check fungal 1921, 10405 Jasper Avenue article published in late May 2007 taxonomy, and access the Standard Life Building Edmonton, AB T5J 3S2 in the online journal PLoS One. University of Alberta It outlines yet another amazing WEBSITE ADDRESS: (President’s Message ...continued on page 3) www.wildmushrooms.ws

2 Summer 2007 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws Clubs (continued from page 1) Clavaidelphus ligula has a white President’s Message spore print and a slightly bitter (continued from page 2) Northern Pestle taste. This species enjoys growing (Clavariadelphus borealis) under conifers in clusters and has a Cryptogamic Herbarium This variety has a white similar growing season to information. Breanne has spore print. It is club shaped at Clavariadelphus scahalinensis. agreed to continue working first but soon develops a depressed for us on this project. In and wrinkled top with an orange Purple Club Coral addition, some of those shade in the centre, growing up to (Clavariaceae purpurea) – As the funds will be allocated 10 cm tall and 6 cm across . name suggest this fungi is purple in colour but grows like the other club towards the Alberta Foray There are two edible but mushrooms – in a cluster of round- in Lac La Biche this bitter specimens found in Alberta. tipped ‘spikes’. Its colour makes it summer. Pestle Fungus easy to identify. The flesh tends to be Also, keep your eyes (Clavariadelphus pistillaris) – a slighltly purple toned white. peeled for some new and which can be found in deciduous Although considered edible, this exciting products available and coniferous forests – fruits specimen with a slightly unpleasant to you. For example, more seldom and is often bitter in odour is not considered choice. It Martin Osis has been taste. This variety can grow up to also grows under spruce and fir in working on a key for the 20 cm tall with a diameter of 7 cm mountain regions from September to when single but is often ‘two- October. edible fungi in Alberta, and headed’. When it does fruit there we will post it soon on our are many fruiting bodies. The Clavaria Genus web site. In addition, the spore print is white to buff. This official report from the joint fungus turns brown when bruised. (Clavariaceae, Edmonton Mycological The season is July-October. Some Society/North American books consider this to be a nice Clavariadelphus) mild flavour without the Related to the Mycological Association bitterness so it might depend on (NAMA) foray in Hinton the area in which it grows as to Cantharellaceae last summer will be how preferred the species is as an genus accessible on our web site harvested mushroom. The flesh is soon as well. This report very thin and you need to pick a This grouping includes the has recently been sent to large amount to get even a taste club and the coral mushrooms, of our EMS/NAMA foray therefore it is not considered a which a number are edible. The funding partners and will be choice edible for picking. names describe the basic used to acquire financial structure – that is, the club Strap-shaped pestle resources for various mushrooms are club shaped or (Clavariadelphus projects in the future. upon occasion slightly branched. sachalinensis) – This particular Moreover, our “Edible The coral mushrooms are tufts or fungi has a number of shapes and Fungi of Alberta” poster is clusters of branched thin stems sizes. Its environment is the that closely resemble the ocean’s in the printing stage and boreal forests growing under pine coral structures. More than a half will be available to you free- or spruce. The various shapes a dozen distinct genera are now of-charge soon. Please don’t often occur in the same area (see recognized as Clavaria. forget to take lots of images Mushrooms of Western Canada – There are a number of fungi page 166). It is most often flat or of medicinal fungi for our that appear to be club-shaped but spoon-like in shape. The spore next poster in the series of are not part of this genus. Some print is buff or ochre and the flesh fungi of Alberta. examples are the Orange Earth is white with no staining. Its I hope you have all had tongue (Microglossum rufum) growing season is July to and irregular Earth Tongue a mycologically exciting November. (Neolecta irregularis ) spring so far. This fungus is very similar to Happy ‘Shrooming Clavariadelphus ligula. The Loretta Puckrin Markus Thormann www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2007 No. 2 3 Alberta Foray - Lac La Biche, Alberta August 3,4, 5 & 6, 2007 Have you registered yet????

The Alberta Foray is an As our club grows and gets more the Portage College facility in Lac excellent time to meet fellow members from across Alberta, we La Biche. They will provide us budding mycologists and have a need to have forays that reach out to with motel style accommodations, geart time. Further these weekends them and bring mycological expertise cater all of our food, provide us are a great leap forward in the from the province together in order to with classroom space, a place to amount of knowledge we have about examine what is growing in Alberta. display all our mushrooms as well what is actually found in our woods In 2005 we went to the Rocky as a lecture theatre. We are still right here in Alberta. All the work Mountain House area, last year to negotiating grants and facility that is done goes toward our fungal both the Canmore and Hinton areas. rentals but we are looking in the bio-diversity knowledge and is This year’s forays will be held August range of $185.00 per person documented and recorded in our 3,4,5,6 in Lac La Biche. About fifteen including all accommodations and data base. We will also be looking at years ago we used to foray in this area meals, with a discount for those photographing all the specimens so on a yearly basis and usually had looking at camping. we have long term records which great forays, lots of russulas. Don’t forget to register you can access in the future when This year we want to keep and we will meet at Lac La trying to identify that mystery everybody focused on mushrooms Biche in August. mushroom. rather than chores. We will be using Registration Form for the Alberta Foray Name:______Address:______City: ______Province: ______Postal Code:______Phone No.: ______Email: ______Fees These fees include meals and accommodation If camping, the fees are as follows: Singles: $185.00 Single: $115.00 Couples: $350.00 Couple: $200.00 Please register early. There will be a $50.00 fee per person for late registrations after the deadline of June 27, 2007. Send cheques and registration form to: Edmonton Mycological Society 1921, 10405 Jasper Avenue Standard Life Building Edmonton, AB T5J 3S2

4 Summer 2007 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws Medicinal Mushrooms Annual Photo of Alberta Contest -2007 List for Photo Contest and Poster

Keep taking pictures and sending them in. You can enter the Photo contest as many times as you would like and every photo Pleurotus ostreatus Oyster increases the data base photo Armillaria species Honey gallery. Remember that we are planning to print a medicinal Polyporus umbellatus Umbrella Polypore N mushroom poster, so keep your eyes Inonotus obliquus Chaga open and your camera ready. The C list of mushrooms that will be Ganoderma applanatum Artists Conk featured on the poster are listed on P Fomes fomentarius Tinder Conk this page. P Fomitopsis pinicola Red Belted Conk Initial entry fee: $ 5.00 PLUS Trametes versicolor Turkey Tail Additional entry fees ____ x$1.00 Auricularia auricula Wood Ear (Enter as many times as you Schizophyllum commune Split Gill wish. The $5.00 entry is for the first entry only) Cordyceps species NOTE: Payment for additional Grifola frondosus Hen of the Woods entries should be in by closing date Piptoporus betulinus Razor Strop of November 1, 2007 Flammulina velutipes Velvet Foot Submit entries by mail to EMS or by Email to: Hericium species Hedgehog [email protected]

Hypsizygus tessulatus Western Hypsizygus Send entry fee to : Panaeolus subbalteatus Belted Cap Panaeolus Edmonton Mycological Society Phallus impudicus Stinkhorn 1921 – 10405 Jasper Ave. Standard Life Building Phellinus ignarius False Tinder Polypore Edmonton AB T5J 3S2 Sparassis crispa Cauliflower Fungus

www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2007 No. 2 5 What’s in a name? Latin binomials vs. common names

These types of conversations are Two mycophiles are on a foray, happening far more and the following conversation frequently than you ensues. can imagine. Think of a mycophile from a Mycophile 1: “I was at my different country favourite foray site last week coming to Canada or and found lots of horn of you visiting another plenty.” country to pick Mycophile 2: “Which one is mushrooms. In that?” September, you’re on a foray to pick Mycophile 1: “You know….the Armillaria, which we trumpet of death.” commonly refer to as Mycophile 2: “Trumpet of “honey mushrooms”; death….never heard of that however, they’re also one.” known as “honey agarics” or “oak Mycophile 1: “Come on. fungus” in English- They’re also known as black speaking countries. In trumpets.” Germany, they’re Mycophile 2: “Black known as trumpets???” “Hallimasch” or “Honigpilz” (literally Mycophile 1: “Alright, let’s see. “honey mushroom”), I am sure you have picked in Sweden as black chantarelles before. “honungsskivling”, They’re all over the place in and in Italy as “chidini He is aptly known as the “father of these woods.” famigliola buona”. The list goes on, modern taxonomy”! His prime Mycophile 2: “I know the as does the confusion among some contribution was to establish yellow chantarelle. What’s a amateur and professional conventions for the naming of black chantarelle?” mycologists. living organisms that ultimately became universally accepted in the Mycophile 1: “Perhaps you What can be done to avoid scientific world. In fact, the work know its formal name. Its Latin this confusion? of Linnaeus represents the starting name is Craterellus Well, the solution is point of binomial nomenclature, cornucopioides.” hundreds of years old. Carolus i.e., every organism has a Latin Mycophile 2: “Oooh….I see. Linnaeus (1707-1778), also known name that consists of a genus and a Yes, I have collected after his ennoblement in 1757 as species, similar to your first and last Craterellus cornucopioides in Carl von Linné, was a Swedish names. All living organisms are the past as well. They’re botanist, physician, and zoologist, further classified in a hierarchical delicious!” who laid the foundation for the

modern scheme of nomenclature. (What’s in a name? ...continued on page 7)

6 Summer 2007 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws What’s In A Name complex names by abolishing 2001. These name changes through (continued from page 6) unnecessary rhetoric, introducing time reflect a growing new descriptive terms, and defining understanding of the relatedness of framework, which is based on the their meaning with an different fungi, partly as a result of morphological relatedness of all unprecedented precision (I am sure advances in microscopy and the use organisms known at that time (and he was frustrated with common of molecular techniques in fungal still today). That is why, for names, too). In the late 1740s, he taxonomy. Index Fungorum lists all example, agarics are classified in began to use a parallel system of current and past Latin names of all the family Agaricaceae or boletes naming species with nomina fungi (http:// in the family Boletaceae. This trivialia. Nomen triviale, a trivial www.indexfungorum.org/Names/ framework was first published in name, was a 1- or 2-word epithet Names.asp). Species Plantarum in 1753 and placed on the margin of the page Due to Linnaeus’ inspiration introduced the Latin binomial to next to the complex “scientific” and desire to simplify botany, the scientific world. names in the books of his era. The professionals and amateurs from only rules Linnaeus applied to the around the globe are able to Why would Linnaeus see a nomen triviale was that they should converse with one another and not need for the classification be short, unique within a given be confused about which organism of and a Latin name for genus, and that they should not be they are conversing about. For organisms? changed (although taxonomists do example, Verpa bohemica (or more Well, before correctly Ptychoverpa bohemica) is Linnaeus, long and a binomial name given to a very often very complex Due to Linnaeus’ specific fungus. This name leaves names (composed of a no uncertainty. “Early morel” or generic name and a inspiration and desire to “false morel” are vague and variable differentia specifica) among regions and only create had been used by simplify botany, professionals confusion and uncertainty among biologists. The and amateurs from around mycophiles from different parts of differentia specifica the world or even from the same actually gave a the globe are able to converse part of the world. description of the Lastly, no, you do not need species and was not with one another and not be to take, or have taken, Latin classes fixed, i.e., they could confused about which to pronounce Latin names. I have change easily with never taken any Latin classes and time and might be organism they are conversing managed just fine to navigate different among through the maze of odd letter- biologists. For about. combinations common in Latin example, our inky words. All it takes is a little caps, Coprinopsis practice. I was once told by a atramentaria, may colleague that “the way to have been described as “Coprinus this all the time). For example, pronounce Latin names is with growing in clusters on stumps and using Linnaeus’ approach, the confidence. If you’re confident, logs with caps dissolving into a aforementioned inky caps were first then everyone else will think that black, inky liquid”. Linnaeus, named Agaricus atramentarius by you actually know how to frustrated with this fluid and Bolton in 1788 and subsequently pronounce those complex words”. inconsistent approach, took every Coprinus atramentarius by Fries in So, give it a try… effort to improve the composition 1838 and Coprinopsis atramentaria and reduce the length of the Redhead, Vilgalys & Moncalvo in Markus N. Thormann www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2007 No. 2 7 Lambert Creek Foray

Edmonton Mycological Society

Lambert Creek and Robb Area Foray July 14& 15 2007

748 EDSON

16

Lambert Creek

Lambert Creek and Robb Area Foray

We will be meeting at the Lambert Creek Campground for the July 14 & 15 2007 foray. The majority of folks will arrive on Saturday Morning about 11 AM. 47 Some people may wish to stakeout a Campsite the evening before (fees apply & space may be limited). Those not wishing to campout could overnight in Edson, which is less than 40 km away.

Directions: take Hwy 16 through Edson; 5 km west of town take HWY 47 south for approximately 35 km to Lambert Creek campground (on the right side of the highway).

40

8 Summer 2007 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws A Mushroom ... Twentieth is a Mushroom ... Annual Moral is a ...??? Foray Dumas struck his forehead “But how do you know you are suddenly with the flat of his hand not going to commit a great This year’s foray took us to “Mushrooms! What about blunder?” cried Veron. Ministik Lake Bird Sanctuary mushrooms?” “Never fear, said Dumas. “It’s on May 12 to our inaugural “Right across the way,” said the eye. To a practiced eye there’s a morel site for our 20 Annual Veron, “ I see a mushroom vendor.” ... well, I don’t know how to Moral Foray. It was very well “A mushroom vendor?” Dumas describe it ... a touch. A je ne sai cried. “Do you mean to tell me that quoi ... that makes every difference attended, there was nothing but your cook buys commercial in the world.” a blur bodies scurrying mushrooms, grown in some “ A je ne sai quoi!” Veron throughout the aspen parkland abandoned mine or dank cellar? shrieked. of this site. There were about Shame on her.” “Calm your self my dear 50 people (I was never able to “To the bois!” he cried.” We’ll doctor,” said Dumas continuing to make proper head count) pick our own mushrooms.” pick girolles. “Here is a real girolle “ But picking your own and here is a false one. Now look at dashing through the woods for mushrooms,” said Veron, “that’s them, side by side.” the elusive morel. Alas, very risky. There are some similarities “They look exactly the same few morels were found, this that only a trained botanist...” to me,” said Veron. was however a banner year for “Ho-Ho!” Dumas roared. “You “Ah, yes to you. But it is all in Verpa conica with almost say that to me, who could live off the the gracefulness.” everybody coming away with a wood like an Indian.” “Only that the edible variety kilogram or more. Very few “But there are toadstools, so is more graceful?” dangerous that they kill in three “Yes, or the other way fungi of other species were minutes,” said Veron. around,” said Dumans busily noted mostly because of the “None of your commercial gathering. attention people were paying to mushrooms forme. Without taste! “What do you mean the other the finding of morels. How can an abandoned mine take way around. Don’t you yourself the place of God’ woods?” know which is the more graceful?” Dumas pointed out an orange jumped Veron. Fomes fomentarius mushroom which, he said, was “Oh, come now doctor. Some precisely the species indicated for a connoisseurs think the poisonous Fomitopsis pinicola bouillabaisse. “That’s the girolle girolle is the more graceful while Ganoderma applanatum (chanterelle),” he declared. others hold that on the contrary it Microstoma protracta “This is a girolle?” asked Veron is the edible variety that exceeds Morchella elata picking one. the poisonous in the matter of Nectria cinnabarina “For heaven’s sake, no!” Dumas gracefulness. Really now, shall we Nolanea sericea (Entoloma cried. “That’s the false girolle. It’s quarrel over this. Isn’t it enough deadly!” He snatched the mushroom that there should be this subtle sericeum var. sericeum) from Veron’s hand and threw it difference?” Psathyrella madeodisca away. Veron was ready to die. Trametes sp. “But it looks exactly like the Verpa bohemica one you picked,” Veron pointed out. Taken from the book “King of Paris” by Polyporus elegans (last year’s “Of course it does. It’s almost Guy Endore, 1956, a biography of specimen) impossible to tell them apart, they Alexandre Dumas (author of Two look so much alike,” Dumas said. Musketeers, Count of Monte Cristo and over 250 other works of literature). www.wildmushrooms.ws Summer 2007 No. 2 9 Please Join Us!! All forays are undertaken at your own EMS Calendar of Events for 2007 risk. You are responsible for transpor- tation and accommodation. March City of Champignons Exhibition Meeting: Growing your own Mushroom: Displays of all mushrooms. Spore plugs will be Dry Mixedwood Boreal 27 12 sorts Mushrooms: Winter available and information on Location: Devonian Gardens 24 Polypores how to get as well as a DVD Location: George & Ann from NAMA on growing Meeting: Cordyceps Litven’s Woodlot Done mushrooms. 22 by Robert Rogers April July Meeting: NAMA Foray Mid-summer Camp-out September 25 Intro Presentation and Keying Mushroom: Leccinum, various Genera by Martin 14/15 other boletes, Lambert Creek Campout Osis Chanterelles(?) Mushroom: Honey Location: Robb Area Mushrooms, Hedgehogs DoneMay 8-9 and Chanterelles Mid-Summer Evening Foray in Location: Lambert Aspen Parkland the Edmonton River Valley Creek or Hinton Area - TBA Mushrooms: Morels, Verpas 18 Mushrooms: Various 12 and Spring Agarics Location: Old Timers Cabin Location: Return to the Sicamous Club’s inaugural morel site - Mushroom: Fungi of Ministik Done Meeting: Boreal Forest Fungi Presentation by Markus 22/23 the region with the 25 Thormann Vancouver Meeting: Fungal Mycological Society Photograph by Loretta 23 Puckrin Meeting: Mycophagy August Presentation Done 26 by TBA June Alberta Foray (Boreal Bring your appetite. New Members Field Forest Region) Introduction 3-6 Events: Mushroom October 6 Mushroom: Last morels Collection for the and early agarics and Database, Forays and Lectures polypores Location: Lac La Biche. Registration Meeting: Presentation Location: EdmontonDone River Valley- Required. 24 Program TBA site TBA 24 Pre-Exposition Forays 25 Mushrooms: All groups from Volunteer Steward Commitment 11 all habitats Mushroom: Oysters and Location: All regions, your November 16 early summer agarics choice.Mushrooms to be collected for President’s Dinner Location: Poplar Creek the Mushroom Exhibit the next day. TBA Natural Area Done General Member Meetings Fourth Wednesday of every month - Time: 7:00 pm Location: Riverbend Library

10 Summer 2007 No. 2 www.wildmushrooms.ws