From the Editor Five Days Ago, I Enjoyed a Fantas- Have Changed

Home , Alley Pond Park, Amanita parcivolvata, Cunningham Park, Leotia viscosa, Pelham Bay Park, Rhodocollybia maculata

NYMSNew York Mycological Society Newsletter Winter 2018 from the Editor Five days ago, I enjoyed a fantas- have changed. Collectively, we have we look is changing. We are used to tic mushroom dinner with my good expanded when we look, where we using field guides as reference, and friends of the New York Mycological look, how we look, and what we look busting out the microscopes when Society. We ate at Beyond Sushi, right at. For instance, Ethan Crenson, also we are so motivated, but now, we will next to the Horticultural Society where recognized at the banquet for his ef- begin analyzing the DNA of much of we used to meet for our Foul Weather forts identifying pyrenomycetes, has what we collect. This step will add Friends id sessions. The event will be enabled many of us to field identify a a deeper level of complexity to our covered in detail in the next newslet- significant number of these carbona- knowledge base, and it will mean that ter, but I want to mention a few things ceous fungi which weren’t making it there will be more interest in what we about it. Firstly, it was really great passed the bottom of the collecting are doing from professional scientists to see lots of new faces and meet bag for several years. Sigrid Jacob as well as other mushroom clubs. members who are new to the club was awarded for single handedly tak- Along with the DNA analysis, as part and getting involved. Secondly, I was ing on a fungal survey of Greenwood of Mycoflora, we will document our thrilled that some of our most hard- Cemetery and for being the club’s collections on the iNaturalist and working members got recognized for pioneer of the iNaturalist application. sends specimens to the New York their efforts. Vicky Tartter has been This application will have a tremen- Botanical Garden. Our findings will be the primary keeper of mushroom lists dous impact on how we collect our part of the scientific community in a on our pop-up walks throughout the data as we pursue our fungal survey. much more substantial way. year. This work, of chronicling the Mical Moser was awarded for lead- Many of our weekend warriors go out club’s collections in the city parks ing the charge in the North American almost every weekend, rain or shine. was started by Gary Lincoff some Mycoflora Project (discussed in detail (More rain than shine lately.) We put a eight years ago. Over that time, the within). Mycoflora is a big part of what lot of time and energy into collecting interests of the NYMS as a whole I am referring to when I say that how the data for the NYC fungal survey. I am truly inspired by the individual efforts of our members who contrib- ute all they do, and by seeing our work take shape in a way that informs each of us, the club as a whole, and a community of scientists which reaches beyond all borders.

© 2016, Jacqui Wong, Leccinum Tylopilus Pholiota, watercolor on paper CONTENTS Praying For Rain? by Dennis Aita...... 5 A Roundup of New York City Fungi for 2017 by Tom Bigelow.. 6 Mushrooms Grow in Chinatown by Alberto H. Arensberg...... 9 Symposium on White Nose Syndrome in Bats by Pam Kray.. 10 Foray Newfoundland and Labrador 2017 by Mical Moser ..... 12 Book Review by Tom Bigelow...... 13 NYMS Newsletter Editor—Juniper Perlis Copy editor—Ethan Crenson Upcoming Events Design—Ethan Crenson A quarterly publication of the Chanterelle Weekend 2018 New York Mycological Society, distributed to its members. in the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont. Info page 3 President—Tom Bigelow Vice President—Dennis Aita Catskill Weekend Secretary—Paul Sadowski September 21-23, details will be announced in upcoming newsletter Treasurer—Kay Spurlock Walks Coordinator—Dennis Aita Eagle Hill Institute Lecture Coordinator—Gary Lincoff https://www.eaglehill.us Study Group—Paul Sadowski July 29–August 4, Mushroom Identification for New Mycophiles: Foraging for Archivist—Ralph Cox Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms. Greg Marley & Michaeline Mulvey Webmaster—Ethan Crenson www.newyorkmyc.org August–August 25, Mushroom Microscopy: An Exploration of the Intricate Articles should be sent to: Microscopic World of Mushrooms. David Porter & Michaeline Mulvey Juniper Perlis September 28–30, Fall Maine Mushrooms. David Porter & Michaeline Mulvey 713 Classon Ave, Apt 505 Brooklyn, NY 11238 [email protected] New York Botanical Garden 347.743.9452 Gary Lincoff, Spring Mushrooms 5/23 & 5/30, 10 am - 1 pm Dorothy Smullen, Mushroom Papermaking 4/7, 11 am - 2:30 pm Membership inquiries: Kay Spurlock—Treasurer- Roy Halling, Mushrooms & Mycorrhizae 8/10, 10am - 1 pm New York Mycological Society P.O. Box 1162 Stuyvesant Sta. Forays: New York, NY 10009 NEMF Foray, July 26–29, Geneseo, New York [email protected] Telluride Festival, August 16-19 Address corrections: Foray Newfoundland and Labrador, September 28–30, Avalon Peninsula, Paul Sadowski Newfoundland, Canada 205 E. 94 St., #9 NAMA Foray, October 11–14, Salem, Oregon New York, NY 10128-3780 [email protected] All statements and opinions written in this newsletter belong solely to the individual author and in no way represent or reflect the opinions or policies of the New York Mycological Society. To receive this publication electronically contact Paul Sad- owski at: [email protected] Archive copies of the newsletter are available in the Resources section of our website. Submissions for the next issue of the NYMS newsletter must reach the editor by March 15, 2018. Various formats are ac- ceptable for manuscripts. Address questions to Juniper Perlis, editor. See above for addresses. © Kat Moon North American Mycoflora Project Remember! The NYMS is applying to participate in the North American Mycoflora Project, Stay responsibly in touch with us. which brings together amateur mycologists (citizen scientists) and professional If your telephone number, mailing mycologists into a mutually beneficial relationship. On our side, our hope is or email address changes, please to improve our fieldwork skills, share details of our year-round finds with oth- contact Paul Sadowski, Secretary ers who’ll find them meaningful, and get some of our mycological mysteries with your new information. On your sorted out in the DNA lab. Our participation also means that we’re expected to membership form, please consider prepare sequenced collections for eternal residency in the New York Botanical going paperless when it comes to Garden. This gives us a shot at post-mortem fame should something aston- receiving these newsletters. News- ishing be discovered about them after the rest of us have transmogrified into letters sent via email (PDF file for- dust and spores of Hebeloma syriense and Xylaria polymorpha. Fortunately, for mat) are in color, have live web links, those of us interested in more immediate gratification, the project also requires help us contain costs, and use that we post these same collections on iNaturalist. If you haven’t tried iNatural- fewer natural resources! ist yet, here’s a head’s up: it’s like Facebook for the nature-loving set. There’s no limit to the fantastic fungi photos you can post, and you can follow your NYMS walks policy: We meet when friends’ finds. Set yourself up with an account www.inaturalist.org (it’s free), public transportation arrives. Check email me your user name ([email protected]) and I’ll invite you to join our the walks schedule for other trans- project: The New York Mycological Society - Fungi of NYC. In less than three portation notes. Walks last 5-6 hours weeks we have recorded almost 700 observations of nearly 300 species. We and are of moderate difficulty except will schedule meetings, to be announced via email, as the project progresses. where noted. Bring your lunch, Join the fun! water, knife, a whistle (in case you get lost or injured), and a basket for mushrooms. Please let a walk leader Mushoom Books Wanted know if you are going to leave early. The club plans to hold a mushroom book auction this coming winter and we Leaders have discretion to cancel are seeking donations. If you have duplicate books, books you no longer use, walks in case of rain or very dry or a rare book you can bare to part with, or if you’re moving to a smaller place conditions. Be sure to check your and need to downsize, please consider donating. It’s a great way to help the email or contact the walk leader club raise funds for speakers, workshops, DNA sequencing, etc. The book before a walk to see if it has been auctions are also a lot of fun and can be very exciting when bidding wars canceled for some reason. break out over some rare tome on the block! Aside from mushroom books, Nonmembers’ attendance is $5 for we are interested in serious mushroom art (paintings, watercolors, drawings, an individual and $10 for a family. photographs, etc.). Do you have big bag of dried morels taking up space in your cupboard? Consider donating them to the auction! We are not seeking We ask that members refrain from kitschy mushroom tchotchkes, doo-dads, trinkets, gewgaws or baubles! The visiting walk sites two weeks prior better the materials we get, the more fun the auction will be and the greater the to the walk. funds we’ll raise for the club. If you have something to donate, contact Tom Warning: Many mushrooms are Bigelow at: [email protected] or (917) 776-5848. toxic. Neither the Society nor individual members are responsible for Chanterelle Weekend 2018 the identification or edibility of any August 3-5 fungus. Location: The Green Mountains of Southern Vermont

As we send this issue of the newsletter to press, many of the the details are still in the works. However the weekend dates are settled for August 3-5—the weekend after the annual NEMF Samuel Ristich Foray in Geneseo, NY.

To secure your reservation send a deposit of $50.00 along with the registration form in this newsletter issue before June 1. Please make checks out to: The New York Mycological Society (not NYMS).

Mail both the form and the check to: Laura Biscotto 9 Stanton St, Apt 2C New York, NY 10002 212 677 3060 [email protected]

3 2018 Emil Lang Lecture Series Central Park Arsenal 830 5th Ave. (@ 64th St.), Room 318 New York, NY 10065 Mondays, 6:00 - 8:00pm

February 26th Ethan Crenson Blotches, Spots, and Bumps on Logs: Getting Small To Find Unknown Fungal Treasures Staring Us In the Face Ethan Crenson received an MFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts in NYC in the 1990s. He runs two companies, a graphic design company and a gallery/publishing house for artists’ multiples. He became interested in fungi around 10 years ago and joined the New York Mycological Society shortly thereafter. He is an active contributor to the five borough fungal survey, Gary Lincoff’s effort to inventory the fungal inhabitants of NYC. He became interested in very small fungi about three years ago.

March 19th Roy Halling Mushrooms of Costa Rica: An Overview Roy Halling received a masters degree in 1976 at San Francisco State Univer- sity with a thesis on the Boletaceae of the Sierra Nevada. He earned a doctor- ate degree from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1980. He then held a two-year postdoctoral position at Harvard University at the Farlow Herbarium. In 1983 he accepted the position of assistant curator of mycology at the New York Botanical Garden, where he currently holds the position of research mycologist and curator of mycology. While in New York, he began to focus on the macrofungi of South America. He obtained a National Science Founda- tion grant to do a survey of the Collybia in South America. This survey began a fifteen-year collaboration with Dr. Greg Mueller to document macrofungi of the oak forests in Costa Rica. He continues his work in Costa Rica and is actively involved in international collaboration with other specialists on the systematics, biogeography, and phylogeny of boletes, with particular emphasis in Australia and Southeast Asia.

April 23rd Rachel Swenie Mushrooms with Teeth: The History, Diversity, and Edibility of the Mushroom Genus Hydnum Rachel Swenie is a PhD student in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, where she studies the diversity, evolution, and biogeography of mushroom-forming fungi. She has done mycological field work throughout the southeastern US and in southern South America. Originally from Chicago, Rachel formerly ran an edible mushroom farm where she cultivated a variety of gourmet mushrooms.

May 21st Richard Jacob DNA Barcoding and the Mycoflora Project Richard Jacob is a scientist working in the field of proteomics identifying and quantitating peptides and proteins. His work has taken him from his home town of Cambridge in the UK to Germany and the USA. He became very interested in mushrooms when he moved to Pittsburgh and found morels growing in the backyard and joined Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club so that he could learn how to find more. Recently Richard has used his scientific background to pioneer the clubs DNA barcoding project and he is a member of the NAMA Mycoflora committee. In 2016 Richard was awarded the Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award by NAMA for his contributions to the WPMC and wider community.

4 Praying For Rain? by Dennis Aita

This past September and October subtropical sources, sometimes a lot. our tropical systems. This year they had one of the driest periods that I And when we get a good amount of had well above normal temperatures can remember. As I am writing this rain, we get those great fall mush- and with them the increased energy article (the third weekend of October), room seasons including lots of Bole- which resulted in an unbelievable most of the NYC metropolitan area tus edulis in the Northeast. hurricane season with one storm has received only about a ½ inch of after another, many of them reach- rain in the last 7 weeks. On average, But it isn’t often we get these ex- ing land in Texas, the Eastern US, most months in NYC receive about ceptional seasons. August, Septem- and the Caribbean including Puerto 4 inches of rain. The lack of rainfall, ber and October have less average Rico. While not every year will be as combined with lots of sunny dry days, rainfall than other times of the year. bad - some will probably be worse - plenty of summer-like heat, and many (January and February also average the future looks clear to me as well windy days, led to increasingly dry less than 4 inches per month). It’s the as to many weather forecasters. So soils during this period. time when the summer thunderstorms this year’s weather will probably not have passed and before the North- be an anomaly. Either we get tropi- There was a club pop-up walk in easters and late fall weather systems cal systems or their remnants, or we Prospect Park the last weekend of begin. So, without tropical and sub- will often wind up getting very little September. As I was biking in Brook- tropical systems in our area, we often precipitation in the late summer and lyn that day, I decided to go. We saw get dry Septembers and Octobers as early autumns. plenty of hen-of-the-woods (Grifola we did this year. frondosa) that had come out with the And when we get these tropical cool rains from the very beginning of As it happened this year we actually systems they often cause tremen- September. But, almost all of the hens did get some rain from some of these dous destruction and death, locally were dried out with the incredibly dry tropical systems – from the remnants as Sandy and Irene did in recent conditions which followed those early of Harvey in first days of September years, but more often the destruction rains. There were none in good condi- which helped bring out the hens in and deaths occur in more southern tion. The woods were bone dry. While places and then a few showers later locales and then sometimes we get biking back through Park Slope, while in the month from the western edges the remnants of these storms (e.g., waiting for the light to turn green, I of Jose. But overall not that much rain Harvey and Jose this year) with far just happened to look down to see in September and October. lesser effects. I must say that I am a book on the corner sidewalk. The now a little ambivalent when online I Yes, the earth is warming. Too many title: “Praying for Rain”. watch the beginnings of these storms months now have above normal in the tropical and subtropical waters. temperatures. Because evapotrans- While I am not one to pray – for Where will they go? What destruc- piration (the process of transferring mushrooms or anything else – I must tion will occur if they reach land? So, moisture from the earth to the at- admit to possibly spending a little while I certainly will not be praying for mosphere) is increased with warmer too much time looking at maps and rain I now feel increasingly uncomfort- temperatures we are seeing more forecasts from online weather sites able when I follow these developing periods of very dry soils and fewer of (Accuweather, Intellicast, Weather storms and hope that we get some the fungi that fruit from the mycelia in Street, NOAA, etc.) during the spring, good rain. summer, and fall the weather can get these soils. And our waters are get- very interesting from the late sum- ting warmer. The Gulf of Mexico, the mer into the fall season. It is when Caribbean Sea, and the North Atlantic we often get rainfall from tropical and are the major breeding grounds for

5 A Roundup of New York City Fungi for 2017 Another Banner Year for the NYMS Bolete Patrol by Tom Bigelow 2017 was a strange year for fungi in our area: it began with a cool, wet spring and early summer, and closed with a warm, dry fall. There were 35 walks in the city in 2017: six official walks (which included the club’s first foray to Randall’s Island), and 29 pop-up walks. Combined, these walks turned up 76 new species for the city and increased the species count for every park we visited. Over 20 of the new species for the city are ascomycetes of the “bumps on sticks” variety, determined by Ethan Crenson! A debt of gratitude is due to the regular members of the Bolete Patrol (you know who you are!), who came out nearly every weekend throughout the year, undaunted by cold, heat, rain, snow, and dry conditions. Amanita parcivolvata temperatures above normal. Even so, club members found 9 new species for the park, and one for the city: Leucopaxillus gigantea (f.k.a., Clitocybe gigantea). Cunningham Park, Queens. Three pop-up walks were held at Cunningham Park, on April 15, July 23, and November 5. Combined, these walks yielded 13 new species for the park and 2 new species for the city, including, on November 5, the elusive discomycete Claussenomyces atrovirens, growing on an unidenti- fied hydnoid crust fungus, which Tricholomopsis rutilans used to be called C. hydnicola, in- dicating its preferred habitat. It was Alley Pond Park, Queens. The club as in years’ past: January 1, February also found the following weekend in visited Alley Pond Park on May 20, 19, and June 25. These three walks Van Cortlandt Park, growing on the July 1, August 27, and December turned up 3 new species for the park, same hydnoid crust. We also found 12. These visits turned up 95 new and 1 for the city (Eutypella leprosa). an unusual jelly ascomycete Coryne species for the park and 14 for the Gary Lincoff, Ethan Crenson, and dubia, the anamorph of Ascocoryne city, including a collection of Pluteus Larry Millman held a mini pop-up walk sarcoides. Interestingly, the only americanus (with bluing stipe and on March 6, and that walk brought to Ascocoryne we’ve found in the city is gills), and Camillea tinctor, a neo- light the London Plain tree pathogen, Ascocoryne cylichnium! tropical Diatrype look-alike that stains identified by Ethan, Macrodiplodiopsis the wood it grows on bright orange. desmazieresii. If you see a dead, Forest Park, Queens. There were (Ethan Crenson first found this exotic bark-free limb on a London Plane just two winter pop-up walks in Forest fungus while “freelancing” in Prospect tree, you’re mostly likely seeing the Park, on January 28 and December Park on 10.12.17. It was also collect- work of this virulent pathogen. 10, the latter of which was in 4 inches ed a week later, on the NYMS walk at of snow! Despite the challenging con- Clove Lakes, Staten Island. The fi- Tallman!) ditions, 12 new species were added nal official walk of the year, October to the park list and 2 new species for Central Park, Manhattan. There 28 was our only foray to Clove the city. were not as many Central Park walks Lakes. Conditions were dry and

6 Jafnea semitosta Leccinellum crocipodium

Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. Pelham Bay Park (Hunter Island), Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx. The There was a single pop-up walk at Bronx. The Bolete Patrol made three club visited Van Cortlandt Park on Greenwood on June 17. The start of trips to Pelham Bay in 2017, on April February 25 (with Jan Thornhill), July the walk was delayed for about an 23 (with Nik Money), June 10 (with 16, and November 11. Combined, hour due to pouring rain. Club mem- Britt Bunyard and Giuliana Furci), these walks turned up 8 new species bers sought shelter in the Gothic gate and September 10. The 3 walks net- for the city and 21 new species for at the main entrance to wait it out. ted 9 new species for the city and the park. After the rain let up, the Bolete Patrol 26 new species for the park. Among Wolfe’s Pond/Prince’s Bay, Staten added 22 species to the park list. the new additions to the NYC list Island. This spectacular walk added 9 Also, Sigrid Jacob undertook her own were Erynia sepulchralis, a zygomy- new species for New York City and 36 survey of Greenwood Cemetery in cete parasitic on Crane Flies, found new species for the park. Sebastian 2017 – see her observations on by Leah Krauss; Jafnea semitosta, Mekas found Tolypocladium iNaturalist.org. a discomycete looking like a Peziza (Elaphocordyceps) ophioglossoi- with razor stubble and a pinched High Rock Park, Staten Island. des attached to two false truffles base; Tricholomopsis rutilans (“Plums The two pop-up walks at High Rock (Elaphomyces sp.). It was a great and Custard”), a beautiful mushroom park were on April 9 and August 5. day for waxcaps, which we rarely grown on decaying wood of conifers The two walks turned up 7 new see in the city. Three were collected (found in the white pine grove). species for the city and 36 new spe- on the walk, including Hygrocybe cies for the the park. Matt Schink, Prospect Park, Brooklyn. There parvula – new to the city. Another who presented to the club on the were 7 (that’s right, 7!) pop-up walks standout was Sebacina incrustans, genus Ganoderma in March 2017, in Prospect Park: on January 14, an ectomycorrhizal jelly fungus which said that he thought we’d have February 5, March 5 (with Lawrence grows up around the bases of her- Ganoderma lobatum in the city. A Millman), June 3, September 23, baceous plants; a new bolete for the couple of weeks after Matt’s visit, November 26, and December 23. city, Leccinellum crocipodium; and Tim Foster found G. lobatum at High These walks turned up 8 new species odd polypore that grows on fallen Rock Park on April 9! We have sub- for the city and 27 new species for sticks and branches in wet areas, sequently found it in five other parks the park. During the summer, condi- Loweomyces fractipes (we found it (see below). The August walk turned tions were dry, so no fleshy fungi were on 3 subsequent city walks as well); up 167 species, including Gliophorus added. Hopefully summertime condi- the beautiful Amanita parcivolvata, a laetus (Hygrocybe laeta), a colorful, tions will be better in 2018. south eastern species, probably at viscid wax-cap with a distinctive odor the northern most point of its range Randall’s Island, Manhattan. The of burning rubber, and Suillus ameri- club’s first official walk on Randall’s Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx. canus, a white pine associate. Island, on October 14, did not Despite dry conditions, the club col- Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan. There disappoint! Despite the fairly dry lected about 60 species, including 3 were three pop-up walks in Inwood conditions, 75 species were col- new species for the city and 8 new Hill Park, on March 26, May 29, and lected, including 5 species new to species for the park. September 4, which added 4 new the city, including the unusual puffball species for the city and 12 new spe- Mycenastrum corium. There is a walk cies for the park. scheduled for autumn 2018. photos © Thomas Bigelow 7 New fungi for NYC 2017 Delicatula sp. (High Rock Park, 8.5.17) Entoloma depluens (Van Cortlandt Park, 7.16.17) Individual walk lists can be found on the NYMS website: Flammulaster erinaceellus (Alley Pond, 7.1.17; Prospect Park, http://newyorkmyc.org/ 6.3.17; Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17; High Rock Park, 8.5.17) Gliophorus laetus (High Rock Park, 8.5.17) ASCOMYCETES Gymnopus alkalivirens (Alley Pond, 5.20.17) Arachnopeziza variepilosa (Inwood, 5.29.17) Hygrocybe miniata (Pelham Bay, 9.10.17) Berkleasmium congoblatum (Clove Lakes, 10.28.17) Hygrocybe parvula (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Bertia moriformis var. moriformis (Van Cortlandt Park, 2.25.17; Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Alley Pond, 5.20.17) Prospect Park, 6.3.17) Lactarius rimosellus (Van Cortlandt Park, 7.16.17) Byssosphaeria rhodomphala (Prospect Park, 2.5.17; Van Leucopaxillus giganteus (Clove Lakes, 10.28.17) Cortlandt Park, 11.11.17) Macrolepiota procera (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Calycina heterospora (Van Cortlandt Park, 11.11.17; Prospect Marasmius strictipes (High Rock Park, 8.5.17) Park, 12.23.17) Pholiota granulosa (Alley Pond, 5.20.17) Camillea punctulata (Prospect Park, 1.14.17; Forest Park, Pluteus americanus (Alley Pond Park, 8.27.17) 1.28.17; Prospect Park, 2.5.17; Van Cortlandt Park, 2.25.17; Rhodocollybia maculata (Alley Pond Park, 8.27.17) Alley Pond Park, 12.2.17; Prospect Park, 12.23.17) Russula flavida (Alley Pond Park, 8.27.17) Camillea tinctor (Alley Pond Park, 12.2.17) Russula maculata (Alley Pond Park, 8.27.17 Capronia sp. (Alley Pond Park, 8.27.17) Tricholomopsis rutilans (Pelham Bay, 9.10.17) Clausennomyces atrovirens (Cunningham Park, 11.5.17; Van Cortlandt Park, 11.11.17) CRUST FUNGI Coryne dubia (Cunningham Park, 11.5.17) Athelia archnoidea (Prospect Park, 3.5.17) Creosphaeria sassafras (Alley Pond Park, 12.2.17) Athelia macularis (Woodlawn Cemetery, 10.1.17) Cryptovalsa cf. prominens (Randall’s Island, 10.14.17; Van Dendrothele macrodens (Woodlawn Cemetery, 10.1.17) Cortlandt Park, 11.11.17) Phlebia auria (Alley Pond Park, 12.2.17) Dactylospora stygia (Prospect Park, 1.14.17; Cunningham, Stereum rugosum (Prospect Park, 3.5.17) 4.15.17) POLYPORES Dinemasporium decipiens (Inwood, 3.26.17) Ceriporia reticulata (Prospect Park, 3.5.17) Elaphomyces sp. (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Ganoderma lobatum (High Rock Park, 4.9.17; Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17; Eutypella leprosa (Central Park, 2.19.17) Cunningham Park, 7.23.17; Clove Lakes, 10.28.17; Van Cortlandt Helminthosporium velutinum (Prospect Park, 11.26.17) Park, 11.11.17; Alley Pond Park, 12.2.17) Helvella costifera (Inwood, 5.29.17) Loweomyces fractipes (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17; Van Cortlandt Park, Hyalorbilia inflatula (Alley Pond Park, 8.27.17) 7.16.17; High Rock Park, 8.5.17; Pelham Bay, 9.10.17) Hypomyces cervinus (Pelham Bay, 6.10.17) Polyporus radicatus (Pelham Bay, 6.10.17) Jafnea semitosta (Pelham Bay, 9.10.17) Lachnum bicolor (Van Cortlandt Park, 2.25.17) CORAL FUNGI Leotia viscosa (High Rock Park, 8.5.17) Clavulinopsis fusiformis (High Rock Park, 8.5.17) Macrodiplodiopsis desmazieresii (Central Park, 3.6.17) JELLY FUNGI Massaria inquinans (Forest Park, 12.10.17) Dacrymyces stillatus (Randall’s Island, 10.14.17) Neonectria ditissima (Woodlawn Cemetery, 10.1.17) Sebacina incrustans (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Patinellaria sanguinea (Randall’s Island, 10.14.17; Van Cortlandt Park, 11.11.17) GASTEROMYCETES Periconia cookei (Forest Park, 12.10.17) Astraeus hygrometricus (Van Cortlandt Park, 7.16.16) Psiloglonium pusillum (Van Cortlandt Park, 2.25.17; Inwood, Cyathus stercoreus (Randall’s Island, 10.14.17) 3.26.17, Alley Pond, 5.20.17; Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Mycenastrum corium (Randall’s Island, 10.14.17) Rhytisma americana (Randall’s Island, 10.14.17; Van Cortlandt Sphaerobolus stellatus (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17; Randall’s Island, Park, 11.11.17) 10.14.17) Sphaeropsis sapinea (Prospect Park, 2.5.17) ZYGOMYCETES Sphaerosporium lignatile (Pelham Bay, 9.10.17) Erynia sepulchralis (Pelham Bay, 6.10.17) Tolypocladium ophioglossoides (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Tubeufia cerea (Pelham Bay, 9.10.17) RUSTS Puccinia sparganioides (Inwood, 5.29.17) BOLETES Boletus nobilissimus (Van Cortlandt Park, 7.16.17) MYXOMYCETES Leccinellum crocipodium (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Stemonitis fusca (Pelham Bay, 6.10.17) Suillus americanus (High Rock Park, 8.5.17)

GILLED MUSHROOMS Amanita parcivolvata (Wolfe’s Pond, 7.8.17) Callistosporium purpureomarginatum (Alley Pond, 7.1.17)

8 Mushrooms Grow in Chinatown

By Alberto H. Arensberg

There is my Ganoderma Sessile patch by the east river bandshell, as if I had planted it myself, I tend to it and keep it free of litter. Nearby, I find oysters growing on an oak. Up east broadway, towards canal street, I’ve noticed mini studded puffballs growing inside a planter box, and further up ahead, a patch of green- spored parasols reached full maturity in front of my favorite deli (I pick them so no one gets any funny ideas and because I greatly enjoy their spore prints). It is well known that our more prominent parks and cemeteries can be abundant in their fungal growth, but you never hear it mentioned that mushrooms grow in Chinatown!

I am in the mere infancy of my relationship with Mycology and it has already transformed my view of the world and it’s potential for ecological With a choice specimen from my G. Sessile patch remediation. I am working on identifying 40+ species I have found in lower It all started last fall when I bought Suddenly, I was cataloging different Manhattan this past summer (my a version of Simon and Schuster’s tags and creating my own hierarchy roommate is attempting to set bound- guide to Mushrooms, edited by Gary of street artists based on style, loca- aries as to how many specimens I can Lincoff. This, in conjunction with tion and regularity. I was completely bring home). I am hungry to learn as reading a biography on John Cage, obsessed and began indulging in the much as possible and grateful for all led to my discovery of the New York practice myself, which ultimately led I have experienced within this incred- Mycological Society. I started to do to a handful of nights at central book- ible and welcoming community. my research learned the difference ing and around $1,500 worth of fines. between a Morel, a Matsutake and a I realized just how complicated this art If you would like to share your down- Chanterelle. I began guessing at the form could be and that I couldn’t just town mycological findings with me pronunciation of words like Bolete, dive in as some inexperienced punk. please send to [email protected] Lichen, Amanita and a beautiful new world began to unfurl before me like a My discovery and growing love of Alberto Hamonet hosts a compelling bodega lily in bloom. mycology feels far more sustainable podcast, “Mushroom Music”, in which and positive. Back then, I was drawn he records conversations with mush- Rarely does the discovery of some- toward the darkness and chaos of the room enthusiasts. Please listen to his thing new transform the way in which city, now I want to find ways to re- archive at http://listen.know-wave. I see my geographical environment. main grounded and calm in this crazy com/shows/mushroom-music An experience similar to this adven- place. Now, my attention is fixated on - ed. ture into mycology was my interest planter boxes, wood chip piles and in graffiti during my first years living any patch of grass I can find. Instead in NYC. Young, wild, and desperate of looking up at the roof tops I am to make my mark on this city I was looking down at Manhattan’s elusive instantly drawn to the outlaw art form. natural moments and finding fungi!

9 Symposium on White Nose Syndrome in Bats

Tuesday April 4, 2017 Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale, NY

Reported by Pam Kray

On Tuesday, April 4, 2017, I attended surviving bat populations, but none been decimated: Indiana bat (Myotis the third symposium on White Nose was particularly sanguine about the Sodalis) 80% down, tri-colored bat Syndrome (WNS) in Bats in New York future. (Perimyotis subflavus) 98-99% down, State, sponsored by the Williams northern long-eared bat (Myotis To recap, the White Nose Syndrome Lake Resort in Rosendale, NY. The septentrionalis) 99% down, and the was noticed in the Rosendale area Williams Lake property includes little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) of New York State (eastern Ulster mines that provide shelter for bat 91% down. County about 95 miles north of NYC) hibernation. While caves exist in in 2007-8. The dead bats exhibiting At first, the disease was called “White the area as well, Rosendale and its white spots primarily on their muzzles Nose Syndrome” to indicate that it environs were mined for cement were first noticed near Albany, NY, in was unclear what was happening from 1825 until 1970. Rosendale 2006-7. The disease has spread in the with the bats. Characterized by is home to many old mines and intervening 10 years to 30 states and white spots on the nose, wings and dug-out rock areas that provide 5 Canadian provinces. Cave bats are extremities, it is now recognized cave-like conditions. In 2007-8 the the populations affected, four species as a disease caused by the fungus resort reported some of the most in particular out of the six species of Pseudogymnoascus destructans dramatic evidence of WNS, when cave bats in our area. Of the six New (formerly known as Geomyces the property was covered with dead York State cave bat species, two are destructans). This is a fatal disease bats. The mines there have been not seeing population declines. Those in North American bats that was closed to the public in an attempt to are the big brown bat (Eptesicus and still is considered to have been protect existing populations. All of the fuscus) and the eastern small-footed brought into North American (New presenters expressed the importance bat (Myotis leibii). The other four have York State) caves by humans. WNS is of not exacerbating stress on the

10 widely known in European and Asiatic observation has been that coastal has only been shown to inhibit 1 of bat populations without the obvious plains, (Long Island and Martha’s 37 other fungal species in vivo in the consequences (fatalities) seen here. Vineyard), northern long-eared bats caves: P. destructans. For this reason It is presumed that P. destructans have significantly better survival rates it presented itself as a possible has existed in those areas for a long than the same species in the inland biological agent in vivo. P. destructans time and has perhaps co-evolved areas. These bats seem to have itself has been grown on various with those bat populations. It does found warmer local hibernation sites media in the lab, but in vivo has only seem mysterious that after 500 or so in crevices in house basements and been known to attack bats. years of European infiltration of North foundations. The cold-loving fungus America, the cave bats have become is less successful at the temperatures The work is taking place in the mines infected with P. destructans now. above 55˚. This adaptation from at Williams Lake in Rosendale in these northern long-eared bats has Ulster County. Progress and results Although it is thought that people reinforced the notion of the role are necessarily slow, given that it is probably brought the fungus to played by the temperature threshold only during the winter hibernation that the cave bats, the fungus and the of P. destructans. treatment can be given. Furthermore, disease has been spread from bat to in attempting to be least intrusive, bat. P. destructans is a high-humidity, Bat surveys are ongoing at only one or two people are allowed cold-loving fungus, that does not Brookhaven National Laboratory and into the hibernaculum. So far, the present much danger to bats at in other locations on Long Island. results are not overwhelming but temperatures above about 55˚ F. The Volunteers from wildlife groups are the researchers are «guardedly skin infection is the primary cause involved with the surveys of the hopeful.» The Williams Lake cave- of death, in that it disturbs the bats’ bats, according to Michael Fishman bat population is still the second hibernation. They wake up too often (from Environmental Resources highest in New York State. However, and cannot survive the cold weather Management), who spoke about pre-WNS numbers were at 97,000 during which time, among other this observed resilience on the bats, while 2014-15 saw numbers at factors of the cold season, their food (basically sand) islands of the 38,000. And, it must be remembered, sources are not around. eastern coastal plains. This kind that of that number, some species of citizen science involvement in have declined 98-99%, virtually to The symposium discussed scientific surveying the bats is familiar to the extinction. inquiry into the disease as well as NYMS as we participate in other the possible science of resistance fungal documentation. Surveying Fungal infections worldwide have and then some management efforts northern long-eareds before and after now wiped out several species of underway. Carl Herzog, of the WNS on Long Island and Martha’s frogs and have threatened other NY Department of Environmental Vineyard has shown fewer declines in amphibious populations, such as Conservation (DEC), opened the populations. certain salamanders. In other groups, presentations with an overview of the timber rattlesnakes are seeing bats and the disease, delivering much Dr. Craig Frank from Fordham declines, possibly or in part, because of the information outlined above. University spoke next on the role of fungal attacks. We are already With fluorescent imaging of the bats of certain stratum corneum lipid familiar with tree devastation from wings (literally shining a green or classes of fatty acids that seem to fungi (Dutch elm disease; American purplish fluorescent-colored light have a role in resilience. Species chestnut blight). at the skin of the bats), it has been with higher levels of fatty acids are possible to see how invasive the better able to fight off the infection. Fungus-caused diseases, combined white-spotted infection can be within More investigation into this aspect with insectival attacks, world warming the animal. It is considered that if of internal resistance possibilities is temperatures and melting ice, present a bat survives the winter, then it is ongoing because the types of fatty an enormous ecological emergency, «cured» because it will not suffer acids and the levels according to the scientists speaking during its normal waking season. of lipids offer varying degrees of at the White Nose Symposium. However, the same animal can observed resilience. Each speaker, especially Alan be infected anew during the next Hicks, reiterated deep concern for hibernation; thus, actual resistance Alan Hicks of the NYS Department of the environment and for all living has not been shown in bats that have Public Health spoke about preliminary organisms. The surveys and the work survived infection. management experiments with that professionals and amateurs alike a fungal treatment, Trichoderma are undertaking continue to be an Among the first remedial efforts taken polysporum, that did well in the lab important part of understanding and has been to foster uninterrupted against P. destructans. T. polysporum helping as many species as possible bat hibernation. Bat-populated is naturally found in caves and mines. survive. caves are now largely off limits to While it has inhibited several species human visitors. One very interesting in lab experiments, T. polysporum

11 Foray Newfoundland and Labrador, 2017

By Mical Moser

If you ever decide to go to the New- the store. “I had to get my water,” she into sphagnum, emerging hours later, foundland and Labrador Foray, make said, “it’s from this one stream, the grinning and with branches in one’s sure you take some time to travel best in the province. We all do it here.” hair. I learned the difference between around that enchanting province, and a bog and a fen and how to use a while you’re traveling, make sure you As for mushrooms, it seemed that ev- safety whistle. I learned about the continue to wear your bright orange ery waiter, waitress, and anyone else extensive work behind their serious cap emblazoned with the Foray’s we asked had an opinion about where field research and collection making— name. Strangers will greet you (“it’s the best place was to find them, and they identify, document, photograph, the Foray!”), share their mushrooming they were generally willing to share (in dry, and catalogue every mushroom suggestions (“it’s basically a moose broad strokes), though first they often species, slime mold, and lichen they path but there are edibles!”) and send apologized that they knew nothing can. I went to every talk and work- you off with warmth (“pleasure, my about mushrooms beyond how to find shop I could fit in. I left with great darling!”). The mountains of the Great two maybe three kinds, maybe four if respect for Hebelomas; reverence for Northern Peninsula were as stunning you include the winter chanterelle. the early emergence of lichens (600 as the Canadian Rockies, the ocean million years ago!), and the disci- was clear and blue, and the air felt I expect every mycology club is its pline of lichen collectors (if you think nearly explosive with oxygen. own tribe, with its own mores, in- mushroomers move slowly, peering terests, and cuisines, and it was a and swiping with a knife at every The culture there has not so much privilege to be a guest of the New- bump, pity the poor lichen collec- rediscovered the self-sufficient satis- foundland mushroom nation with its tor who pauses with a chisel at each faction of foraging, but rather, never emphasis on science and generosity rock); admiration for the discipline of lost it. Newfoundland is a place where of moose burgers and spell-binding long-term site studies; appreciation forests are still treated as Commons mounds of cooked chanterelles. I of morphological analysis (aided, we and by late August, people’s winter learned that in Newfoundland they were cautioned, but certainly not re- wood was cut and piled up by the spend their springs looking for morels placed by DNA analysis); and wonder sides of the roads, often near random- under balsam firs, or spruce, or pine. I at mushrooms and their meanings in seeming picket-fenced gardens learned that “tuckamore” is a New- cultures pre- and post-industrial. (you takes the soil where you find it) foundland word meaning trees that blooming with cabbages, beets, and grow windblown, low, and dense. I Next year’s will be on the Avalon turnips. Foraged mushrooms, berries, concluded, based on no etymologi- Peninsula. I’ve never been there, but moose, rabbits, and fish are genuinely cal evidence, that chanterelles are when I look into my crystal ball I see depended on to keep body and soul called such because upon finding a that it’s spell-bindingly beautiful; I see together; even the water is foraged, or patch, one is pulled into their spell you getting your foot soaked in a bog; so said Babs at The Birdhouse & Bin- and lies singing on the moss beneath I see you with enchantment in your ocular Shop in St. John’s by way of the tuckamore, and then crawls eyes and tuckamore in your hair. explaining why she was late opening around enchanted, sticking fingers Photos by Mical Moser

12 tion, a detailed description – includ- Book Review ing remarks on odor and taste. The descriptions continue with notes on by Tom Bigelow habitat and range, spore characters and size. Each description concludes with a “comments” section, which may include mention of edibility, toxicity, lookalikes, etymology, brief summaries of molecular studies, etc. The photographs (many of which are by NEMF regular Renée Lebeuf), are generally very good.

Professor Baroni’s specialty is pink- spored agarics, in particular, En- toloma and allies. You’d be correct in thinking that this book covers a host of these often-overlooked fungi. In fact, 34 species of the following gen- era are treated: Clitopilus, Entoloma, Calliderma, Nolanea, Inocephalus, Trichopilus, Pouzarella, Entocybe, Clitocella, Clitopilopsis, Rhodocybe, Rhodophana, Alboleptonia, Leptonia, and Claudopus. This section is surely one of the books great strengths, another being the section on Boletes, Timothy J. Baroni which covers 65 species. Baroni Mushrooms of the Northeastern treats some unusual fungi, covered United States and Eastern Canada, by few, if any, other field guides, for Portland: Timber Press, 2017 example the uncommon and beautiful Calliderma idigofera, looking like 599 pages a pink-spored Russula. It seems to 600+ color illustrations enjoy the company of Atlantic white ISBN-10: 1604696346 cedar and is known only from the ISBN-13: 978-160-4696349 New Jersey Pine Barrens. (The one $27.95 pictured in the book was collected 8.5” x 6”x 1.25”, 3lbs and photographed by NJMA member Nina Burghardt!) Other oddities Timothy J. Baroni’s new field guide, include Nidularia pulvinata (page 505) Mushrooms of the Northeastern and Physalacria inflata (p. 489). United States and Eastern Canada is a welcome addition to any mushroom Since getting a copy late last summer, © Kat Moon hunter’s library – especially if that I’ve taken Mushrooms of the North- mushroom hunter lives in our area. eastern United States with me into the woods in New York, New Jersey, The book’s format will be familiar to Massachusetts, and Maine – and it users of mushroom field guides. It be- rewarded wherever it went. Readers gins with a good introduction to fungi, may bemoan the lack of polypores their biology, and key structures, (35), ascomycetes (41), crust fungi and offers tips for collecting and (0) treated in the book – but had they proper identification. The back matter been included, the reader may have includes a helpful overview of basic not been willing to take the book microscopy and a glossary of over into the field. As it is, the books size, 200 mycological terms. Most of the weight, and sturdy, flexible bind- book’s nearly 600 pages are given to ing make for a book that is truly a descriptions of 520 species. The de- field guide. So make sure it’s in your scriptions provide the current name, backpack the next time you go into synonymy, a thumb-nail descrip- the woods!

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