z“Mushroom” is used in broader sense in popular mushroom guides. They usually include: „Ascomycota (Discomycetes) Wild Edible Mushrooms

Typically produce fruiting bodies that are disk- to cup-shaped, as in above examples: Sarcoscypha mesocanta (left) and PlectaniaPlectania sp.sp. (right)(right)

zBut shape of the fruitbodies quite zAnother reason for including variable: Ascomycota is because of many desirable, edible species in this group. „These include:

„They may have a stalk and cap, and resemble true mushrooms as Tuber magnatum Morchella esculenta in Leotia lubrica, above. (Truffle) (Morel)

zAscomycota and Basidiomycota superficially similar, but differ from zThe remaining groups of “mushrooms” in the types of spores produced: belong to the Basidiomycota, i.e, they produce basidia and basidiospores. zIn popular mushroom guides, other members of Basidiomycota, other than mushrooms, are usually included. Ascomycota produce ascospores in sac-like cells called asci [singular=ascus] (left) Basidiomycota produce basidiospores on club-shaped cells called basidia (right).

1 zCoral and tooth fungi: zBracket fungus and stinkhorn:

Pycnoporus Dictyophora Ramaria fragilima, a Auriscalpium vulgare, sanguineus, a cinnabarina, a coral fungus a tooth fungus polypore stinkhorn

zEarthstar and bolete: zThere are many people who collect mushrooms for the purpose of consumption. zPractice probably began during prehistory, in hunting and gathering period. „Plants and mushrooms were gathered. Geastrum tripex, Suillus „Plants became important staple, but an Earth Stars salmonicolor, a Bolete not mushrooms.

zMushrooms were mysterious. zMushrooms were mysterious.

Omphalotus olearius gills glow in the dark (Foxfire)

2 zMushrooms usually could not be grown like crop plants. zLed to many myths concerning mushrooms. Many started during Dark Ages. „Mushrooms seemed to be supernatural in origin. „Common names of some species still Tremella mesenterica, Marasmius oreades, reflect their associations with “Witch’s Butter” “Fairy Ring Mushroom” supernatural beings.

zThere are many myths concerning how to determine the edibility of mushrooms: „Often a fool proof test by which you can separate poisonous mushrooms from those that are edible is involved: A mushroom is poisonous if it Amanita verna, Helvella lacunosa, turns silver black while being “Destroying Angel” “Elfin Saddle” cooked, or is white. If the cap peels, it is safe to eat.

„Fool proof means of distinguishing zAre most mushrooms poisonous? edible and poisonous mushrooms „No, of the approximately 6,000 (continued). species of known mushrooms, By observing which species about 60 are poisonous, of these, foraging animals consume will only a handful will be fatal. tell you which species are zThen why are there so many edible. people that die from mushroom „There are many more. Is there a poisoning? fool proof test? „A case of mistaken identity. Almost Trial and error is fool proof in 92% of mushroom poisoning fatalities determining which species are is due to consumption of Amanita edible and which poisonous. phalloides. 1

3 „Individuals collecting A. calytrata for 20 years or more have mistaken A. phalloides for A. calytrata. zDoesn’t the taste of the toxin warn the consumer that the mushroom is poisonous? „No. In fact, A. phalloides is reported to have a pleasant taste, which is why people have consumed such large amounts of this mushroom. It only Amanita phalloides, Amanita Calyptrata, requires a single cap to kill the Death Cap Coccora consumer!

Origin of Collecting Mushrooms zIf A. phalloides is so poisonous, is it Origin of Collecting Mushrooms even safe to touch it? zCollecting mushrooms for consumption „Yes, it is safe to touch any mushroom. originated when mankind was still hunting The toxins that are responsible for and foraging for food. sickness and/or death must be zMen hunted and women foraged for consumed before they can harm an plants. Mushrooms gathered with plants. individual. zBy trial and error, plants and mushrooms z zHow safe is it to forage for mushrooms? gathered divided into categories: „Pretty safe, if common sense is used. There are a number of species that „Edible „“Religious” cannot be mistaken for something „Poisonous else. Stick with those. „Medicinal

zOther questions for thought: zOther questions for thought: „Why go out collecting for „Why go out collecting for mushrooms at all? (We can buy mushrooms at all? (We can buy mushrooms we know are edible at mushrooms we know are edible at the store!) the store!) The thrill of the hunt, some Number of people collecting people like to living dangerously, mushrooms growing. who knows. Hawai‘i does not have a large Nutritionally, mushrooms fall number of people collecting and between vegetables and animal consuming mushrooms. Why? proteins.

4 Most mushrooms form ectomycorrhizae zOther questions for thought: and presence of such trees are not that „Are there some species that are common in Hawai‘i. only sometimes edible? Nevertheless, some people do collect Even the mushrooms described fungi for consumption, i.e., Auricularia as very desirable cannot always cornea, the Pepeiau. be eaten by some individuals. Cook mushrooms!

zWhat is the difference between a zWhat kind of person goes out to toadstool and a mushroom? collect mushroom for the purpose of „Difference is mostly in usage: consumption? Generally, “toadstool” is used to „According to the ethnomycologist, refer to poisonous mushrooms Gordon Wasson, there are two and “mushrooms” is used for types of people in the world. those that are edible. Mycophiles: People who love to eat There is not a morphological basis mushrooms. for separating the two. Thus, Mycophobes: People who dread and mycologists only use the term fear mushrooms. mushroom.

zA summary of the attitudes of various cultures can demonstrate difference They are all very cold and moist and „Anglo-Saxon Cultures. therefore do approach unto a Mycophobic venomous and mothering faculty and Rely upon domesticated food, not ingender clammy and cold nutriment foragers. if they be eaten. – John Gerard, Herball or Generall Historie of Often associated with evil in Plantes (1597) mythology. Attitude reflected in literature.

5 But whatever dressing one gives to mushrooms, to whatever sauce our apiciuses put them, they are realy good but to be sent back to the dung heap where they were born. – Louis de Jacourt, Champignon (1753) In Victorian England, stinkhorns were deemed obscene because of resemblance to male organ.

z A summary of the attitudes of zA summary of the attitudes of various cultures can demonstrate various cultures can demonstrate difference difference „ Anglo-Saxon Cultures (continued). „Africa  Literature did not shape opinion. Mycophilic, mushrooms part of  Children’s literature may be more everyday life and medicine. relevant. Some myths about mushrooms occurs. D Story of Babar. Some consumption due to lack of protein source, e.g., Zambia and Zaire. Few cases of mushroom poisoning occurs .

zA summary of the attitudes of zA summary of the attitudes of various cultures can demonstrate various cultures can demonstrate difference difference „India. „Native North American Cultures. Mycophobic Mycophobic Most consumption in mountainous Many Native Americans do not even areas, e.g., Kasmir and Himalayas. have it as part of diet. Overall lack of interest in Use for other purposes, e.g., consumption of mushrooms. medicine and religion. Kerala burial monuments built in Religious use not as hallucinogens. 2000-1000BC is mushroom shaped.

6 zA summary of the attitudes of zA summary of the attitudes of various cultures can demonstrate various cultures can demonstrate difference difference „Europe „Russia and Eastern Europe, i.e. Generally mycophilic Slavic groups. Each country has their favorite. Really mycophilic! Switzerland has developed a very Opposite of Anglo-Saxon. sophisticated collecting and Pronounced difference was what marketing system. interested Wasson. Finland an example of an acquired practice.

zA summary of the attitudes of zA summary of the attitudes of various cultures can demonstrate various cultures can demonstrate difference difference „South America. „Asia Most parts do not have mushrooms Asian cultures variable, but mostly as a major food item. mycophilic. China has long tradition in mushroom  However, isolate pockets of collecting. indigenous people consume Japanese also has long tradition, but mushrooms. also avid collectors as well. Stinkhorns are looked upon with great favor.

zA summary of the attitudes of zA summary of the attitudes of various cultures can demonstrate various cultures can demonstrate difference difference „Asia (continued) „Australia Medicinal use in Japan and China Mycophobic important, e.g Ganoderma lucidum. Aboriginal use also limited. Reishi of Japan and Ling Chi of China.

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