Fungal Taxonomy and Fungal Taxonomy and Mushroom HuntingMushroom Hunting

Fungal Taxonomy and Fungal Taxonomy and Mushroom HuntingMushroom Hunting

From Domain to SpeciesFrom Domain to SpeciesFrom Domain to SpeciesFrom Domain to SpeciesWhy study taxonomy?Why study taxonomy?

DomainsDomains

KingdomsKingdoms

MAJOR TAXONOMIC GROUPINGS:Basidiomycota -- Most Basidiomycota -- Most

charismatic macrofungi; spores charismatic macrofungi; spores

produced in basidia; well-produced in basidia; well-

developed mycelium with developed mycelium with

narrow septate mycelium.narrow septate mycelium.

Ascomycota -- Include other Ascomycota -- Include other

charismatic macrofungi; spores charismatic macrofungi; spores

produced in asci; largest groupproduced in asci; largest group

Basidiomycota -- Most Basidiomycota -- Most

charismatic macrofungi; spores charismatic macrofungi; spores

produced in basidia; well-produced in basidia; well-

developed mycelium with developed mycelium with

narrow septate mycelium.narrow septate mycelium.

Ascomycota -- Include other Ascomycota -- Include other

charismatic macrofungi; spores charismatic macrofungi; spores

produced in asci; largest groupproduced in asci; largest group

Glomeromycota -- Aka Arbuscular Glomeromycota -- Aka Arbuscular

Mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they Mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they

enter the roots of the plants; include enter the roots of the plants; include

some truffle-like species; large, some truffle-like species; large,

multi-nucleate asexual sporesmulti-nucleate asexual spores

Zygomycota -- Include molds; may Zygomycota -- Include molds; may

have asexual or sexual spores; grow have asexual or sexual spores; grow

on dungon dung

Chytridiomycota -- Structured simply Chytridiomycota -- Structured simply

with unicells or short-branched with unicells or short-branched

hyphae; in aquatic and moist hyphae; in aquatic and moist

terrestrial habitatsterrestrial habitats

Deuteromycota -- Aka fungi Deuteromycota -- Aka fungi

imperfecti, include molds; not very imperfecti, include molds; not very

well-studiedwell-studied

Morchella esculentaMorchella esculenta

Amanita muscariaAmanita muscaria

This is all changing...This is all changing...

Kingdom

Division

Subdivision

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Fungi

Eumycota

Basidiomycotina

Hymenomycetes

Agaricales

Coprinaceae

Coprinus

atramentarius

Kingdom

Division

Subdivision

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Fungi

Eumycota

Basidiomycotina

Hymenomycetes

Agaricales

Coprinaceae

Coprinus

atramentarius

From Kingdom to SpeciesFrom Kingdom to SpeciesFrom Kingdom to SpeciesFrom Kingdom to Species

Types of HymeniaTypes of Hymenia

Jelly

Toothed

Gilled

Puffballs

Polypores

Truffles

Types of HymeniaTypes of Hymenia

Club, coral or fan-like

Molds Rusts

Cup

Morels, false Morels and

Elfin Saddles

Crusts

And more...

VocabularyVocabulary

Anastamose - Gills or hyphae that diverge and re-converge

Basal - At or near the base

Cespitose - Tufted or clustered

Cystidia - Microscopic specialized sterile cells projecting from the gills, tubes or stalk

Entire - Gills with smooth edges, not serrated

Epigeous - Growing above ground

Hymenia - Spore-bearing tissue

Hypogeous - Growing below ground

Lamellae - Gills

Rhizomorph - Interwoven hyphae (often visible)

Sclerotia - A balls of hyphae that can stay dormant for long periods

Sterile - Infertile

Substrate - The food source of the fungi, what it is growing on

Anastamose - Gills or hyphae that diverge and re-converge

Basal - At or near the base

Cespitose - Tufted or clustered

Cystidia - Microscopic specialized sterile cells projecting from the gills, tubes or stalk

Entire - Gills with smooth edges, not serrated

Epigeous - Growing above ground

Hymenia - Spore-bearing tissue

Hypogeous - Growing below ground

Lamellae - Gills

Rhizomorph - Interwoven hyphae (often visible)

Sclerotia - A balls of hyphae that can stay dormant for long periods

Sterile - Infertile

Substrate - The food source of the fungi, what it is growing on

Parts of a MushroomParts of a Mushroom

Descriptions of morphologyDescriptions of morphologyGet to know the

terminology of your field guide.

For every mushroom you see, try to find as

many ways to describe it as possible.

A Few important FamiliesA Few important Families

Agaricaceae: Saprophytes with

membranous stalk, gills pinkish when young and brown spores.

Some stain red, some others stain yellow. Most are

edible.

Agaricus bisporus

Amanitaceae:Ectomycorrhizal, cap may carry veil tissue,

may either have a partial or universal veil, white gills and

white spores. Responsible for roughly 90% of

mushroom poisonings.

Amanita phalloides

Boletaceae: Mycorrhizal, convex to

flat cap, has tubes (pores) as hymenia. Stalks have various

types of ornamentation.

Varying shades of yellow, brown or black

spores. Usually squishy and maggoty

but yummy.

Suillus luteus

A Few more important FamiliesA Few more important Families

Clavariaceae: Finger-like

structure, the upper half of which bears spores. May be saprotrophic,

mycorrizal or parasitic. Most are

edible but not choice, some cause

gastrointestinal distress.

Polyporaceae: Most are Bracket fungi with pores, but some have

gill-like structures, and some have

stems. Most have white spores. Saprotrophic.

Includes Trametes, Lenzites,

and Polyporus.

Russulaceae:Chalky stem, with a

brittle cap that is plane in age. The

flesh contains large spherical cells called

“sphaerocysts.” Have a hypogeous relative, like many

other epigeous fungi. Some are

edible, some cause gastrointestinal

distress.

Hunting MushroomsHunting MushroomsThere are estimated to be

10,000 species of mushrooms in North America, although I would venture to guess that

there are far more than that. Of those, about 250 are

considered edible, and only about half of those are actually

yummy. There are only a handful of species that are so poisonous that they can kill you, but a whole lot that will

give you a belly ache. There are also some species that are easier for some people to

digest than others. Always start with a small amount.

TIPS ON HUNTING MUSHROOMSWarning: Improper identification can result in sickness, and even death. Get more than one book, find other people to work with, and always double or triple check your work.

Things to look for:-substrate-recent weather-abundance-growth habit-date-location-nearby plants

Use all of your senses, move slowly. Increase your awareness of your local ecosystem, re-connect with it and watch yourself

become a part of it.

Supplies in the field:-Basket and/or non-plastic bag-knife.-ID bookSupplies back at home:-Microscope-Hand lens-More mushroom books-Paper and bowl for making spore prints

Ethical HuntingEthical Hunting

Keep in mind that mushrooms are an important food source for many

animals.

When hunting, its important to remember that each mushroom takes a lot of mycelia, sugar/energy and carbon to make, and that that’s how they distribute their spores.

Some people say only take a 1/3, or ½ of a patch. Once you get to know the

fungi personally, it’ll be easier to

estimate what an appropriate amount

looks like.

Questions...?