Research Projects

Our involvement in research is presently in two areas: first, our close association with the Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation, which aids students in pursuit of advanced mycological degrees and supports amateur and professional mycological programs in the Pacific Northwest; secondly, members of our society participate in various university and Forest Service research projects. The following are programs which we have been involved in or are continuing presently.

Lake Wenatchee Ranger District:

In October 1999 some of our members were involved in a project with the U.S. Forest Service, a macrofungi survey of three old-growth plots in the Lake Wenachee Ranger District of eastern Washington. Conditions were unusually dry that Autumn; however, with the help of eleven PSMS volunteers, the two day study collected and identified nearly 100 species. The goal is for repeated surveys at regular intervals to determine the full range and amplitude of resident species. Additional funding have been secured for a second survey in May, 2000. For additional information contact the project coordinator Mick Mueller.

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Survey & Distribution of Boletes in Washington State:

The Society is involved in another new and ongoing research project on the genus Boletus. The Bolete Study is still in its early stages and participation by other Washington State mushroom societies or individuals is welcome. The main goals of the project will be:

1. Determine the bolete flora and their distribution in the state of Washington.
2. develop an on-line key to aid in identification.
3. develop a database to inventory Boletus at the University of Washington Herbarium (WTU).
4. explore & disseminate further information on the culinary possibilities of boletes

See Photos from this study. coming soon
View a bibliography for this study. coming soon

For more information email Brandon Matheny, coordinator of the study.

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MAB Mushroom Study:

Six articles are based on a 3 year, interdisciplinary study looking at socio and biological aspects of chanterelle mushroom harvesting on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in the United States. They were promulgated in Ambio: The Journal of the Human Environment, Special Report No. 9, 1998, which is published by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.

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Barlow Pass Fungi Study:

A preliminary report on fungi from Barlow Pass, Washington (Ammirati, J.F., et al. McIlvainea. 1994. 11(2): pp. 10-33). PSMS members performed the bulk of collecting over a period of two years on nearly a weekly basis. This study represents the most complete list of fungi available for silver fir/western hemlock forests. Additionally, the study revealed several new taxa (not recorded in the paper) and extended the geographical range for a large number of taxa.

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The Morel Study:

The Morel Study (1972-84) was a project to determine the various morelspecies extent in Washington State.  Dr. Alexander Smith of the University of Michigan concieved the idea while out on a visit and the project wastaken up by numerous PSMS membes including Joy Spurr, George Rafanelli and Carl Herman.  Margrette Dilly chaired the group under the supervision of Dr. Stuntz, until his death.

During the 12 years, over 500 specimens of morel were collected, evaluated and dried. The study was never published; however the rough data was given to Nancy Smith Webber with the University of Oregon, while the dried speciemens were deposited at the UW Herbarium. The essential conclusion was that there are 6 specie of morel in Washington State: elata, esculenta, semilibera, deliciossa, crassipes.

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