Spore Prints

Agnes A. Sieger, Editor

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tuesday, September 12, at 7:30 PM at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle.

Ben Woo will reminisce with slides about past exhibits. Rare and unusual mushrooms brought by our members to the show, some seen for the first time in the Pacific Northwest and some seen once and never again, will be part of his talk. Ron Post and committee chairs will recruit volunteers —“Be the best that you can be.” A “How to Collect” chat by Russ Kurtz will coach first-timers on the best ways to dig and keep mushrooms in showroom condition. Posters will be distributed.

Dick Sieger and Patrice Benson are hosting mushrooms, wine, and cheese to put you in the mood for wild volunteering. How can you miss this meeting?

CALENDAR

Sept. 12 Membership meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH

Sept. 15 Spore Prints deadline (early)

Sept. 16 Field Trip

Sept. 18 Board meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH Board Room

Sept. 23 Field Trip

Sept. 30 Field Trip

Oct. 7 Field Trip

Oct. 14–15 Annual Exhibit, Sand Point Brig

2000 ANNUAL EXHIBIT Ben Woo & Ron Post

This year’s Annual Exhibit will be our 37th. To celebrate this antiquity, we are exhuming the first chairman of the show, Ben Woo, to join with Ron Post in running the exhibit. Brandon Matheny is the technical consultant. All of you are correspondents. We will be in a new location, Sand Point, in a secure environment, the former Navy brig, from which few mushrooms can escape. The co-chairs promise a fresh look to the show. The panels that serve as partitions and backdrops are from the original show; their burlap covering is over 20 years old. They will be repaired and given new treatment. Signs and posters are being reviewed and renewed by expert graphic artists. Committee chairs have been enthusiastically stepping forward. Thanks to all.

The annual exhibit relies on an annual outpouring of volunteers. Many members come out year after year to contribute their hours and skills. Some have served all 36 years. This is not rocket science. You may be a new member and still find reward in fun and friendship as well as learning more about mushrooms. Sign up for one or more of the committees. Come to the September meeting and speak to Ben or Ron.

Join the teams collecting in widespread habitats for specimens for the display. Russ Kurtz will tell you how at the meeting, and there will be sign-up sheets.

Exhibit posters will also be distributed at the meeting. Paper your neighborhood with them. Grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores, and community centers are prime locations to publicize the show. Only a paltry 500 are available.

As in past years, members will fan out Thursday and Friday to gather specimens for the show. Moss and greenery will also be collected. Keep collections cool and damp for delivery Friday evening. The construction crews will meet Thursday afternoon or evening to repair and remodel the panels and to erect partitions. Tables will be arranged and displays put up on Friday. Friday evening we will receive and pre-sort mushroom collections. Saturday early morning (7:00 AM) will commence the crunch work of arranging trays of pre-sorted collections, identification, and labeling. This will go on all morning to meet the opening deadline of 12:00 noon. Then it’s Miller time and on with the show.

You can contact Ben Woo at (206) 722-6109, benruwoo@msn.com, and Ron Post at (206) 783-1244, ronp46@hotmail.com.

NAMA 2000 FORAY, BEAUMONT, TEXAS Brandon Matheny

The Gulf States Mycological Society, led by Pat and David Lewis, organized and managed to pull off a fabulous gathering of hobbyist and professional mycologists, mushrooms and other fungi, great food, and entertainment alike in Beaumont, Texas, this past early June. The site, about 50 miles from the Gulf Coast and near the border of SW Louisiana, held quite an array of trees and plants, including an odd mingling of Beech and Yucca. Field trip locations tended to be dominated by trees quite unlike those of the Pacific Northwest. These included ectomycorrhizal associates Beech, Oaks, and Longleaf and Loblolly Pines. Magnolias, Cypress, Sweet Gums, and Hickory were also present at many sites.

Nearly 260 collections of mushrooms, boletes, polypores, chanterelles, coral-like fungi, teeth-fungi, and slime molds were vouchered as part of NAMA’s ongoing documentation of North American fungal diversity led in large part by Pat Leacock, now at the Field Museum. How many of the fungi documented in the Gulf Coast region occur in the Pacific Northwest? About zilcho!

Both Denis Benjamin and I were simply amazed (and overwhelmed) by the tremendous number of species not recognized by us, though we could recognize the genera to which they belonged. Amanita, Lactarius, Russula and the boletes (Austroboletus, Boletellus, Tylopilus, Suillus, Pulveroboletus, Boletus, Leccinum, Gyroporus, Strobilomyces, Porphyrellus and Xanthoconium) dominated the mushroom flora (mycota). Amanita farinosa is a small, slender species compared to our stout, larger variety in the Puget Sound region, which may not be A. farinosa after all according to Rod Tulloss.

Tom Volk discussed how the true L. sulphureus actually is limited to oak causing a butt rot. In addition, Scott Redhead presented recent research findings that indicate the Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) is, in fact, not a Coprinus at all but rather a deliquescent relative of Agaricus and Lepiota sensu lato. Furthermore, he also discussed that certain puffballs, for example, Lycoperdon, are derived descendants of the same ancestors that gave rise to Agaricus, and not other Gasteromycetes.

Among other bizarre fungi, we witnessed a number of interesting chanterelles: a cinnabar red chanterelle, the smooth chanterelle, and one chanterelle named after a local watering hole, Cantharellus tabernensis. Cheers to the Alamo.

A number of other interesting talks geared for hobbyists were delivered that touched various topics like cooking, the enigmatic William Alphonso Murrill, Lactarius of the Gulf Coast, an introduction to molecular biology, diversity of tropical and subtropical fungi, fungi of Taiwan, and the natural history of the Big Thicket, a much valued landscape located just north of Beaumont and managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Finally, I’d like to make a plug for the Inocybes in the region. Now Dan Stuntz actually collected many Inocybes while visiting Walker, Louisiana, ostensibly home of a relative or two. None of these have been formally described. However, using Stuntz’ unpublished manuscript and having access to his notes and drawings, I was able to identify at least two collections to which Stuntz assigned provisional names. So, I just didn’t spend the entire time snarfing pickled Sparassis, chugging Texas beers, and two-stepping with older women from New York.

For additional tales, tall and true, see also Alissa Allen and Colin Meyer, who made the trip as part of their vacation plans. I’d like to thank PSMS and the Stuntz Foundation for financial assistance; otherwise I would just have been at home in the Cascades trying to steal Patrice Benson’s boletes.

BOARD NEWS Agnes Sieger

Most of the meeting was taken up with discussion of the upcoming Annual Exhibit with Co-Chairs Ron Post and Ben Woo. The treasurer reported that membership dues are down considerably compared to this time last year. Extra expenses were incurred this year as a result of publishing the roster and moving the annual exhibit to a new location. Frances Ikeda and Karin Mendell reported a relatively small turnout for the summer picnic, great weather, good food, and lots of fun, but some parking problems due to heavy use of the park by other large groups. Education Chair Colin Meyer is offering beginning and intermediate classes this fall. Karin Mendell submitted a tentative agenda for the Fall Foray at Lake Quinault November 11–13.

FALL IDENTIFICATION CLASSES Colin Meyer

Basic ID: The Basic ID class will be held on six consecutive Wednesday evenings, from 7 to 9 PM, at the Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH), from September 27 through November 1. The focus will be on recognizing some of the common edible and poisonous mushrooms as well as an introduction to the use of dichotomous keys. The required text will be Mushrooms Demystified, 2nd ed., by David Arora. The New Savory Wild Mushroom by McKenny/Stuntz/Ammirati is highly recommended.

Intermediate ID: The Intermediate class will be held on Thursdays, from 7 to 9 PM, at the Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH), from September 28 through November 2 for members who are somewhat familiar with mushrooms. The focus of this class will be using dichotomous keys to identify mushrooms. Required texts will be Mushrooms Demystified, 2nd ed., by David Arora and How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus, I: Macroscopic Features, by David Largent.

Text books will be available at the membership meetings and the first day of class for purchase at a discount price.

Each class costs $35 and is limited to 20 participants.

To register, please mail a check (made out to PSMS) to:

Colin Meyer
10729 57 AVE S.
Seattle, WA 98178-2233

For more information, e-mail cmeyer@helvella.org or phone (206) 722-6687.

FALL FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE Mike Lovelady

To start off the fall field trip season, we will be going to two new field trip sites.

Hosts are needed for almost all field trips. Please check the following schedule and volunteer to host a field trip of your choice. You do not need to know anything about mushrooms, and it’s a great way to meet other PSMS members and find out the latest hot hunting spots. Hosts are especially needed for the Deception Pass field trip, which follows the exhibit and will be attended by many new members.

LAKE QUINAULT FALL FORAY

Set aside the weekend of November 11–12 now for the PSMS Fall Foray. Once again, the foray will be held at Kamp Kiwanis on the shores of Lake Quinault in the heart of the Olympic Mountains at the edge of Olympic National Park. Foray activities include mushroom collecting, identification, slide presentations, nature walks, and good food. There are sure to be a mushroom tasting and some social activities as well.

SOME CREEK FIELD TRIP REPORT Karin Mendell

This is a late report on the last field trip of the spring 2000 season, held June 3 and 4 at Some Creek, near Washington. The foray was well attended, with 30–35 persons present throughout the day and around eight folks spending the night in the group camping sites. The mix of new and seasoned members was especially good.

This was one of the first of the many 70° days we’ve enjoyed this summer, with bright beautiful sunshine and the vibrant sounds of The Creek boiling over the boulders right beside the campsite. Brenda Fong and Karin Mendell hosted, and (except for the fact that the coffee arrived a little late!) they did a wonderful job.

Brian Luther was the identifier and mycologist-in-residence for the day. He guided us through identification and made suggestions as to where folks might find the last elusive morels, plentiful boletes, and slippery jacks. He intrigued us all with mushroom lore, and we kept him busy with two picnic tables full of specimens to identify.

Michael Lovelady guided many of our new and experienced members to hidden pockets of Boletus edulis. He also shared his Boletus bounty with us at the potluck, in a pasta and stir-fried veggie and bolete dish. The potluck and fellowship of members visiting throughout the day was especially warm and welcoming. The food was excellent, as usual (we sure know how to cook and eat good in this group), and the company was great!

POSSIBLE CARPOOLING D.V. Corey

PSMS is conducting a test to see whether there are enough people wanting company or who need a lift to field trips that we can sustain a regular carpool program. The Master of the Hounds is new member Roy Washington. Call him as early as possible , stating which field trip, whether you want to drive or passenger, and your telephone number. Each car will split the cost for gas. Happy hunting.

MUSHROOM-RELATED EVENTS

Sept. 22–24 Spokane Mushroom Club annual Priest Lake Foray, Hill’s Resort, Priest Lake, Idaho (509) 838-1151

Oct. 7 Joint Vancouver Mycological Society / South Vancouver Island Mycological Society Fall Foray, Masachie Lake, Vancouver Island, (250) 655-5051

Oct. 13–15: Oregon Mycological Society Fall Foray, (503) 762-0469

Oct. 22: Fall Mushroom Show, Snohomish County Mycological Society, (425) 317-9411

Oct. 22: Fall Mushroom Show, Oregon Mycological Society

Oct. 26–29: Breitenbush Foray, “Wild Mushrooms ’00,” $235. Information and registration: Breitenbush (502) 854-3314.

Oct. 27–29: Mushroom Classes, “Northwest Mushroom Ecology,” Dr. Fred Rhoades, Chinook Learning Center on Whidbey Island, $185, one credit, 15 hours. For more information contact the North Cascades Institute at (360) 856-5700 ext. 209 or e-mail nci@ncascades.org

Six-Week Mushroom Pre-season Mental & Physical Training Regimen D.V. Corey

Six weeks before start:

- talk about mushrooming with everyone you see

- program your mind not to remember the pain (freak’n’ hills)

- start your physical training by thinking about being in shape

Five weeks:

- begin practicing the art of bending over

- tie your shoes 3–4 times a day

- lip sink the words “Got some over here!”

- focus your mind on where you’ve found mushrooms before

- practice climbing over your neighbor’s fence

Four weeks:

- prepare your equipment

- walk around the block once to get the heart beat going

- increase the shoe tying to 5–6 times a day

Three weeks

- begin nightly dreaming stage associated with mushrooming

- walk to the grocery and buy butter, eggs, and brown bags

- let your dog out and watch him/her run;

imagine keeping that pace for about 8 hours

Two weeks:

- increase walk to three times around block

- begin yelling out loud “Got some over here!!”

- have your mate hide sponges in the yard and go find them

One week:

- rest up after following the stringent regiment above, sit back, and wait for those babies to start popping up!

CULTIVATION CORNER

The September cultivation meeting will feature sterilization and preparation of agar media. For information, call Cultivation Chair Ron Holdridge.

OBITUARIES

Helen M. Wasson, 84, hunter, identifier, and lecturer of mushrooms, died June 13, 2000, in Bellevue of pulmonary fibrosis. A once-active member of PSMS, Helen will be remembered by many old-timers.

Dr. Harry D. Thiers, 81, world-renowned mycological educator, researcher, and innovator. Recognized worldwide as the leading authority on boletes and an innovator in the research on secotioid fungi, Dr. Thiers published over 150 new species of fungi. Fourteen different taxa are named in his honor, including the genus Thiersia. Although Dr. Thiers’ main interests were in the taxonomy and evolution of fleshy fungi, his influence through the training of young mycologists is felt in all subdisciplines of mycology