Fungal Taxonomy and
Mushroom Hunting
From Domain to Species
Why study taxonomy?
Domains
Kingdoms
MAJOR TAXONOMIC GROUPINGS:
Basidiomycota -- Most charismatic
macrofungi; spores produced in
basidia; well-developed mycelium
with narrow septate mycelium.
Glomeromycota -- Aka Arbuscular
Mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they enter the
roots of the plants; include some trufflelike species; large, multi-nucleate asexual
spores
Zygomycota -- Include molds; may have
asexual or sexual spores; grow on dung
Amanita muscaria
Ascomycota -- Include other
charismatic macrofungi; spores
produced in asci; largest group
Chytridiomycota -- Structured simply with
unicells or short-branched hyphae; in
aquatic and moist terrestrial habitats
Deuteromycota -- Aka fungi imperfecti,
include molds; not very well-studied
This is all changing...
Morchella esculenta
Division
Subdivision
From Kingdom to Species
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Fungi
Eumycota
Basidiomycotina
Hymenomycetes
Types of Hymenia
Jelly
Gilled
Polypores
Toothed
Puffballs
Truffles
Types of Hymenia
Club, coral or
fan-like
Molds
Rusts
Cup
Morels, false
Morels and
Elfin Saddles
Crusts
And more...
Vocabulary
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
Parts of a Mushroom
Descriptions of morphology
Get 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 Families
Agaricus bisporus
Agaricaceae:
Saprophytes with
membranous stalk,
gills pinkish when
young and brown
spores. Some stain
red, some others
stain yellow. Most
are edible.
Suillus luteus
Boletaceae:
Mycorrhizal, convex to
Amanitaceae:
flat cap, has tubes
Ectomycorrhizal, cap
(pores) as hymenia.
may carry veil tissue,
Stalks have various types
may either have a
of ornamentation.
partial or universal veil,
Varying shades of yellow,
white gills and white
spores. Responsible for brown or black spores.
Usually squishy and
roughly 90% of
maggoty but yummy.
mushroom poisonings.
Amanita
phalloides
A Few more important Families
Russulaceae:
Chalky stem, with a
Polyporaceae:
brittle cap that is plane
Most are Bracket
in age. The flesh
fungi with pores, but
contains large spherical
some have gill-like
cells called
structures, and some
“sphaerocysts.” Have a
have stems. Most
hypogeous relative, like
have white spores.
many other epigeous
Saprotrophic.
fungi. Some are edible,
Includes Trametes,
some cause
Lenzites,
gastrointestinal
and Polyporus.
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.
Hunting Mushrooms
There 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 MUSHROOMS
Warning: 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
Supplies in the field:
-Basket and/or nonplastic bag
-knife.
-ID book
Supplies back at home:
-Microscope
-Hand lens
-More mushroom
books
-Paper and bowl for
making spore prints
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.
Ethical Hunting
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.
Keep in mind that mushrooms are an
important food source for many animals.
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...?