BULLETIN OF THE PUGET SOUND MYCOLOGICALSOCIETY
Number 337, December 1997

Spore Prints

Electronic Edition is published monthly, September through Juneby the
Puget Sound Mycological Society
Center for Urban Horticulture, Box 354115
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
(206) 522-6031

Agnes A. Sieger, Editor
Dick Sieger, HTML Editor


MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tuesday, December 9, at 7:30 PM at the Center for UrbanHorticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle

“Cookie Bash” and Slide Show: Once againit’s time for our annual holiday gathering and “cookiebash.” There’s no program this month, just eating,socializing, sharing slides, and, new this year, a culinarycontest. Bring your favorite holiday treat to share—a plate ofcookies, appetizer, fruit and cheese, etc. (Please use a disposableplate or mark the utensil clearly with your name.) OR bring an itemfor our Myco-Culinary Contest.
We’d also love to see slides of the interesting timesyou’ve been having. They needn’t be mushroom related.Bring a few slides (10 max) and give them to the person running theslide projector before the start of the meeting

Myco-Culinary Contest: Show your culinary and decoratingtalent! Bring a dessert or appetizer with a mycological theme:habitat, ecology, foraging—whatever it means to you! Prizeswill be given for Best Dessert, Best Appetizer, Humor,Craftsmanship, and best of all, Mycological Correctness. Entrieswill be judged by our panel of celebrities. Bring your entry withits title to the kitchen by 7:10 PM, so that we have time to labelit and set up the contest table.

PSMS Greeting Cards: Beautiful PSMS mushroom cards willbe specially priced at $4 per set of six. Great for holidaygifts!

CALENDAR

Dec. 9 Membership meeting and “cookie bash,”7:30 PM, CUH. Brings slides and goodies.
Dec. 15 Board meeting
Dec. 26 Spore Prints deadline

BOARD NEWS  Agnes Sieger

October: Mike Lovelady has agreed to continue as FieldTrip Chair. He reported that the joint PSMS/Mountaineers field tripwent well, and that the October 26th field trip, in particular, hadmany new members; however, too few people are volunteering to host.Bernice Velategui reported that 90 new members signed up at theAnnual Exhibit, and 19 members renewed. The nominating committeefor the 1998 elections consists of Joanne Young, Wayne Elston, andMarsi DiGiovanni. Bernice Velategui and D.V. Corey will co-chairthe 1998 survivors’ banquet. Doug Ward has found a computerdesk. Marilyn Droege reported that she netted about $600 in T-shirtsales. Thirty-eight people signed up for the fall foray. WayneElston, who is to be the chef at the foray, will ask Patrice Bensonand Marsi DiGiovanni about their expenses last year. MarshallPalmer requested that we included our web site address in futurepublicity.

November: The subject was broached of organizing somekind of car pooling for field trips and forays. Charles Pregaldinreported that the 1997 annual exhibit had approximately 1500 paidadmissions. Pregaldin volunteered to chair the 1998 exhibit. D.V.Corey agreed to chair the 1998 PSMS Foray. Dan Tanabe is assemblingthe 1998 budget and said that any changes or adjustments bycommittee chairs should be brought to him by December 9. A coverletter, greeting card set, and order sheet were sent to 36 NorthAmerican mycological societies to promote sale of remainingstock.

MEET THE MAXWELL FAMILY Inga Wilcox

The four Maxwells—Scott, Marian, Brandon 12, and Colin9—all hunt mushrooms and enjoy camping and hiking. Marian andScott love to cook. A member of PSMS since 1978, Marian got herstart in mycology by signing up for a general mycology class sheneeded to fulfill credit requirements for her Bachelor of Sciencein Botany. The professor was Dr. Daniel Stuntz. She got hooked andtook all the classes taught by him. She remembers one class on“rusts and smuts” when only seven students had signed upand Dr. Stuntz translated the keys from Russian. Her first fieldtrip was to Cle Elum for morels. A surprise birthday party for Dr.Stuntz planned by his students, including Susan Libonati-Barnes andDick Van de Bogart, was held without Dr. Stuntz, who had forgottento inform the class he was going out of town.

After graduation Marian got married, and Scott, whose major waszoology, joined in forays. On Dr. Stuntz’s recommendation,Marian helped Margaret Dilly with tray arranging. Over the yearsshe became Margaret’s assistant, and in 1994 Marian becameTray Arranging Chair. She loves the job, even though help oftencomes at the last minute. Could people make a commitment somewhatsooner? Then there is the question of what fungi will be available;no two years produce the same harvest. Marian loves the way theshow has branched out to include cultivation, cooking, art,education via slide presentations, and more. Scott Chase suggestedthe addition of a tray of medicinal fungi for future shows.

Along with delighting in great finds like a Hygrophorusconicus 12 inches tall, Marian and her husband are dismayedwhen coming into areas that have been raked.

The Maxwells had a wonderful day this November 8, when theyfound matsutake, yellow chanterelles, wood blewits 4–6 inchesin diameter, and honey mushrooms, all still fruiting this side ofthe Cascades. One sight is still in her memory: a stand of Hygrocybepsittacina, about one hundred pretty little green fungialongside the trail, shining like emeralds, with a small green frogsitting among them.

We thank Marian for her dedication and wish the Maxwellfamily many happy outings.

FALL FORAY D.V. Corey

This year’s Fall Foray was organized by an ad hoccommittee consisting of Doug Ward, registrar; Corey, organization;and Joanne Young, education. Friday evening, October 31, found ChefElston, Vice-President Young, Herr and Frau Klienman, Dick Sieger,and Messrs. Baxter and Corey out early setting up at the rusticKiwanis Camp at Lake Quinault on the Olympic Peninsula.

And they came—Mycologist Bryce Kendrick from VancouverIsland; Professor of Environmental Science Greg Michalenko fromToronto; identifiers Sarah Clark (from Magnolia via Arizona),Coleman Leuthy, and Larry Baxter; the Ceskas from Victoria, plus 21other old members and a dozen new ones to enjoy a weekend ofsunshine, mild temperatures, and mycology.

Pot hunting was lean (except for Ninja hunters Sara Clark andJoanne Young, who took out our speaker for the day and came backwith a basket full of Cantharellus cibarius, Tricholomamagnivelare, and several Boletus edulis; however, thefield forgers brought home the goods, finding 88 species.

Saturday evening was memorable in the departments of mycophagyand education. The soup du jour was cream of chanterelle withoyster mushrooms; then mixed greens sprinkled with Montrachetcheese and honey-roasted pecans, vegetables marinated in a tarragonvinaigrette, and a choice of chicken Marsala with shiitake on pennepasta or potato and Lepiota rachodes au gratin prepared bythe skillful and dedicated hand of Chef Elston, assisted by hiswife, Patrice, and several volunteers.

After dinner we were entertained and educated by Bryce Kendrick,retired University of Toronto Professor of Botany and author of thebook The Fifth Kingdom, who gave us an overview of the fungikingdom, from its theoretic bacterial origins up to the present. Itwas a fine foundation in the mycological world for our new membersand covered many interesting points on asexual reproduction andmycorrhizal associations for our amateur mycologists. The eveningended with a dessert of poached pears filled with honeyedmascarpone and covered with a port glaze; demonstration of amushroom database on Sieger’s new mega-laptop; ethnologicalevaluations; viewing of the ID tables, and much goodconversation.

Sunday morning Mr. Elston gave us no reprieve, with eggsmatsutake, fried potatoes au Quinault (Boletus edulis,chanterelles, Dentinum repandum), and banana pancakes withmaple syrup. Fortunately, everyone had the opportunity to work offsome of the comestibles closing up camp. The last car pulled awayat12 PM into the sunny Fall afternoon, which for many includedstops for lunch or exploration.

There is already discussion about the 1998 Foray, two days andnights with additional education opportunities, so stay tuned forthe chance to be involved.

THANKS FOR THE HELP Wayne Elston

It was a great pleasure to cook for all the attendees at theLake Quinalt foray, and one of the things that made it so enjoyablewas the abundance of help. I’d like to send special thankyou’s out to my lovely wife, Patrice, Frances Ikeda, andespecially Millie Kleinman, who performed numerous tasks throughoutthe weekend. Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time andeffort, as it made for a great, fun-filled gathering.

OCTOBER 26th FIELD TRIP Larry Baxter

October 26 was a beautiful warm, dry Autumn day. The field tripwas hosted by Ross and Valerie Othus, who came up Friday night andhad the coffee pot perking when mycophiles arrived early Saturdaymorning. Mike Lovelady soon arrived with a load of wood largeenough to keep the campfire well plied for the weekend. The foraywas attended by 48 members. One hundred and six species ofmushrooms were identified by Joy Spurr, Margaret Dilly, and LarryBaxter, The better edible mushrooms found were Boletusmirabilis, Agaricus augustus, Lepiota rachodes,Clitocybe nuda, Pleurotus ostreatus, Hypomyceslactifluorum, Tricholoma flavovirens, Sparassiscrispa, Coprinus comatus, Hericium ramosum,Tricholoma magnivelare, Cantharellus cibarius, and Hydnumrepandum. Some of the less commonly brought in mushrooms wereAlbatrellus dispansus, Tylopilus pseudoscaber, Tricholomainamoenum, Tricholoma sulphureu! m, Tricholoma atrosquamosum(with black on the gill edges), Ganoderma tsugae, Omphalinaericetorum, Helvella elastica, and Amanita pantherinavar. pantherinoides (Murr.). A congenial potluck was held aroundthe campfire at 4:30 PM with people visiting into the night.Several people camped over until Sunday.

ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

Found: A new REI raincoat, blue-green, somehow found itsway into a car during the PSMS Lake Quinault Foray. Please call thePSMS office to identify. This is a very nice (expensive) coat.I’m sure the owner is really missing it.

Northwest Environmental Issues Course: Eight sessions,6:30–900 PM, Mondays starting February 2. For registration orother information, contact Loren Foss or Matt Golec at (206)284-6310, www.Mountaineers.org/climb orclubmail@Mountaineers.org.

Thanks to the following, who hosted PSMS field trips thisseason: Harold Schnarre, Wayne and Patrice Elston, Ross and ValOthus. Thanks also to the identifiers, especially Sara Clark, whocame to every field trip.
Mike Lovelady, Field Trip Chair

IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER PSMS COOKBOOK Wayne Elston

About one year ago, when I was elected to the board, I decidedthat it would be great if PSMS could get together another cookbook,as we haven’t published one in many years. Well, I’mready to get the ball rolling. Patrice and I have a program thatsets up and formats recipes. I am presently writing my owncookbook, and I would like also to do one for PSMS. So, what thatmeans is this: We need the favorite recipes from our members andany short anecdotes that relate to the recipes or the gathering ofmushrooms for the recipes. Send them along. We can be reachedby the good ol’ U.S. postal service at The Elstons, P.O. Box886, Fall City, WA 98024.

Also, let’s all get in touch with some of the older membersto get their recipes in this as well. Too many valuable tips,secrets, and good old-fashioned food could be lost without theirinput. Of course our nominal fee for doing this bit o’ work issending us also your favorite super secret spot for matsutake,Boletus edulis, Leccinum, and/or morels. Butdon’t worry; we’ll be too busy inputting to ever get outhunting!! Any recipes, from the simplest to the most elaborate,will be welcomed, as our club harbors all types of cooks, fromneophytes to master chefs. So don’t delay.

Act now while this limited time offer is still available, andreceive free of charge the good feeling of helping get the nextedition of the PSMS Cookbook to the press.

GRILLED PORTOBELLA WITH HERBED GRIT CAKES AND ROASTED REDPEPPER AND BLUE CHEESE RELISH Walter Bronowitz

Equipment:
Sauce pan, mixing bowl, 2-1/2 in. circle cutter, large nonsticksauté pan

Marinade:
1/2 C salad oil
1/4 C mushroom soy sauce
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
1/4 C rice vinegar
1 Tbs black pepper
2 lb whole portabella mushroom caps, stemmed

Grits:
1-1/2 C grits
3 C water
1/4 C fresh herbs, minced
1/4 lb butter
Salt and pepper
Red Pepper & Blue Cheese Relish:
6 ea. red bell peppers,
1/2 lb onions, diced small
4 oz. pine nuts, chopped
4 ea. shiso leaves (from Uwajimaya)
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
1/4 C red wine vinegar
2 oz. extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Black pepper, fresh ground
2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
Salad oil
Herb sprigs
Chopped parsley

Grits: Make grits one day ahead, following directions onpackage. When done, mix in herbs, butter, salt and pepper. Spread1/2 in. thick on parchment sheet in pan, cover, and refrigerate.Or make fresh day of service and use as hot mush.

Relish: Roast red bell peppers; peel, seed, and dice small. Mixall relish ingredients together and let sit for no more than oneday ahead, but at least for 4 hours. Mix marinade in mixing bowl;30 minutes before serving, toss mushrooms in marinade and remove,reserving marinade. Cut grit cakes and reserve.

Heat sauté pan and add salad oil and grit cakes. Cookuntil golden brown on both sides and drain well. Grill mushroomsand baste with reserved marinade. Arrange grit cakes on plate, topwith grilled mushrooms, and spoon over red pepper-blue cheeserelish. Garnish with herb springs and chopped parsley. Servessix.
Note: Recipe is from the 1997 Survivors’ Banquet.Chef Bronowitz heads the Culinary Arts Program at Edmonds Community College.

PSMS DUES ARE DUE

Unless you joined PSMS after October 1, 1997, your membershipexpires as of the end of this month. To renew, please send a checkfor $10 (student) or $20 (single or family) and a self-addressed,stamped envelope to membership Chair Bernice Velategui, 2929 76thAve. SE, #504, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

MUSHROOMING BY PHONE Dick Sieger

Some dozen people a day called the PSMS mushroom identificationservice this fall. Usually we get that many calls in a week. Theincrease was due to widespread publicity for our exhibit and aspeculator mushroom season that extended well into November.

Most such calls are from people who want to confirm theidentification of a mushroom before they eat it, and a few are frompeople who are learning to identify mushrooms. We refer those folksto the identifier who lives closest to them so they can have theirmushrooms examined. Some folks want to know how to cook theirmushrooms, and I help them with recipes appropriate to the species.Others want to know where to find choice mushrooms, and I directthem to all of my good spots: “In eastern or westernWashington but sometimes in Oregon, Idaho, or BritishColumbia.”

We get the odd call that makes life interesting. A woman askedfor a telephone identification of a mushroom that she had alreadyfried in butter, and she seemed disappointed that I couldn’trecognize it from her description—“like cauliflower,growing in moss, and beige,” the standard color of olderRamaria species. Several conscientious workers from day carecenters asked about mushrooms growing on ground bark in theirplaygrounds. These mushrooms have included Mutinus caninusand a Gymnopilus species, and picking or raking until theystop fruiting is about the only thing that can be done with them.People who want to experiment with recreational mushrooms aredissuaded from trying Amanita pantherina and A.muscaria, which are more likely to provide an unpleasantillness than a pleasant “high.” Those seekingPsilocybe species are warned about Galerinalook-alikes and, to keep them from killing th! emselves, arereferred to the three excellent field guides to recreational fungithat are available from our PSMS book sales table.

The day after our October meeting, three Seattle people werepoisoned by a meal of Amanita pantherina, and a televisionstation called asking for a specimen to photograph. I’ve hadsome success hunting mushrooms from a moving truck, so I thought itmight be possible to hunt them by phone. First, I called JoanneYoung, hoping she had a phone number for Christopher Mithoug, whohad brought a beautiful A. pantherina to the PSMS meeting.Joanne didn’t, but called Membership Chair Bernice Velategui.Bernice not only had a phone number but recalled passing a freshfruiting of Amanita species on Mercer Island. She drove backto the spot, and sure enough it was Amanita pantherina.

Barring one Christmas Eve trip to Overlake emergency room toidentify Psilocybe cubensis, handling identification phonecalls has been a lot of fun. I recall the look of great relief on aman’s face when I told him his mushrooms were, indeed,chanterelles. He had already given many of them to friends.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE Joanne Young

The 1998 Nominating Committee consists of Marsi DiGiovanni,Joanne Young, and Wayne Elston. We are seeking recommendations forPresident, Treasurer, and six Trustee positions that are open forelection this Spring. If you have a hard working, dependable memberin mind who would like to carry on the fine traditions of theSociety or who wants to help lead us into new areas of education,service, or enjoyment, please let us know before Christmas.

EXHIBIT SPECIES STATISTICS Joanne Young

This year 313 species of fungi and 30 species of lichens wereidentified and displayed at the annual exhibit. Ninety-six generawere represented. Thanks to Sara Clark for recording the count. Thegenera with the most species represented were Cortinarius33, Russula 18, Lactarius 17, Tricholoma 16,Amanita 14, Hygrophorus 13, Mycena 11,Clitocybe 10, Suillus 9, Ramaria 7,Inocybe 7, Boletus 7, Pholiota 6,Agaricus 5.

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