Spore Prints

Agnes A. Sieger, Editor

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tuesday, June 12, at 7:30 PM in the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st Street, Seattle

Our speaker this month is Judy Roger, who recently gave the popular microscopy class to PSMS. Her talk is entitled ``The Chanterelle Study: What We've Found After 15 Years of Looking at Them.''

Judy began studying fungi under Dr. Daniel Stuntz during, as she puts it, ``the last ice age.'' She has continued to study mushrooms over the years, with workshops with ``Dr. Joe'' and others, making mushrooms a major focus in life. She is a longish-time member of PSMS, the Oregon Mycological Society, the North America Truffling Society, and the North America Mycological Association and is a charter member of the Pacific Northwest Key Council. She began helping on the OMS Chanterelle Study in 1990 and replaced Lorelei Norvell as project leader in 1992 when Lorelei began work on her Ph.D.

Would members with last names beginning with G -M please bring a plate of refreshments for the social hour.

CALENDAR

June 12 Membership meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH

July 14 PSMS summer picnic, Shelter 5, Steward Park

August 20 Board meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH Board Room

August 21 Spore Prints deadline

Sept. 11 Membership meeting, 7:30 PM, CUH

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Joanne Young

As you probably all now know, about 3:15 AM on May 21, the Center for Urban Horticulture was burned in a presumed ``eco-terrorist'' arson attack. Merrill Hall, with offices of CUH staff, research professors, grad students, and the Master Gardeners, was almost completely destroyed. The CUH library was water damaged. It is a tragedy. Several professors lost a lifetime of research and teaching records, including a history of the recovery of Mt. St. Helens. Ray Larsen lost all of his school work. Master Gardeners said they lost the results of thirty years of volunteer research, as well as a recent donation of rare books.

We were very lucky. A few feet away from the blaze, Isaacson Hall, which houses the PSMS office, did not catch fire. At this writing we've not been able to enter the building, but staff reports say that all of Isaacson Hall is fine.

Today teams from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Seattle Police, and Seattle Fire Department were investigating the blaze. I stopped by to check on our office, and was unable to get close. All of CUH was cordoned off. Several television stations had cameras and reporters ready. The FBI wasn't talking, and had just pushed the media back about 15 feet. Colin reported that the crime scene was expanded to include Isaacson Hall.

Within a few hours of the news reports, Bonnie Ecker, on behalf of the Snohomish County Mycological Society, sent us an e-mail offering any help we might need. Leon Leigel and David Pliz from Oregon State University also wrote to check on us. It's good to know that we have friends ready to help if we ever need it.

As the main meeting hall at CUH was unharmed, our membership meeting on June 12 is expected to occur as planned. If anything should change, we will put notice of the change on the PSMS members e-mail list and the office voice mail at (206) 522-6031.

I hope you all had a wonderful season, great luck with spring mushroom collecting, learned a lot, and had a fine time in the woods. Thanks to Brian Luther, Steve Curtice, Karin Mendell, Patrice Benson, Doug and Theresa Ward, Colin Meyer, Sara Clark, Russ Kurtz, and all the other field trip hosts and identifiers who helped make our Spring collecting season so enjoyable. Also thanks to Dick Sieger for making sure we all know how to change our pants in the woods¾ a vital skill.

June 12 will be our last monthly meeting before the summer break. Luis Felix is planning our summer picnic for Saturday, July 14. The next monthly meeting is September 11. Until then, have a great summer!

APRIL BOARD NEWS Agnes Sieger

All old board members introduced themselves to the new board, and Joanne reviewed the basic process of board business.

Annual Exhibit Co-Chair Karin Mendell distributed a list of exhibit committee chairs. Construction and publicity are major concerns since chairs have yet to be found for these committees. Colin Meyer reported that the microscopy workshop taught by Judy Roger was successful and the beginning ID classes scheduled for this spring are full. Karin said that PSMS has hosts for all field trips. Patrice Benson said that about 110 people participated in this year's banquet at CUH; the Polish singers were a great success. Copies of the revised by-laws were distributed. The board needs to decide at our May meeting whether to accept the revisions or make alternate suggestions. The North American Mycological Association has raised membership fees to $32/year. John Goldman volunteered to be our NAMA membership representative. Pacita Roberts volunteered to manage the membership database. Don and Cathy Lennebacker will coordinate this year's Lake Quinault foray.

U.S. Forest Service Mushroom Survey Patrice Benson

On the weekend of May 12, about 70 mushroomers from PSMS, the Pacific Northwest Key Council, The Evergreen State College lichen and fungi class, and the Northwest Mushroomers gathered at Tall Timber Lodge on the White River near Leavenworth to participate in a Forest Service survey of wild mushrooms. We collected examples of any fruiting fungi found in selected areas of the Wenatchee National Forest to add to a list of the fungi found near spotted owl habitats. Such surveys help determine how this forest is managed by our Forest Service. Six species from the Forest Service ``rare'' list were collected, confirmed, and dried, to be deposited as voucher specimens in the Wenatchee District herbarium. An additional 60 species were identified and vouchered as examples of spring fungi fruiting in these older growth areas. Once again, we worked, learned a lot, and met lots of great people. The morel tasting, which is traditional in the Sieger camper, was possible because of the generosity of Mick Mueller, our survey leader. He divulged a great spot to Greg Johnston from the Seattle P-I, who was photographing Colin Meyer and Alissa Allen for his story about morels. The story appeared on May 24 in the outdoor section. Thanks to Mick for organizing such a good and useful experience for us all.

Swauk Creek Field Trip Doug & Theresa Ward

About 30 of us gathered at the Swauk Creek Campground on Saturday, May 12, in spite of its being still closed to cars. The weather was dry (too dry!) and warm, with nary a cloud and not many mushrooms in sight. We did find just enough morels to capture the interest of the newer members but not enough to cause excitement.

Theresa and I were the field trip hosts, and I identified the following fungi: Russula Brevipes, a number of Ganoderma spp., Naematoloma (Hypholoma) fasciculare, the aforementioned morels, three small Boletus edulis, several Gyromitra gigas, at least three different Cortinarius spp., Agrocybe praecox, Caloscypha fulgens, and the largest Verpa bohemica I have ever seen. There were also a number of little brown mushrooms that were beyond my expertise to identify.

Because the campground was not officially open for business, there was no potluck this trip.

Twenty-Nine Pines Field Trip Brian Luther

I arrived at this campground 13 miles up the Teanaway River Valley at about 8:45 AMon May 19, after the required stop at the Cle Elum bakery (the car stops on its own). Don Lennebacker had also just pulled in and then some others soon after, including John Goldman, who had spent the night in his RV. As we were standing around chatting, someone noticed a large wild tom turkey on a hillside nearby, and it walked right through the campground quite near us. It seemed oblivious to us, although I'm sure that it wasn't, until someone arrived with a dog that ran out of their car. Then the turkey decided it was time to take to the air and say ``bye.'' Thirty-three people signed in, and pretty much everybody found morels, making this a fun and rewarding outing. We were lucky to have both Frances Ikeda and Russ Kurtz working together as hosts while I identified, because everything went smoothly as a result. Thank you, Frances and Russ!

The weather was somewhat windy and a little fickle throughout most of the day, with puffy white clouds moving rapidly overhead and intermittent bright sun. We got very lightly sprinkled on at one point, but it just about completely cleared up by the end of the day.

We got a surprise visit from Joy Spurr and so were treated to the company of two charter members (Russ Kurtz is also a charter member of PSMS)¾a rare occasion. Mike Lovelady wandered in just long enough to show me his overflowing basket full of the choicest morels (Morchella elata) you ever saw in your life. I truly believe that there is some sort of magnetic or gravitational association between Mike and morels. One of the members brought his border collie; she was very skilled at retrieving a Frisbee and this entertained us for some time. Doug and Theresa Ward found a beautiful collection of Boletus edulis , which got everybody even more enthusiastic.

Thirty-eight species of fungi were collected and displayed, including 21 gilled mushrooms, 10 Ascomycetes, 4 polypores, 2 boletes, and 1 coral. Special thanks to Colin Meyer and Alissa Allen, who did a great job helping with identification. Early on I made the rounds to the old campfire pits and found a number of interesting burn site or anthracophilic fungi, including Myxomphalia maura, Pholiota highlandensis, Peziza praetervisa, a Geopyxis sp., an unknown Peziza , and the real rarity, Pyronema domesticum.

Eleven people stayed for a great little potluck near the campfire that Russ got going, and I think I speak for everybody when I say we all had a fun and satisfying day, both mycologically and socially.

PSMS SUMMER PICNIC JULY 14 Karin Mendell

Host Luis Felix,
Where Seward Park Shelter #5 (same shelter as last year) When Saturday July 14, 2001

The shelter is reserved from 10:00 AM to dusk (when the park closes). Early birds can come and share coffee/tea and breakfast treats. The picnic lunch starts around 1:00 PM, but there'll be nibbling all day!

Directions: Go to the west side of Mercer Island and swim across the lake or, from Seattle, take I-5 to I-90, get off at exit 3 (west side of Lake Washington), go south on Rainier Ave S. about 3 miles, and take a left onto S. Orcas Street, heading east. South Orcas Street ends at Seward Park after intersecting Lake Washington Blvd. S. Once in the park, continue to drive up the hill to the first parking lot on the right. Shelter #5 is nearby. (PSMS signs will lead the way once you are in the park.)

Food: Please bring a potluck salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Bring your own meat to barbecue, buns, sauces, eating and serving utensils, and sunscreen (hopefully). Drinks, plates, cups, and charcoal will be provided by PSMS.

Facilities: Shelter, tables, grills, restrooms, kids' playground, tennis courts.

Activities: Bring any games you'd like to share such as badminton or croquet sets. There are also walks through or around Seward Park, swimming, Frisbee catching, kite flying, boating (a public boat ramp is nearby), bicycling, and mushroom hunting (in July?).

George Rafanelli iN HOSPITAL Irwin Kleinman

Charter member George Rafanelli had a bad fall early in May and was in intensive care at Harborview Hospital. He is home now and would appreciate any get well cards to cheer him up.

Bullfrog Flats Field Trip Patrice Benson

It was a very windy day at Bullfrog Flats on May 5, but the sun shone down as the mushrooms flew through the air from the makeshift ID tables. Hosts Karen Mendell and Luis Felix signed in 38 participants. Patrice Benson attempted to identify about 25 species, including one Sarcosoma mexicana, which is considered rare (it seems to appear once or twice each spring). Morchella spp., Verpa (Ptychoverpa ) bohemica, and Gyromitra montana (G. gigas) and Gyromitra esculenta were among the most numerous specimens found. I had the feeling that lots of morels were collected but were hiding in the trunks of cars to avoid being blown away. The potluck was lovely and the company likewise.

Psathyrella Alert Gene Yetter
New York Mycological Society/New Jersey Mycological Society

I am writing to request reports of Psathyrella activity in your area this mushroom season. If you can reliably identify the Psathyrella species that you collect, please let me know. Include assumed species name, date, substrate, quantity, possible host, current weather, etc., and any other interesting details.

I am especially interested in species in the P. candoleana group and, in particular, Psathyrella hymenocephala Peck. First of all, does anyone has a record of collecting this mushroom? Have you collected it so often you know it when you see it? I can tell you that I have never recorded it for the Northeast Mycological Foray. I am planning to give the whole genus some attention.

My e-mail address is gyetter@worldnet.att.net

MOREL SPORES WANTED Carol Carter

I am interested in obtaining morel spores for a molecular taxonomy study. If members of your mycology society could send me some spores from collections this spring, I would greatly appreciate it. To obtain the spores, cut a mature morel in half (longitudinally) or in sections and place cap, outer surface down, on a piece of waxed paper. Leave undisturbed for 24 hours at room temperature (e.g., inside a cabinet). Spores should be released and they will stick to the waxed paper. Remove the cap pieces. With success you can probably see the white spores as a light pattern on the paper. Fold up the waxed paper (spores inside), place it in an envelope labeled with all the information you have (habitat, what you think it might be ¾gray, black, blonde, species name etc.). Seal envelope. Place all envelopes in a larger envelope and mail (via regular mail) to me:

Dr. Carol Carter

Biology Dept.

Portland State University

PO Box 751

Portland, Oregon 97207-0751

Alternative surfaces that have worked well for retaining spores are plastic disposable sterile Petri dishes. I get great retrieval from spores stuck on these dishes. Tape lid on when done and label top. Smooth paper, like Xerox paper, is OK. Don't use soft paper. The spores don't come off.

Limit the number of samples. I am interested in finding the distribution of putative species and finding all the different kinds. I don't want to do numerous samples that may all be the same thing. So a couple of spore samples each from representatives of probably different morels would suitable.

I don't always have success with every sample. But I would be happy to send contributors the results of my analysis (comparing to other morels). Thank you very much.

UK Poppy-killing fungus developed

Fungifama, South Vancouver Island Myco. Soc., April 2001

Scientists are developing a virulent fungus, Pleospora papa-veracea, in an effort to combat the worldwide trade in heroin. The fungus kills opium poppies, the raw material for the drug. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed a report in The Sunday Times newspaper that Britain is helping to fund the biological research.

The program is based in Uzbekistan, in central Asia , which borders the so-called ``Gold Crescent'' of countries that supply up to 90% of Britain's heroin. The action comes after bumper harvests have seen the UK and much of western Europe flooded with cheap heroin. The street price has halved, and seizures at ports and airports have risen sharply. The Foreign Office was unable to confirm details of the report, but a spokeswoman stressed that work was ``in its very early stages at the moment.''

Britain would hope to unleash enough fungus to infect thousands of acres of poppies grown in the central Asia region.

Telluride Mushroom Conference Emanuel Salzman

The 21st annual Telluride Mushroom Conference will be held August 23-26, 2001, in Telluride, Colorado. The Telluride Conference is designed for persons interested in mushroom identification, edible, poisonous, and psychoactive mushrooms, and mushroom cultivation.

Dr. Rick Doblin, President of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, will address a plenary session of the Conference on Psilocybin Research. His topic is ``From Cowpies to Clinical Trials.''

Gary Lincoff, author of the Audubon Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, will conduct a course on mushroom identification; Paul Stamets, author of Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms , on ``Mushroom Cultivation''; Andrew Weil, author of Eating Well for Optimum Health, on ``Mushrooms and Health''; John Corbin, cultivation specialist, on ``Growing Mushrooms on Straw''; Linnea Gillman, Past President of the Colorado Mycological Society, on ``Rocky Mountain Mushrooms''; and Emanuel Salzman, co-editor of Mushroom Poisoning, on ``Poisonous Mushrooms.''

Telluride is an historic Colorado mining town on the western slope of the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide. Daily forays will be led into the nearby forests, which are generally productive of a wide variety of wild mushrooms, particularly edible species.

For further information, contact

Fungophile:
P.O. Box 480503
Denver, Colorado 80248-0503
Phone 303-296-9359
FAX 303-296-9359
e-mail lodomyco@uswest.net

WOOD MULCH SPREADS MAGIC MUSHROOMS

The Spore Print, LA Myco. Soc., April 2001,from Feb. 2001 Union Jack

The enthusiasm for wood chip mulch by Britain's gardeners is allowing a host of exotic mushrooms, including hallucinogenic species, to flourish throughout Britain, said Dr. Peter Shaw of the University of Surrey in an address to the British Ecological Society. Psilocybe cyansecens and Psilocybe percivalii, two species known as ``magic mushrooms,'' are fast finding quality habitat in unsuspecting gardens. One particularly potent hallucinogenic species, Agrocybe putominium, was found growing luxuriantly on a traffic roundabout, oblivious to the noise and fumes surrounding it. The species are native to North America, and Dr. Shaw suspects they came to Britain innocently through a batch of American plants received at Kew Gardens some years ago.

Though they rarely, if ever, exist in nature, wood chips make excellent habitats for fungi. ``It is arguable that in piling up wood chips, gardeners have created a qualitatively new habitat,'' says Shaw.