naturalist Archives - Ian A Johnson : Life, Wildlife, Wild-life

There have been many times when I stooped during my meanders through the woods to look at fungi, often not considering that I was only seeing the fruiting body of a large underground network of “hyphae” – small root-like structures which interact with many species in woodlands. Most of the time I only contemplate the color, shape, or size of the mushroom, and move on without ever being able to identify the species. I believe that experience is the same for many others. However, as I stood on the deck at the Folk School in Fairbanks, Alaska and watched a band of kids ranging from age 7-12 roam through the woods with mycologist Christin Anderson, I was excited to learn of the species they brought in!

I was astounded by the diversity of mushrooms brought forth – in a short time they had collected over 10 genus, and many more species. Functionally, the collection of mushrooms ranged from parasitic, to decomposing; one species even grew on decomposing mushrooms! We observed the variety of color and size of each by touching and looking as Christin explained that it is not possible to absorb the toxin of any mushroom through the skin, although most people believe that you can. It was certainly news to my ears! On top of that, I didn’t know the hallucinogenic compounds in mushrooms are the not same ones that can kill you; poisons and hallucinogens are separate things.

I think mushroom identification is the hardest part of being a mycologist, and is simply overwhelming for those of who are not mycologists. However, with Christin at the helm of at least identifying each of the mushrooms to genus, I was excited to look up information each. Here’s just a little of what I learned about the diversity of the world of mushrooms. As a result of my research, I am in awe of the functionality that mushrooms play in Alaskan ecosystems.

Amanita muscaria
- is a particularly poisonous mushroom, and through history has been utilized as a hallucinogenic (Michelot, D., & Melendez-Howell, L. M. 2003)
- It is just one type of the many amanitas (fly agarics) which are often colorful and extremely beautiful. Check it out
Mycena family
- The mycena family are decomposers (saphrophytic) and decay logs and organic matter
- Some are capable of decomposing lignin – without them we would have a lot of leaf litter and birch bark built up. Those two tree parts have a lot of lignin.
Lacterius
- These mushrooms output “latex” or milk if cut or injured – or in effect lactate
Boletes
- A “universally popular wild mushroom“, they are a favorite edible
- You may be familiar with or have eaten the king bolete
Polypores
- These distinctive mushrooms often grow as ledges from trees and either decompose dead trees, or parasitize live ones
- Some are edible (ever heard of hen of the woods? It’s delicious!)
- Some polypores can be used to start or carry fire. Check out this YouTube video! Or this YouTube video
Cortinarius
- these mushrooms are the largest genus in the world
- Easily identifiable by a thin veil o f webs cover the stalk called a cortina
Russula
- a color and diverse group which can be difficult to identify to species
Lepista nuda
- This species of mushrooms sends out hyphae (the roots of mushrooms) into bacteria colonies and kills them to absorb their nutrients!
- Likely edible
Cup fungus
- A general, common name for several genera of fungi named for their cup-like shape
Club fungus
- Many fungus we see are club fungus
- Rather than being named for it shape, they are named that because spores are produced on microscopic, club-like structures called basidia

Below are a images of the mushrooms collected. If you are receiving this post via email, you may have to visit the post to see them, since there are too many to be sent in the email.

This amanita has not fully fruited yet, and still is ball shaped

The unique underside of the slippery jack bolete is very diagnostic.

A great representative of the mycena genus

The cortinarius genus is the largest genus of mushrooms in the world!

A diverse and color group, the Russula can be difficult to identify to species

A relatively easy mushroom to identify and often (but not always) occurring under hardwoods

A mushroom that grows on dead mushrooms!

This species gains nutrients by kill bacteria colonies!

Small representative of the mycena genus.

Some mycology humor – if you don’t know the speces or genus, it’s a Little Brown Mushroom!

Some are edible, but relatively tasteless

A common name for a group of several genera

The slimy top of the slippery jack bolete is its namesake!

By growing on dead wood, this stalked polypore is decomposing its fiber

A broad group named for the club-like structure of the spore producing basidia

I was surpised that I had never seen this uniquely shaped mushroom!

Gills of a mushroom are where its reproductive spores are located.

An incredible collection of diversity – both functionally and physically!

Inky cap mushrooms dissolve into a black inky goo as they die.

Literature and websites:

http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.shroomery.org/

en.wikipedia.org

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/

http://mushroom-collecting.com/

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/

http://www.backyardnature.net/

Michelot, D., & Melendez-Howell, L. M. (2003). Amanita muscaria: chemistry, biology, toxicology, and ethnomycology. Mycological research, 107(02), 131-146.

“August in Minnesota” has a connotation to it for those who have lived here long enough. Hot, sticky, humid days boost electricity bills as air-conditioners stay on full time to beat the heat. A result of the moist conditions is heavily dewed grass in the mornings. I stepped outside and thick fog hung in the air. It was 7:00 AM, and the sun was beginning to burn through the mist with some filtered reds and oranges. A large moon hung high in the sky, and my truck passed under it on my way to our land in Butler, Minnesota. Pulling up, I unlocked the gate and pushed it open. Dew hung heavy on the grass and bejeweled thousands of spider webs across the 30 acre pasture. In a few moments I had my camera in hand as I passed through the knee high grass.

Many of us have a location that we’ve visited many times, and a stop there brings back many important memories for us. For these spots, there are peak experiences when conditions or moments are at their best. This sweaty, August morning was one of those for me. The foggy sunrise catalyzed the transformation of the scene from dewy, shadowed pasture to a hot, new day. As it did so I tried to capture the beauty of the morning dew on the webs and flowers that it encrusted in shiny droplets. Some of the spider webs had drops so large and heavy that they reflected the world over-and-over while dragging their grass pylons down around them with their collective weight. I feared a slight wind would cause them to drop off before I was done.

The sun rose higher and I turned my meandering around; I was headed south but turned to heading north. I passed along the edge of the grassland and sank below a small rise. As I came over the top hill my eye caught movement and then the body of a deer. The deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was a small fawn accompanied by its mother. Somehow I had caught the attention of the fawn only, and the mother continued to graze. His curiosity got them best of him, and he started to walk towards to me. I stood post-like with camera clicking. By the time the fawn was satisfied that something wasn’t-quite-right he stood 10 yards away. The mother had moved silently up the hill and stood about 20 yards away to contemplate me too. Finally she stomped a foot, snorted, and brought her offspring into the shelter of the woods.

My conclusion to you is this : every day is a new day, and you can only go enjoy what you go to see. If you have a favorite spot, I challenge you to go experience that location when it is at its best.