1. Fungal Taxonomy and Mushroom Hunting
From Domain to Species
Why study taxonomy?

2. Domains

3. Kingdoms

5. MAJOR TAXONOMIC GROUPINGS:
Basidiomycota -- Most charismatic macrofungi; spores produced in basidia; well-developed mycelium with narrow septate mycelium.
Ascomycota -- Include other charismatic macrofungi; spores produced in asci; largest group
MAJOR TAXONOMIC GROUPINGS:
Glomeromycota -- Aka Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they enter the roots of the plants; include some truffle- like species; large, multi-nucleate asexual spores
Zygomycota -- Include molds; may have asexual or sexual spores; grow on dung
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
Amanita muscaria
This is all changing...
Morchella esculenta

6. From Kingdom to Species
Division
Subdivision
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Fungi
Eumycota
Basidiomycotina
Hymenomycetes
Agaricales
Coprinaceae
Coprinus
atramentarius

7. Types of Hymenia
Gilled
Polypores
Jelly
Toothed
Puffballs
Truffles

8. Morels, false Morels and Elfin Saddles
Types of Hymenia
Club, coral or fan-like
Molds
Rusts
Morels, false Morels and Elfin Saddles
Crusts
Cup
And more...

9. 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
Rhizomorph - Interwoven hyphae (often visible)
Sclerotia - A balls of hyphae that can stay dormant for long periods
Sterile - Infertile
Substrate - The food source of the fungi, what it is growing on

10. Parts of a Mushroom

11. 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.

12. A Few important Families
Agaricus bisporus
Suillus luteus
Boletaceae:
Mycorrhizal, convex to flat cap, has tubes (pores) as hymenia. Stalks have various types of ornamentation. Varying shades of yellow, brown or black spores. Usually squishy and maggoty but yummy.
Agaricaceae: Saprophytes with membranous stalk, gills pinkish when young and brown spores. Some stain red, some others stain yellow. Most are edible.
Amanita phalloides
Amanitaceae:
Ectomycorrhizal, cap may carry veil tissue, may either have a partial or universal veil, white gills and white spores. Responsible for roughly 90% of mushroom poisonings.

13. A Few more important Families
Russulaceae:
Chalky stem, with a brittle cap that is plane in age. The flesh contains large spherical cells called “sphaerocysts.” Have a hypogeous relative, like many other epigeous fungi. Some are edible, some cause gastrointestinal distress.
Polyporaceae:
Most are Bracket fungi with pores, but some have gill-like structures, and some have stems. Most have white spores. Saprotrophic. Includes Trametes, Lenzites,
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.

14. 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.

15. 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.
Supplies in the field:
-Basket and/or non-plastic bag
-knife.
-ID book
Things to look for:
-substrate
-recent weather
-abundance
-growth habit
-date
-location
-nearby plants
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.

16. 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.

17. Questions...?