Mycology, British Columbian Style: Ann in Bridge Lake Returns!
Extremely talented and a relentless researcher, mycologist Ann Simpson, returns to The RGG with the Hi-Res lowdown on some of the most beautiful and surreal low growers on the planet – the fabulous fungi of Bridge Lake, British Columbia. Yep, Ann in Bridge Lake is back, and she’s administering a healthy (and fascinating) dose of mycology, British Columbian style.
Regular RGG readers and long-time subscribers will remember Ann Simpson (Ann in Bridge Lake, as she’s known to her substantial contingent of social media followers) from “An Interview with a Citizen Scientist” right here in The Renaissance Garden Guy back in December of 2022. For those of you new to The RGG and to Ann Simpson’s remarkable endeavors, I highly recommending checking out that interview. In the meantime, let me dial you in with a super-fast piece of paraphrasing: Ann is a mycologist* based in Bridge Lake, British Columbia, Canada’s richly forested, westernmost province. Her fieldwork and research skills are peerless, her knowledge is encyclopedic, and her photography is stunning. To top it all off, she’s incredibly kind and gracious. In terms of unveiling the surreal and mysteriously beautiful secrets of North American mushrooms (and other wondrous fungi), there’s simply no one better suited to the task than Ann. And there are no more dazzling specimens than those that grow in the the forests of British Columbia. So, today, this is Ann’s baby. She’s going to introduce you to some of the strangest and most beautiful and mysterious terrestrial life-forms on the planet. And when she’s finished with those introductions, she’s going to give you some incredibly helpful information for formulating your own mushroom and fungus identification and study plan. From here on out, sports fans, you’re in the more-than-capable hands of Ann in Bridge Lake. So, get ready for some full-on mycology, British Columbian style.
*Note to readers: Ann is quick to point out that she is not a credentialed mycologist. She demurely considers herself a “citizen scientist” or a “mycophile.” In my book, Ann’s the real deal – credentials or not. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, having gained that knowledge through exhaustive fieldwork and relentless research. For the intents and purposes of this article, I’m going with “mycologist.” Ann’s incredible knowledge and skill provide all the justification I need.
J.G.S., November, 2024
Mycology, British Columbian Style
Ann Simpson
Thank you so much, John, for that introduction and also for having me back. Before we begin, I have to admit to RGG readers that when we did the first feature, I was not sure if talking about fungi would be very interesting, and then John shared with me after it was published how much everyone enjoyed it. I was so very grateful for all your positive comments and interest, and I want to thank everyone for that.
What I’ve got for you today are twelve pairs of photos of mushrooms and fungi that can be found in many parts of North America, as well as in other parts of the world, along with some helpful information about each of the specimens in the photos. Following this part of the article, you’ll find six additional photos with helpful information to start you on your own mushroom and fungi explorations.
So, how about we go ahead and start by meeting some mushrooms?
Photos 1A and 1B
Scientific Name: Russula emetica
Common Name: The Sickener
Group (Genus): Brittlegills (Russula)
Date & Location: 13-Sep-2024 – Hwy 24 Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Widely distributed throughout Northern Hemisphere in damp and mossy coniferous areas, usually where pine is present; late summer and fall.
Key Features: Cap 6-9cm, usually a strong red but shades can vary; gills white to creamy; flesh and stem white; taste can be mild in flesh but usually very acrid (hot) in gills; slightly fruity or indistinctive odour; spore colour white.
Comments: No other mushroom is capable of eliciting more frustration from me than a Brittlegill. Instantly recognizable with features that are so apparent, yet most times an exact species ID is elusive. The genus is very large and new species are always being added, which compounds the confusion. So the accomplishment here is twofold: managing to elicit a species ID and finding one that I hadn’t seen before even though it is considered rather common. Two keys that matter when identifying a Brittlegill that should not be skipped are taste (not eating!) and spore colour, as both have variations that occur within the genus. As the name suggests, the Sickener contains compounds that will cause GI distress if consumed raw, though it is not considered as dangerous as once implied. Another recent update is that DNA studies have found that some other Brittlegill species like R. bicolor are in fact R. emetica, which means that maybe this wasn’t the first time that I came across this and now I have some back-checking to do.
Photos 2A and 2B
Scientific Name: Gymnopilus sapineus
Common Name: Scaly Rustgill
Group (Genus): Rustgills & Gyms (Gymnopilus)
Date & Location: 13-Sep-2024 – Hwy 24 Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Growth on dead conifer usually pines and widely distributed on many continents; summer and fall.
Key Features: Clustered growth; small when young (1-2cm) growing to 5-9cm across; golden-yellow to orange brown caps with scaly surface; disappearing veil will leave stem yellow at apex when young; gills yellow becoming rusty-yellow then rusty-brown; spore colour rusty orange to rusty brown.
Comments: Are Gymnopilus boring and not worth investigating? Some might think so, but I don’t mind spending a bit of time with these when I occasionally come across them. The issue with these wood decomposers is that it can be a bit difficult to identify the exact species, and many often have a tendency to all look the same as they mature. I was fortunate finding these particular specimens so fresh, as it made the process easier while some of the key features were more apparent. I’ll be honest and admit that I wasn’t really drawn to them because they were Gymnopilus, but simply because I thought they would make for part of a nice photo along with a great looking slime mould that really caught my eye first, and that also just happened to be growing next to them.
Photos 3A and 3B
Scientific Name: Lactarius rufus
Common Name: Rufous Milkcap
Group (Genus): Common Milkcaps (Lactarius)
Date & Location: 18-Sep-2024 – Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Very common in Northern temperate zones in coniferous areas usually with pine, but also spruce and birch; late spring to late autumn.
Key Features: Cap usually brick-coloured, growing to 10cm and often becoming shallowly depressed in center; gills cream, slightly decurrent aging to slightly paler than cap colour; latex (‘milk’) is white and does not change colour on exposure but usually does not stain the mushroom; latex taste very peppery; spore colour pale yellow.
Comments: I never used to find many Lactarius species here, but over the last couple of years the weather has been very encouraging for fungi, and this year was a bonanza for these interesting mushrooms. They are called Milkcaps because they produce latex (“milk”) that makes the genus easy to recognize, and the characteristics of the latex can point towards the species (if you look closely at the gill photo you will see some of these drops of latex). Latex can be white or coloured, some change colour upon exposure while some don’t, and with some, the latex colour can be unchanging but will stain areas of the mushroom where it comes into contact (some common staining colours here are purple or green). One is supposed to taste the latex in the identification process but there are only three flavours: hot, very hot, and I burned my tongue. Until you’ve tried enough, it can be hard to tell the difference, so, unless it’s a tricky species, it’s a step that can usually be skipped. Mature Lactarius caps are often on the larger size and many will have subtle radial zoning on the surface so if you think you’ve found a Milkcap, just run your fingernail or something else over the gills and see if you have in fact milked a mushroom.
Photos 4A and 4B
Scientific Name: Pholiota decorata
Common Name: Not assigned
Group (Genus): Scalycaps (Pholiota)
Date & Location:13-Oct-2023 – Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Southern parts of BC to California, growing with fallen conifer branches and debris; summer and fall.
Key Features: Caps 4-9cm, cream towards margin with disc covered in brownish scales and a hairy-fringed margin, somewhat viscid (slimy) at times; gills white to creamy yellow, cap margin inrolled; stem silky towards apex and flaky brownish scales towards bottom; spore colour cigar brown.
Comments: Scalycaps are quite numerous here in the fall, with many different varieties showing up at the same time. I first found this particular species a few years prior to this observation but subsequently did not observe it again. Now I have discovered a single site where they do grow and I make an annual pilgrimage to see if they have returned (and they do). Most of the Scalycap species I’ve found here are shades of yellow, orange, or brown, so the creamy colour along with the interesting gill and stem features makes this a mushroom that I always look forward to seeing again.
Photos 5A and 5B
Scientific Name: Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca
Common Name: False Chanterelle
Group (Genus): Hygrophoropsis
Date & Location: 06-Oct-2023 – Hwy 24 Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Usually in mixed woodlands (found here with conifers and aspen), widely distributed in Northern Hemisphere but also found in other continents; summer and fall.
Key Features: Caps 2-8cm with felt-like appearance and in varying shades of orange, brown, yellow or olive; stem very often off-center and in orange shades; gills narrow and decurrent (blunt when young), forked into pairs; spore colour white to cream.
Comments: Chanterelles are prized and hunted down by foragers all over the world for their dining pleasure, however… this is not a Chanterelle, but rather the equally famous False Chanterelle, an interesting find in its own right mainly because I did not think it ranged here. The key difference between the two is that a Chanterelle doesn’t have true gills like this but rather ridges that resemble gills. Habitat for a Chanterelle is typically hardwood forests while a False Chanterelle is usually found with conifers in mixed woods. There are many other differences that one needs to learn in order to differentiate between a Chanterelle and some more toxic lookalikes, but for now let’s just admire this False Chanterelle for what it is and declare that it is a beautiful mushroom, even if it is not edible.
Photos 6A and 6B
Scientific Name: Trametes pubescens
Common Name: Not assigned
Group (Genus): Trametes
Date & Location: 15-Sep-2022 – Hwy 24 North side Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Worldwide distribution and quite frequent in North America, mainland Europe (less so in Britain & Ireland); on wood of dead hardwoods; an annual with new growth occurring in the fall.
Key Features: Uniformly shaped brackets of white, cream or buff; caps to 6cm that are leathery and un-zoned or faintly zoned; pores 3-5 per mm becoming more angular with thinner walls, cream becoming yellowish with age.
Comments: Polypores are so interesting and make a good starting point for learning more about fungi. These hardy brackets and conks can be found on all types of wood hosts and have features that can be easy to recognize once you get the hang of it. The trick is to look underneath the brackets, which is something that even a casual observer should always do so as not to miss out on some amazing things – colours like purple, grey or burgundy, shapes like tiny pores, toothy surfaces, mazes and wrinkles or even gill-like surfaces that aren’t gills. Trametes are just one of many genera that are commonly found all over the world making them easy to find. Turkey-Tail (T. veriscolor) is perhaps the most admired for its well-defined colour zones but sadly it doesn’t seem to grow here. However we do have plenty of Ochre Bracket (T. ochracea), Hairy Bracket (T. hirsuta) and occasionally T. pubescens. So don’t ignore the polypores when you’re checking out fungi, and remember this pro tip: if you find something that is smooth underneath, then you’ve actually found a Stereum species.
Photos 7A and 7B
Scientific Name: Collybia (subgenus) species
Common Name: Funnels (Subg. Collybia)
Group (Genus): Collybia
Date & Location: 18-Sep-2024 – Hwy 24 Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Genus widely distributed throughout the Northern hemisphere but has been found worldwide, individual species will have a regional distribution; this one found in a coniferous habitat containing some aspens.
Key Features: For this specimen, cap 5cm, whitish with water-soaked spots creating areas that are buff; large amount of basal tomentum (mycelium) that collected a great deal of moss, wood and plant debris; very fragrant with a sweet or spicy odour; spore colour very pale yellow (or cream).
Comments: If some of the above strikes you as vague, then you know you have a mushroom conundrum – and I thought it might be interesting share one with you. When I found this particular specimen, I concluded in the field that it was likely some type of Funnel species. But what is intriguing is that, so far, I’m not exactly sure what kind of Funnel it actually is. All the features are pushing me towards a Frosty Funnel (Collybia phyllophila) but where it gets tricky is the fact that I cannot be sure how far this even ranges into Canada, if at all. Mapping of occurrences at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) show records in BC and up to Alaska, but a deeper dive reveals that the species is actually Clitocybe dilatata back when Clitocybe phyllophia was considered the same mushroom under a synonym, but these are now two separate species under different genera. Clitocybe dilatata is actually rather common in BC but it lacks the very fragrant spicy-sweet odor I detected, so, for now, I’m ruling that out. Presently I have the identification parked under a subgenus of Collybia – a handy place between the genus and the number of species it could be. Another hope is that conditions next year produce it again in the location I have geo-tagged so I can collect more specimens and submit them for DNA sequencing in order to get the answer I need. Current status: Cold Case.
Photos 8A and 8B
Scientific Name: Hericium coralloides
Common Name: Coral Tooth Fungus
Group (Genus): Tooth Fungi (Hericium)
Date & Location: 02-Sep-2023 – Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Worldwide distribution, common in northern temperate zones but rarer in others; growth on dead hardwoods; summer to fall.
Key Features: Fruiting body 8-35cm wide, 6-15cm high; tufts of whitish teeth evenly distributed along branches which arise from a repeatedly branching base.
Comments: Some of you who are a bit familiar with fungi may have heard about Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) – just google it and you are bombarded with sites selling supplements or grow kits for raising your own. Hericium fungi share key features: spiny branches and they are delicious. Out here, I won’t find Lion’s Mane, but have instead found this beauty a few times. From a distance it looks like a patch of unmelted snow lying up against a fallen aspen, but once you get closer you see all the tiny tree-like growths that look like they are frozen in ice. One might think that it is hard – like coral – but actually it is very soft and pliant. As it ages, it will start to yellow a bit in colour (not good eating then), but when found fresh it is as pure as the driven snow. I don’t collect for dining so I just snipped off a little piece and left the rest (almost the entire specimen) behind to be admired by others. I don’t believe anyone else ever found it, as I continued to see it remaining safe and sound up until the point that its life cycle was complete.
Photos 9A and 9B
Scientific Name: Hygrophorus pusillus
Common Name: Not assigned
Group (Genus): Woodwaxes (Hygrophorus)
Date & Location: 11-Oct-2024 – Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Western North America (British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon and California); growth under conifers; September to December.
Key Features: Small whitish caps 1-4cm with pale brownish-pink colouring in center, cap margins pleated or scalloped; gills short-decurrent with 2 tiers of subgills; stem dry but can be fibrillose near apex; at first viscid (slimy) but drying with age; faintly sweet or fruity or odour when young but soon indistinctive; spore colour white.
Comments: Woodwaxes are very cool. Not to be confused with Waxcaps (though they do reside in the same family), these ground dwellers are usually less viscid (slimy) with a great deal of variety in cap and stem appearance as they mature and many have wonderful scents. We have quite a few different species here and every year it seems I can add another two or three new finds to my observations, like this interesting one. And while this species has a limited range, the distribution overall for the genus is worldwide and with only about 100 known species so far the chances of finding and identifying one are pretty good even for the casual observer.
Photos 10A and 10B
Scientific Name: Pholiota limonella
Common Name: Not assigned, but considered one of three Golden Pholiota species
Group (Genus): Scalycaps (Pholiota)
Date & Location:14-Sep-2023 – Hwy 24 Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Distribution throughout in temperate zones of Northern Hemisphere; growth on damaged or dead hardwood logs and trees; late summer and fall.
Key Features: Caps 2.5-5cm convex to flat, viscid (slimy), lemon yellow when fresh and covered with reddish or tawny erect scales; stem pale or yellowish with scattered yellowish recurved scales, smooth above ring zone; cottony veil when young but appearance is fleeting; gills pallid later becoming brown to rust-brown; spore colour rusty-brown.
Comments: A good reminder, that when outside, to occasionally look up for an interesting find. There are three very similar species that belong to the same group (or section) of Scalycaps, all can be found in BC – Pholiota adiposa (smallest), P. aurivella (largest) and P. limonella (somewhere in between). It was always thought that P. limonella is the most common in BC, but recently it’s becoming less apparent that these could be separate species, and, perhaps are just variations (sub-species) of the same mushroom. The only microscopic difference between the three is a slight difference in spore size, but overall spore appearance is the same, and DNA doesn’t reveal many differences without a really deep dive into the sequencing. P. limonella was my determination due to the size and also the host, which here was a large and somewhat damaged willow – the others tend to be a bit more host-specific with willow not being mentioned. For my part, until we see some future taxonomic decisions on these, I find it hard to disagree with any of these identifications being selected for these lovely fungi.
Photos 11A and 11B
Scientific Name: Cortinarius trivialis
Common Name: Girdled Webcap
Group (Genus): Webcaps (Cortinarius)
Date & Location: 18-Sep-2024 – Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Growth under hardwoods in temperate zones, scattered distribution in North America but widely distributed throughout Eurasia; summer and fall.
Key Features: Cap 3-10cm ochre coloured to reddish-brown, very viscid (slimy); stem whitish but brown from base, covered with glutinous veil making stem appear net-like to irregularly girdled; gills bluish-grey when young aging to more greyish-brown; abundant veil when young; spore colour rusty-brown.
Comments: If I had to decide, I would say that Webcaps rank among the most common type of mushroom that I come across, but that doesn’t mean they all look the same. It’s always difficult to determine the exact species, as there are over 4,000 named ones and still a great deal of unknowns in terms of those that are found here in British Columbia. So it’s always a treat to come across the few that are known to be here where there is a possibility of identifying the species. I’ve found these before, but usually at a more mature stage, so finding a group where one could clearly see their most defining features was special. I also like this particular find for having a very young one next to a maturing one, which really showcases the differences that occur as it matures. A bonus feature is the gills still being sheathed by veil, which perfectly illustrates why we call these beautifully cryptic mushrooms Webcaps.
Photos 12A and 12B
Scientific Name: Clavariadelphus truncates
Common Name: Truncated Club
Group (Genus): Clavariadelphus
Date & Location: 03-Oct-2024 – Bridge Lake (South side) Cariboo L BC
Range & Habitat: Growth under mixed conifers in temperate zones, widely distributed in North America but a more scattered distribution in Eurasia; summer and fall.
Key Features: Club-shaped fruiting body 5-15cm narrowing downwards, apex yellow-orange, orange or reddish, base becoming pink-cinnamon to lavender-brown when mature; apex blunt with surface becoming truncated, excavated or perforated, stem base pallid; surface has a very detectable sweet taste.
Comments: Sometimes you just have the urge to step off a trail and wander down a hidden footpath, then your eye catches some bright colour and you are happy you listened to that inner voice. Clubs are a fascinating type of fungi, not something I’ve seen too often. After I cleared a number of branches that had hidden these, I found the most perfect grouping in different stages of maturity – some were just rounded tops poking up through the moss. Another common name for this is Candy Club, as they are very sweet and edible, certainly eye candy for the fungi enthusiast. I ended up only removing two for my collection and left the rest to enjoy their peaceful sanctuary.
I’ve included the next six photos, and their corresponding paragraphs, for those of you who might be interested in doing some of your own mushroom and fungi field observations, and maybe even field studies. I’m hoping that the following photos and information will be helpful.
Photo A – Photographing Fungi
Hopefully after reading about fungi, perhaps you’d like to try taking some photos of your own finds. It’s probably the easiest part of being involved with mushrooms, and even if your interest only extends to photos, it’s still a great way to get involved in exploring this fabulous kingdom.
I usually start with a photo of the specimen “in situ,” which simply means situated in the original place and shows the fungi how I found it and in its habitat. For best results, you want to be at the same level as the mushroom – likely easier if you prefer using a phone, as you can just crouch down and position the phone camera to do this. However, if you’re like me and use a camera, then that might mean you have to lay out in front of the mushroom – especially if it is small like the very young Rosy Slime Spike in the photo. I don’t use a tripod, as it can be difficult with some of the terrain I get into, so I just position myself or sometimes use a log for that. Bottom line is you will get dirty, so dress for the occasion. But after a while, it’s all part of the fun when you capture the results you want. After that, and if you want to identify or even ask someone else online to help with that, you should remove a specimen and take good photos of the gills and stem to include with your observation.
I’m hoping that some of you will try your hand at this, and, from what I’ve seen in John’s feature on Readers’ Gardens, it looks like there are so many fine photographers out there. Perhaps in the future we can persuade John to have a Readers’ Mushrooms photo feature too.
Photo B – Understanding Gills
Gills are where most of the heavy lifting is done with a mushroom identification, so here’s a little run through on some of what we are looking for with gills. Most gill sections in mushroom guides and sites usually start with terms that describe how the gills are attached to the stem, and in this collage, you’ll see the five of the main types going clockwise from the top-left photo:
Adnate: The gills are broadly attached to the stem, which means there is no narrowing of the gill width from the cap margin to the stem, though it is not uncommon for some mushrooms to start as adnate and then later become adnexed or even decurrent.
Adnexed: Very similar to adnate but there is often an abrupt narrowing of the gill width before it reaches the stem. When a mushroom has adnexed gills and is very young, this attachment may not yet be visible and the gills appear to not reach the stem at all, so there may seem to be a slight gap between the gills and the stem.
Decurrent: The gill attachment occurs or continues down the top of the stem and it can vary as to how far this “running down the stem” is seen in mushrooms with decurrent gills.
Free: The gills never reach the stem – good examples are species of Field Mushrooms (Agaricus) and Deer Mushrooms (Pluteus), but remember that adnexed gills on some young mushrooms may briefly appear to be “free” also.
Notched: The gills are attached to the stem with a notch that can sometimes look like a small hook attachment – some species of Knights (Tricholoma) are notched.
There are good resources online that provide diagrams to use as a guide for identifying each of the gill types, and from there, the easiest way to actually make a determination is to cut a mushroom in half vertically right through the cap and stem to look at the interior and see these attachments in the flesh.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, but learning gill attachments is likely the most challenging step, so, hopefully I haven’t discouraged anyone from being more curious about gills.
Photo C – Understanding Stems
Stems do more than hold up the mushroom, and the features of a stem are pretty important to making identifications. There are arguably more terms used to describe a particular stem than there are for describing gills, so, we won’t go into too many here. But the shape, colour and surface do need to be examined, and then there are those stems that could also have rings, skirts and veil remnants. Some stems will undergo interior staining when sliced, and the colours should be noted. Some stems are very tough, some snap like chalk, and others will be extremely fragile. The correct process for removing a mushroom for a proper examination of the stem is to dig it up and not pull it out, or you might leave important features behind. I usually carry a tablespoon for smaller specimens and a garden hand shovel for the real beasts. So don’t neglect the stems, or you might miss out on some very fascinating ones.
Photo D – Engage Your Senses
Simply seeing a mushroom is a huge part of the focus for many observers, but using your other senses can definitely enhance the experience of finding a mushroom. Don’t ever be afraid to touch a mushroom – poisonous mushrooms can only harm you if you ingest them, and I’ve handled some of the most toxic, like the Funeral Bell. Just practice good habits like not chewing your fingernails before washing your hands when you get home and it will be fine, but, if you’re a bit cautious, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear a glove. There are times, though, when touching a mushroom is important, and some can offer up interesting experiences – particularly if you need to know just how viscid (slimy) a mushroom is. There’s nothing like trying to hold a Parrot Mushroom and you aren’t able to get a good grip because it’s just that slippery.
Another important sense is your sense of smell. Odour is so important, and while most mushrooms will have scents described as indistinctive, some like the Almond Woodwax shown in the photo will delight you with a sweet almond scent. Some others might smell like soap, bleach, green corn, radish or anise, even floral scents can be detected. So hold that mushroom up to your nose and take a big whiff and prepare to be amazed by the bouquet you might find.
Photo E – Spore Prints
You might remember that spore colour was mentioned as one of the key features in the mushrooms species I showed you earlier. All mushrooms have spores, which are part of the reproductive cycle. Sometimes, you might see the spores on the gills in the field, and other times they haven’t appeared yet, but we can extract them to determine the colour or for use with microscopy. It’s actually a pretty simple process and the spore colour can help you with finding the correct identification.
To extract spores from a particular mushroom and make a spore print, all you need is the mushroom itself, a surface to place it on, a drop of water, and a glass. Use a surface that can withstand a bit of moisture – regular paper could create a water spot that will disperse the result if the mushroom is a bit damp (most are). You can use tin foil, construction type paper (any colour) or even wax paper. I use perforated printer sheets of business cards because I like to keep and label the print. Remove the mushroom stem and place the cap gill side down on your surface, apply a small drop of water to the top of the cap and cover with a glass. I usually leave this in a dark spot for about 22 to 24 hours to ensure the print is done. Afterwards when you remove the glass and mushroom, you will have a powdery shape of the gills that you can use to help with or to confirm identification – like the Scurfy Twiglet that we have in the photo example. Pro tip: If the mushroom cap is large, you can just slice off a section to use and not try to find a glass large enough to cover the whole specimen.
Spore colours are divided into four categories (or shades):
Pale: White, pale pink, cream, yellow or orange (rarely red or green), and not mixed with brown shades – Brittlegills (Russula) will fit into this category.
Pink/Salmon: Pink shades mixed with brown and not a straight pink colour – Deer Mushrooms (Pluteus) are a good example of this.
Warm: Any spore colour that contains brown like yellow-brown or orange-brown or even just plain boring brown – does not include ones that are dark chocolate brown.
Cold & Dark: Shades that are very dark brown, grey or black – often with a hint of purple.
The best books or sites to help with mushroom identification will usually start by asking what the spore colour is, and this can help filter down the number of species you might want to look at. So you can see why taking a spore print a to determine spore color can save you time with your research.
Photo F – Hosts & Habitats
Be aware of your surroundings when you’re out looking for fungi, not only because you might run into a bear, like I did recently, but also because where you are is always a part of the process. Are you in a conifer forest or mixed woods? What trees were nearby when you found your mushroom? What type of wood was it growing on – an old conifer or hardwood? Or perhaps it was in a city park growing from recently mowed grass, or on a mossy floor in the forest. It’s important to know specifics about the relationship a mushroom will have with its environment. Even if the mushroom appears to be terrestrial, once you dig it up you might see that it is actually growing on a host, like the tiny mystery Marasmiineae species in the photo that I found in clusters on the ground, where they were actually growing on buried conifer needles.
So, make some notes (mental or otherwise) about the type of hosts and habitats that are involved when you’re out there – and don’t forget to watch for bears!
In Closing…
Let’s just close this feature with a message to any interested readers or prospective mycophiles out there, and that is to stay local. Find books or websites that focus on mushrooms in your region, and start by learning about the ones you have a good opportunity to find and study. It will make beginning your discovery of these wondrous things more accessible and rewarding. Most importantly, regardless of how casual or detailed an observer you choose to be, the goal is always to just have fun with it.
“Mycology, British Columbian Style” ©2024. Ann Simpson and The Renaissance Garden Guy
Click here to follow Ann Simpson on X (Twitter), and feel free to read about how she bailed me out of a problematic fungal situation in my own garden (that could’ve come right out of a sci-fi flick) in “Weird and Stinky Fungus in Your Mulch? Get Rid of It Quick”. Also, for Bluesky account holders, check out Ann’s content on that platform at Ann in Bridge Lake at Bluesky. Ann’s an amazing talent and a remarkably gifted (if non-credentialed) mycologist, AND, she will very likely be back, right here in The Renaissance Garden Guy – perhaps even on a regular basis. Imagine that – mycological expertise and photographic excellence on tap right here in these very digital pages. How awesome would that be?
My sincerest thanks go to Ann Simpson. It’s always a great honor and pleasure to feature her amazing work here. And as always, my dear readers and subscribers, I thank you for your kind interest and readership.
Cheers, and Happy Gardening!
The Renaissance Garden Guy is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Additionally, The Renaissance Garden Guy is a participant in the Bluehost, SeedsNow, and A2 Hosting affiliate programs. I earn a fee/commission each time a visitor clicks on an ad or banner on this site from one of these companies and makes a subsequent qualifying purchase.
Please click here to view The Renaissance Garden Guy Disclosure page.
Mushrooms are so beautiful! I was always impressed with the appearance of mushrooms after a summer rain.
But I have never known that so many different kinds of mushrooms existed. Very interesting and fascinating article, gorgeous images.🍄
Thank you for reading Ann’s article, Roxxy. I agree with you – it really was fascinating, and the number of genera and species really is enormous. And Ann’s photography is incredible. I really enjoyed this one, too, Roxxy. Thanks once again!
Living near the base of the Grand Mesa there are many opportunities to look for mushrooms, bottom to top. We know quite a number of people who forage. We don’t know where they go. Their sites are top secret. Most of the people are gentle on the locations and do not over forage. I am glad of that. I have not ever gone mushroom hunting (there are some that grow in the lawn at my house) but I do admire the properties of fungi, how they grow and their life cycle. With the climate crisis we may see some varieties disappear from known sites and maybe even new types will move in.
Outstanding photos!
I wonder how much overlap of genera and species there might be with respect to yours and Ann’s locations. These organisms are incredibly beautiful, and they obviously occupy a vital position in the North American (and planet’s at large) ecosystem. The disappearance of even one single species, I’m sure, would have serious implications, and would be heartbreaking. I agree with you, Lane. Fungi are fascinating and beautiful in an almost otherworldly way, and Ann’s knowledge, and her photography are remarkable. Thank you, Lane, for reading and commenting.
Very interesting. I never knew there were so many varieties. I remember when I was a kid that people would hunt for mushrooms on the property my parents owned. I would never have the nerve to eat the mushrooms to be found around me. What specific types do people hunt for? I only hunt for them in the produce department! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with RGG readers.
Thank you for reading Ann’s article, Kevin. I agree – it was fascinating. The number of these amazing organisms is enormous, and their properties are so incredibly diverse and varied. I appreciate Ann’s ability to identify the various genera and species, and to recognize their properties and characteristics – including toxicity vs edibility. Incredible. Thanks once again for reading, Kevin, and for commenting here.
I didn’t realize there is a whole world of mushrooms. Their variety and uses are staggering.
I agree, Rick. The size and diversity of this fascinating lifeform’s presence on the planet is remarkable. I’m grateful to Ann for sharing her knowledge, and for the introduction to those genera/species she’s included here. And, of course, I appreciate your reading her wonderful piece, Rick. Thank you.
What a fascinating article, Ann. Thank you so much for sharing your extensive knowledge. So informative, and the accompanying photographs are a delight. I very much look forward to your next feature. (That’s a not-so-subtle hint!)
Thank you, Sam, for reading Ann’s article. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I completely agree with your assessment – the subject matter is as fascinating as it is beautiful, Ann’s knowledge is remarkable, and her photography speaks for itself. And I look forward to Ann’s next feature. too – thanks once again, Sam!