Appalachian Mushrooms. Walter E. Sturgeon
PREFACE
WILD MUSHROOMS OCCUR in all Appalachian habitats, including soil, moss, humus, living trees, dead wood, and manure. Some wild mushrooms have specialized habitats that include insects, other fungi, nutshells, and aphid exudates. Wild mushrooms exhibit an amazing diversity, and there are many more species than can be included in a field guide.
Mushrooms described in this book have been found in the Appalachian region that includes parts of northern Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, western Maryland, eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and the New England states. There is considerable overlap in range, but some species common in New England, for example, are rare or absent in Georgia.
Many species are undescribed and lack a scientific or common name. The number of species in the Appalachian region is unknown. Estimates of close to three thousand species of macro fungi have been proposed. This book has included all of the popular edible species as well as many of the most common poisonous varieties. Some less common interesting species are found in this text as well.
The mushrooms in this book can be identified using features visible to the naked eye. DNA studies have revealed that in some cases mushrooms that are morphologically identical are actually not the same species. Many familiar mushrooms have incorrectly carried names belonging to their European look-alikes. This has resulted in some species temporarily being technically nameless and lumped together as complexes or groups. None of these groups contain look-alike species that differ significantly in edibility. In the future, the species within these complexes will be sorted out. There will be many new species of morels and chanterelles, for example, but all will remain as popular edibles regardless of what they are called.
The search for wild mushrooms is a scavenger hunt that enables the hunter to enjoy some of his or her quarry as food. The natural beauty of wild mushrooms soon becomes apparent. Delving a bit deeper, we see that it is important and fascinating to learn their ecological importance as recyclers, symbionts, insect killers, and a food source for many insects and animals. The finding and subsequent identification of a mushroom may lead to the discovery of much more than food in the amazing fungi kingdom.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THROUGH THEIR SUPPORT and by generously sharing their knowledge, many people have contributed to the publication of this book. I would like first to acknowledge my father, Thomas H. Sturgeon, who introduced me at an early age to the joys of discovering morels in the old orchard and field mushrooms in the pasture. I would like to extend a special thank you to my wife, Trish, who has been very patient with my spending many hours doing field work and working on this book.
Mycological knowledge has come from many individuals. William Roody has been a constant source of knowledge, field experience, and support over many years. The list of other individuals who have shared their knowledge and given support is long and includes Alan Bessette, Arleen Bessette, Ernst Both, Todd Elliot, Richard Grimm, Emily Johnson, Jay Justice, Gary Lincoff, Renee LeBeuf, Teresa Marrone, Hank Mashburn, Shannon Nix, John Plischke I, and Rod Tulloss.
Two large organizations and their forays have been an inspiration and have provided great learning opportunities. The North American Mycological Association and the Northeast Mycological Federation hold yearly large mushroom forays that offer enjoyable learning experiences. In addition, many local mycological clubs have been instrumental in sharing their local mushroom foray events. These include the Mycological Society of Toronto, the Ohio Mushroom Society, and the West Virginia Mushroom Club.
I would also like to thank Alan Bessette, Arleen Bessette, Todd Elliot, and William Roody for permission to use their photos in this book.
INTRODUCTION
Mushrooms and Macro Fungi
ALL OF THE fleshy and woody fungi fruit bodies in the woods and fields are there for one purpose, reproduction. Microscopic spores are produced somewhere on the fruit body. The part of the organism that produces these reproductive structures is mostly unseen in the substrate as it goes about its lifestyle of procuring nutrients in a saprobic, parasitic, or symbiotic manner. These hidden filaments or strands are known collectively as mycelium. When in the soil or humus, the mycelium can cover large areas. Without chlorophyll and unable to produce its own food, the fungal mycelium uses chemicals to break down its food and then absorbs the nutrients through its cell walls. The mycelium in some mushroom species forms a coating on plant roots, where there is a symbiotic relationship called mycorrhiza. In other species the mycelium is parasitic, aggressively attacking a living plant, insect, or other fungus, killing the host and using it for food. Many macro fungi are saprobes, obtaining their nutrients from dead plant material. They are nature’s primary recyclers. Many macro fungi can be parasitic at times and saprobic at other times. Some mycorrhizal fungi can also be saprobic at times.
The terms mushroom, toadstool, fleshy fungus, and macro fungi all refer to the reproductive organ of a fungus but could also refer to the organism itself. None of these terms have a scientific meaning. Non–macro fungi include molds, rusts, mildews, and yeasts. These fungi do not produce large fruiting bodies. Defining the fungus kingdom is difficult. Simply stated, a fungus is a stationary organism that reproduces by spores, lacks chlorophyll, and can’t produce its own food. It is neither a plant nor an animal. The fungi kingdom is huge and diverse. Mushrooms and macro fungi are a great introduction to the vast world of fungi. In the following pages the reader should learn to identify and eat distinctive edible species as well as to identify and avoid poisonous mushrooms. More important, the book should help the reader discover the ecology and beauty of these colorful and fascinating life forms that are all around us but are all too often overlooked.
Mushroom taxonomy continues to evolve, which has resulted in the occurrence of many synonyms. A scientific name is created by the person who described the species and published the description in a scientific journal. The name, often abbreviated, follows the species name. Name changes result from new taxonomic information or discovery that the species had previously been published with a different name. Those synonyms selected for use here are the ones the reader is most likely to encounter in recent field guides. The term “Misapplied Name” refers to a name that was commonly used for a mushroom but was discovered to belong to another, similar-looking species.
MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION
THE COLLECTION PROCESS is the first step in mushroom identification. Equipment should include a basket, knife or trowel, and wax or paper bags to keep each collection separate. Large mushrooms can be wrapped in wax paper. Plastic bags are not preferred since they can accelerate the decomposition of the fruit bodies. Do not put more than one kind in each bag. A hand lens is a useful tool for observing small features such as scales or hairs. Care should be taken to collect the whole mushroom, using the knife or trowel to dig to get the bottom of the stem. The base of the stem may have a bulb or remnants of the universal veil, which are important identification features. Note the kinds of trees in the area. Was the mushroom growing on wood, soil, humus, moss, or wood mulch? Those species with specialized habitats—such as those growing on other mushrooms, nut shells, or cones—are usually easily identified.
At home or in the lab, the first step in identifying a mushroom with gills or pores is to determine the color of a spore deposit. This deposit—called a spore print—is made by removing the stem and laying the cap with the gill or the pore side down on a sheet of white paper. Covering the cap with an inverted bowl helps protect it from drying out. After several hours, remove the cover and the mushroom cap. If the mushroom is not sterile, there will be a visible deposit of microscopic spores. The specimen chosen should be mature but not overripe. The color of the spore print is the first step in the identification of a mushroom.