The Arizona Fun-Gi is the official newsletter of the Arizona Mushroom Club (AZMC) and is published quarterly.
All articles appearing may be freely reproduced provided the source and author are acknowledged.

BOOM BUSINESS - WILD MUSHROOMS?

Much to the chagrin of those of us who hunt mushrooms for the personal joy of collection, eating or for scientific reasons more and more reports of commercial harvesting like this one surface:

Morel Harvesters Descend on Montana Forest
by Mark Matthews
Washington Post, June 26, 2001

HUSON, Mont. - The Lolo National Fores Nine-mile Ranger District has witnessed armies of people marching through during the last 10 months.  Last summer wildfires scorched about 72,000 acres in Lolo.  This spring, more than 1,000 people have returned to the areas to cash in on a valuable by-product of fire - morel mushrooms.

The morel crop is booming, a result of less competition from other plants, more sunlight getting through to the forest floor and the nutrients in the ash.  "We haven't been able to do our regular jobs," said Jamie Bras, a clerk at the ranger station.  By June they had issued more than 1,000 permits - half to commercial pickers.

About 6,000 pounds of mushrooms are being harvested every day.  Other forests in Montana, where more than 900,000 acres burned, are experiencing much the same run.  On a good day a picker makes about $150.  If cool temperatures persist, along with periodic snow and rain, the picking season in western Montana could easily last until fall.

Last December Nine-mile employees contacted workers at forests in Oregon, where mushroom picking is an annual event, for guidance.  Nine-mile designated ten group-camping areas for mushroom pickers and charges $20 for camping permits, which covers the cost of portable toilets and trash pickup.  Nine-mile also hired a liaison person who speaks Cambodian, Laotian and Spanish to mingle with the pickers.  District law enforcement officers frequently visit the camps.  Litter has become a problem and the camps also may (may?) have a detrimental effect on the local bear population.

Note: On the surface this may look like just another ingenious way to make a buck.  The big question to be asked is this - "at what cost to our forest and wildlife?"

AZMC Logo Wear

Thanks to Marilyn and Fred Bischoff, our members can now show their "true blue" colors with Arizona Mushroom Club apparel!  The Bischoffs have been hard at work making items with the AZMC logo available.  Show club unity and support by wearing Arizona Mushroom Club hats, shirts, or patches.  The more items we order, the lower the cost!

Here are approximate prices:

Quality 'Polo' style short sleeved shirts (sizes S to 4X) ~ $23.00

Baseball style caps ~ $12.50

Embroidered patches ~ $6.00

News from the Web

by Scott Bates

email: azmushclub@aol.com
website: http://members.aol.com/azmushclub/

Greetings AZ Mushroomers!

Summer has been quickly passing me by, and I hope that you are all well (and staying cool).  Toward the end of July I was up to check things out on the Mogollon Rim.  It has been raining there a bit so I was able to find a few species including Polyporus arcularius, Leccinum brunneum (ID not yet confirmed, a brown capped aspen Bolete), and Xeromphalina campanella.  I also came across a Rhodocollybia species that still has me stumped.

Unfortunately, I didn't come across any Boletus edulis or Amanita muscaria ( a B. edulis indicator species).  

While I was out of town, Ann and Rich Therrien agreed to notify members via email if a foray was announced (thanks A & R).  I would encourage folks to head up north just to see some of the variety of fungi that are fruiting this summer.  Check the email list on the website if you would like to find someone from your area who might also like to get out.

Willow Springs Lake will be our next club foray target.  Let's hope for more rain!

Also of interest, I have started an experimental herbarium that if successful could be used by the club for teaching purposes.  I will keep everyone notified on the progress (i.e. if the mushrooms keep or if the bugs carry them away).  In the meantime, if you find anything of interest this summer, please dry it and save it for the herbarium (note on where you found it, color of cap, dimensions of the cap and stem, ect. would also be helpful).

I am particularly interested in collecting some of the fungi that are more typically found in the desert like Battarrea phalloides.  Any material would be greatly appreciated.  So, let me know if you have saved anything!

Happy hunting, and I hope to see you all in the field!

Remember:

Please be sure to contact Scott at azmushclub@aol.com if your email address has changed or if it is not on the websites' email list.  Visit our website often.  You will find club news, and great mushroom related information.  Communicate with your fellow "connected" club members via email - there are 68 of us now!

The Book Review Corner
Important Literature for the Amateur Mycologist:
Six Books that EVERY beginning Mushroomer in Arizona Should Know

Book Two:

Mushrooms Demystified
by
David Arora

(Review by Scott Bates)

***

The morel season is over and now we get a bit more serious about sorting out the plethora of mushrooms found in Arizona.  Serious work calls for a serious book - it's time to pull out (or purchase) the western mushroomer's "bible", David Arora's Mushrooms Demystified (Second Edition, Ten Speed Press).  Although it was mainly written with Californian species in mind, it works well for the entire western United States including Arizona (out fair state is mentioned several times in reference to certain species occurring here).

The fact that numerous mushroomers own well-worn copies (with covers usually taped back together) is a testament that this book is well worth its weight (nearly five pounds!) in gold out in the field.  Mushrooms Demystified contains about six-hundred black and white photographs to illustrate the species, and two-hundred color photos can be found in the middle of the book.  Over two-thousand species are covered with excellent descriptions and comments that will keep the experienced mushroomer flipping through its pages for years to come, if not a life time.  For the beginner, this book offers an excellent introduction to "mushrooming".

Readers will also find numerous useful dichotomous keys to help them put a name on the mushroom in hand.  And, if you don't know what a dichotomous keys are, page twenty-one will give you a thorough and entertaining lesson about them.  The only thing not demystified here is how a mere mortal was ever able to put together such an information packed tome.  Priced at around thirty dollars, you get all this plus three helpful appendices; Mushroom Cookery, Mushroom Toxins, and "What It All Means" (a short dictionary of latin and greek name elements).  There are also general and genus/species indices, a glossary, and bibliography.

I am CONSTANTLY refering to my copy, and I would recommend this book over any other for a mushroomer living in Arizona.

Reviewer's note:  If you like Mushrooms Demystified, David Arora has another smaller book out from the same publishers called " All that Rain Promises and More..." that is meant to be a pocket field companion to Mushrooms Demystified.

This book is available at:

www.amazon.com

The Great Fungal Vocabulary Quiz

by Rich Therrien

Colorful Terms

White Mountain Foray, August 2001

Reported by Pat Donaldson

The foray was highly successful in that many species, both edible and poisonous, were found.  The well known edibles consisted of :

Boletus edulis (Porcini, Cep, Steinpilz, King Bolete)
Boletus barrowsii (White King Bolete)
Cantharellus cibarius (Chantarelle)
Amanita rubescens (Blusher)
Sparassis crispa (Cauliflower)
Hydnum imbricatus (Hawk's Wing)
Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster)
Pholiota squarrosoides
Hypomyces lactifluorum (Lobster)
Leccinum insigne (Aspen Bolete)
Auricularia auricula (Wood Ear)
Clitocybe gibba (Funnel Cap)

Other edibles found:

Clavariadelphus truncatus (Flat Top Club)
Lycoperdon sp. (Puffballs)
Lactarius deliciosus (Delicious Milk Cap)
Albatrellus ovinus (Sheep Polyporee)

Lots of other fungi as well:

Ramaria (Purple, Golden, Pink Corals)
Russula
Cortinarius
Amanita
Suillus
Lepiota
Tricholoma

Although there were plenty of chantarelles to go around, there also were plenty of chantarelles to go around, there also were several chantarelle look-alike species.  Collectors need to verify every mushroom!

Thursday evening Dr. Leathers lectured on "White Mountain Mushrooms" at the Big Lake visitors center to a S.R.O. audience.  Webmaster Scott Bates did a nature walk with a troop of Boy Scouts.  On Saturday at noon Scott Bates arranged a display of collected species at the visitors center with the help of Ron and Garnet Jones representing the Forest Service.  The displayed fungi were identified and labeled by Dr. Leathers, Scott Bates, Terry Beckman, and Rosemary Leathers.  The club wishes to express thanks to Foray Chairman Terry Beckman who guided us into excellent areas.  Membership Chairman, Pat Donaldson, signed up a number of enthusiastic new members.

Intermittent rains could not even dampen the spirits of our enthusiastic group of mushroom hunters.  It is trips like this that make membership in a society worthwhile.  As long as the monsoons last, we anticipate that mushrooms will continue to appear.  There should also be good collecting on the Rim.

Even though we were in the heart of wolf country (re-introduced), we saw no wolves.  We did see elk, deer, a flock of turkeys, blue grouse, a green frog, a snake, woodpeckers, buffalo, osprey, llamas, horses, mules, a big black dog, a herd of antelope, and a polka dot cow.

Cyber-editor's note: Terry BECKman's name appeared incorrectly as Bateman in the paper edition of the AZ Fun-Gi.

For 'on-line' FUNGI Readers

For great mushroom pictures and descriptions check out this website:

http://www.mykoweb.com

Have a interesting fungi related website to share?    Contact Ann at: steinpilz98@yahoo.com

Dr. Leathers has called a foray:

Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001.

We will meet at the Willow Springs Lake parking lot (just west of where boats are launched plan to go to collecting sites from there) at 9:00 a.m. and go to the collecting sites from there.

This will be a 1-day trip and back to the Valley by dark or thereabouts. Bring collecting baskets, rain gear, lunch and beverage. Probably our last foray for the season. Caesar's mushrooms are out in force at this time.

The road to the Willow Springs Lake parking lot is at the point where you just reach the top of the Rim if you come up 260 going north from Payson. The road is on the north side of 260. My map lists it as Forest Road 149, but it is better to follow the signs to Willow Springs Lake. Make sure that you go down a road to the parking lot. There is also a little pull off parking just off the side of 260 (you don't go down a road) with a Willow Springs Lake sign, but that is a trailhead parking for a trail that takes you down to the lake.

If you are coming down 260 from the east, you will first pass the Forest Lakes and the Willow Springs Lake road is just a short way west down 260. If you get to Woods Canyon lake or start going down off the Rim on 260 toward Payson, you have gone to far west.

Hope to see you in the field!

Scott Bates

From the Pothunter's Kitchen

Potato Pancakes with Morels

Boil 3 or 4 medium sized russet potatoes (Yukon Gold is the best if they are available) just until they are tender - do not overcook!  Let them cool completely, then shred like for hash browns.

In a 10-inch heavy non-stick skillet over a medium high heat, place 1 tablespoon each of butter and vegetable oil.  Let butter and oil get very hot but not smoking.  While the fats heat, chop or break into small pieces about 2 tablespoons of dried Morels, and put into enough water to cover.  Leave until soft and pliable (about 5 minutes).

Dry Morels and add to skillet.  Cook until mushrooms have imparted their wonderful essence into the oil and butter mixture.  Remove mushrooms with slotted spoon and set aside.

Now add potatoes all at once, pat down to fill the skillet with an even layer.  Layer Morels over the top of the potato pancake and let cook for approximately 12 to 15 minutes.  Your looking for a nice golden brown crust on the bottom.  Turn out onto plate and give your taste buds a treat!

Submitted
by
Jean Gula
Fun-Gi editor emeritus

***

Pasta with Chanterelles

Try this with a salad and crusty bread . . .

6 sun dried tomatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon shallots, minced
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms cut into quarters
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1  pound Spelt 'angel hair' pasta
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
1 scallion, trimmed and sliced diagonally into 1/4 inch slices

***

Cover the dried tomatoes with 1/2 cup boiling water and let stand about five minutes.  Drain, reserving the soaking liquid.   Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat, add and saute' the shallots for about one minute or until they're tender.

Add the mushrooms and tomatoes, and saute' for about 3 more minutes, stirring almost constantly.  Stir in the milk, salt, and white pepper.

Add the reserved soaking liquid and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 12 minutes or until the volume is reduced by about 1/4.

Cook the pasta according to instructions, drain, and transfer to a large bowl.  Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss.  Sprinkle with the Parmesan and scallions.

from the editor

Species List for Big Lake Summer Foray 2001 ect...

Greetings Arizona Mushroomers:

I hope that all is well (and that you have had your fill of mushrooms).  I have heard reports that the Caesar's Amanita (A. caesarea) are fruiting on the east end of the Rim.

***Remember that Amanita muscaria will often fade, and if the warts wash off in the rain this species can look very close to the Caesar's Amanita.  However, A. caesarea has yellow gills, stem, and ring.  There is also a conspicuous cup (volva) at the base of the stem.

Below you will find a species list for the 2001 summer foray at Big Lake.  Many more species were seen, but this is what we were able to identify.  Please contact me if I missed anything.  

Happy Mushrooming!

Scott Bates

Species List for the Big Lake Summer Foray 2001

Kingdom - Mycota Division - Eumycota Subdivsion - Basidiomycotina

Class - Hymenomycetes Subclass - Holobasidiomycetidea Order - Agaricales Family - Agaricaceae Genus - Agaricus o A. silvicola (almond odor) Family - Amanitaceae Genus - Amanita o A. ceasarea o A. fulva (A. crocea? w/ sweet taste) o A. muscaria o A. pantherina o A. rubescens o A. vaginata Family - Boletaceae Genus - Boletus o B. barrowsii o B. edulis Genus - Leccinum o L. insigne group Genus - Suillus o S. americanus o S. granulatus o S. lakei o S. pseudobrevipes Family - Coprinaceae Genus - Coprinus o C. atramentarius o C. comatus o C. micaceus Genus - Panaeolus o P. semiovatus Family - Cortinariaceae Genus - Cortinarius o C. collinitus group Family - Hygrophoraceae Genus - Hygrocybe o H. conica Genus - Hygrophorus o H. chrysodon o H. erubescens o H. puniceus o H. speciosus Family - Lepiotaceae Genus - Macrolepiota o M. rachodes Family - Paxillacea Genus - Hygrophoropsis o H. aurantiaca Family - Russulaceae Genus - Lactarius o L. barrowsii o L. deliciosus o L. rubrilacteus Genus - Russula o R. alutacea group o R. brevipes o R. claroflava o R. emetica group o R. rosacea

Family - Strophariaceae Genus - Pholiota o P. squarrosoides Family - Tricholomataceae Genus - Armillaria o A. mellea Genus - Clitocybe o C. gibba var. maxima Genus - Floccularia o F. staminea (var. w/ smooth yellow cap) Genus - Gymnopus o G. dryophila (formerly Collybia) Genus - Laccaria o L. laccata Genus - Leucopaxillus o L. amarus Genus - Mycena o M. acicula Genus - Phyllotopsis o P. nidulans Genus - Pleurotus o P. ostreatus Genus - Tricholoma o T. flavovirens Order - Aphyllophorales Family - Cantharellaceae Genus - Cantharellus o C. cibarius Genus - Gomphus o G. floccosus Family - Clavariaceae Genus - Clavulinopsis o C. pupurea Genus - Clavariadelphus o C. ligula o C. truncatus Genus - Clavicorona C. pyxidata Genus - Ramaria o R. apiculata o R. flava o R. rasilispora group (=R. aurea) Genus - Sparassis o S. crispa

Family - Hydaceae Genus - Dentinum o D. repandum Genus - Sarcodon o S. imbricatum Family - Polyporaceae Genus - Albatrellus o A. ovinus Genus - Ganoderma o G. lucidum Genus - Phaeolus o P. schweinitzii Order - Dacrymcetales Family - Dacrymycetaceae Genus - Dacrymces o D. palmatus Subclass- Phragmobosidiomycetidea Order - Auriculariales Family - Auriculariaceae Genus - Auricularia o A. auricula Class - Gastromycetes Family - Lycoperdaceae Genus - Lycoperdon o L. perlatum Order - Nidulariales Family - Nidulariaceae Genus - Cyathus o C. striatus Subdivision - Ascomycotina Class - Discomycetes Order - Helotiales Family - Geoglossaceae Genus - Spathularia o S. spathulata Class - Pyrenomycetes Order - Hypocreales Family - Hypomycetaceae Genus - Hypomyces o H. lactifluorum

Mush-cellaneous

This is your newsletter!

If you would like to participate in the creation of future issues, submit thoughts, articles, pictures, experiences, e.t.c. to:

Ann Therrien at

steinpilz98@yahoo.com

or mail to:

Ann Therrien
(email her for address)

You do not have to be writer, just submit and leave the rest to your editor!

Click here to view to other editions.

The Arizona Fun-Gi is the official newsletter of the Arizona Mushroom Club AZMC,
and is published quarterly.

All articles appearing may be freely reproduced provided
the source and author are acknowledged.