Fungi may have been around much longer than once estimated!

Terrestrial fungi may date back 60 million years!

Fossils from a Wisconsin road-cut show clearly that fungi and green plants moved from water onto land at about the same time, bolstering the theory that fungi helped plants successfully invade the land.

These fossils - microscopic spores and threads in sediments dating from 460 to 455 million years ago - push the origin of land-based fungi back some 55 to 60 million years to about the same era that green plants invaded land.

Plant/fungus interactions are widespread today, with between 80 and 90 percent of all green plants forming associations with so-called mycorrhizal fungi.

These fungi grow around and into plant roots and help them absorb minerals and water.

Similar modern fungi from the genus Glomus form a simple association with modern liverworts and hornworts, relatives of the only group of land plants around 460 million years ago. Mycorrhizal fungi have been found in fossils as old as 400 million years, in company with later, more evolved vascular plants.

This provides strong circumstantial evidence that fungi played a major role in helping plants move successfully onto land

With this fossil evidence, plus other previously found fossil fungi, it is estimated that the Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes diverged from Glomales about 600 to 620 million years ago.

Fungi 'Miscellanii'

The largest basidiocarp known is that of a Rigidioporus ulmarius growing in a shady corner of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, England. It is mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records (Matthews, 1994). On January 19, 1996 the basidiocarp had increased to 5 1/2 feet. The weight has been estimated at 625 pounds.

Other large basidiocarps are those of a puffball, almost nine feet in circumference in Canada weighing over 48 pounds and of a sulfur mushroom in England estimated at 100 pounds.

What are basidiocarps?

In fungi, a large sporophore, or fruiting body, in which sexually produced spores are formed on the surface of club-shaped structures (basidia). Basidiocarps are found among the members of the class Basidiomycetes, with the exception of the rust and smut fungi. The largest basidiocarps include giant puffballs (Calvatia gigantea), and those of bracket fungi (Polyporus squamosus).
from
SPORES ILLUSTRATED
a publication of the Connecticut Westchester Mycological Association

News from the Web

by Scott Bates

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

Not much to report from the web at this time.

But if January's gift of moisture is any indication of how the 2001 mushroom season will turn out - There will be plenty to write about in the coming month.

First fruiting report: Scott found some Ascomycetes (Geopora sp.-'Hole in the Ground' Fungus) growing in his side yard.

Please be sure and contact him at azmushclub@aol.com if your e-mail address has changed or is not listed on the website e-mail list.

Visit our website often. You will find club news, great mushroom related information and a e-mail list of all your fellow 'web-connected' club members.

The Great Fungal Vocabulary Quiz

by Rich Therrien

Radioactive Reindeer? Chernobyl and Mushrooms to blame!

Norway's reindeer underwent monitoring for radiation levels earlier this month -- an annual event since the infamous explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear facility 15 years ago.

This year, the Norwegian Reindeer Husbandry Administration gave passing marks to 20,000 reindeer, approximately one tenth of the country's total population. The beasts were deemed fit for human consumption without the need for special treatment.

The reindeer love to feast on mushrooms which are known to accumulate caesium released in the Chernobyl explosion. Authorities have calculated that at least 2.2 pounds (one kg) of the isotope fell on Norway as the huge radioactive cloud generated by the accident floated over Europe.

Although the Chernobyl reactor was permanently decommissioned this month, the Norwegian officials believe the average rates of contamination in the reindeer will remain high for the next 20 years.

The standard permissible radiation level in Norwegian livestock is five times higher than that of the European Union.

PUFFBALLS

(Lycoperdon spp. and Calvatia spp.)

Description:

Depending on size, puffballs have been mistaken at a distance for everything from golf balls to sheep.

These round or pear-shaped mushrooms are almost always whitish, tan or gray and have no stalks. The interior of a puffball is solid white at first, gradually turning yellow, then brown as the mushroom ages. Finally, the interior changes to a mass of dark, powdery spores,

Mature Size:

1" to 12" in diameter, sometimes larger.

When and Where:

Late summer and fall; in lawns, open woods, pastures, barren areas. On soil or decaying wood.

Cautions:

Each puffball should be sliced from top to bottom and the interior examined. It should be completely white and featureless inside, like a slice of white bread. There should be no trace of yellow or brown (which will spoil the flavor) and especially no sign of a developing mushroom with a stalk, gills .

Amanitas, when young, can resemble small puffballs, but cutting them open will quickly resolve the question.

Cooking Hints:

Remove outer skin if it is tough, then slice, dip in batter and pan fry in a mild, low cholesterol oil.

Bon Appetit!

For 'on-line' FUNGI Readers

Lichens are a successful alliance between a fungus and an alga. Each doing what it does best, and thriving as a result of a natural cooperation.  They live as one organism, both inhabiting the same body.

Want to know more?

Check out this website:

http://mgd.nacse.org/hyperSQL/lichenland/

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

Fungal Terminators: Biocontrol

We cannot survive without the plants that feed and clothe us. Crops planted closely together in fields allow the rapid spread of diseases and harmful insects.

Pesticides keep these organisms from destroying our crops. Chemical pesticides are most often used for controlling pests, but biological control (biocontrol) is less expensive and does not put any man-made chemicals into ecosystems.

Biocontrol is the use of one living organism to kill or control another.

Biocontrol artificially creates a disease epidemic that spreads rapidly but targets only harmful organisms. For example, an effective biocontrol of a plant disease would quickly kill the disease-causing organism without harming the plant.  The biocontrol organism would die off when its target was eliminated.

The species used for biocontrol are often parasites. Fungi that parasitize insects are a valuable weapon for biocontrol. Usually, the spores of a parasitic fungus are sprayed on the pest insects. The fungal attack takes place in three stages: entry into the host, growth, and spore production by the mature fungus. To view some pictures of the spore producing structures of Cordyceps species visit the website of the Joey Spatafora at Oregon State University.

***

In 1834, the Italian scientist Bassi found that an entomogenous fungus was killing valuable populations of silkworms. Now, years later, spores of this same fungus are being used as a mycoinsecticide to control Colorado potato beetles.

The spores of at least a half-dozen other fungi are being used to control spittlebugs, leaf hoppers, citrus rust mites and other insect pests.

***

Fungi are also used as biocontrols for other species of fungi which cause root diseases and plant rusts. The mycoherbicide Devine® contains the spores of a fungus that controls weeds.

Many more species of fungi are waiting to be discovered and tested for their use in biocontrol.

Pathogenic Fungi Fungal Villains

Pathogenic fungi cause disease by parasitizing their plant, animal or human host. In humans, some of these fungi are normally present on, or in, our bodies and only cause a problem when the bodily defenses that control them are weakened or damaged.

For example, Candida albicans, a yeast which normally lives harmlessly on our skin and mucus membranes, can, in certain conditions, grow out of control and cause the mouth disease "thrush" or other "yeast infections".

Endocarditis is a heart disease that can be caused by the filamentous fungus, Aspergillus endocarditis, and the yeast, Candida endocarditis. These are opportunistic pathogens. They exploit weaknesses in the body's defense mechanisms. These fungi enter the body through wounds, or the sharing of contaminated needles by drug users.

As organisms, Aspergillus endocarditis and Candida endocarditis do not resemble one another. Aspergillus endocarditis is a member of a large genus of filamentous fungi. Most Aspergillus are harmless, although other species have caused allergic reactions.

Candida endocarditis belongs to the group of fungi called yeasts. It is a very distant relative of a yeast in another genus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used in making bread. Candida endocarditis spreads to new places by being carried there.

The treatment of fungal endocarditis can require surgery to remove colonies of fungi from the heart, and anti-fungal drug therapy.

The Book Review Corner

North American Boletes: A Color Guide to the Fleshy Pored Mushrooms
by
Alan E. Besette, William C. Roody, and Arleen Besette

(Review by Scott Bates)

***

Attention Bolete lovers! A new book (published in 2000) devoted to this group of favored fungi is now available through the Syracuse University Press. The beautiful and copious color photographs in this tome are a feature, which immediately catches the reader's eye. In fact, I didn't look at a word until I had perused the hundreds of pictures of bolete species offered here.  When I finally got around to reading the text, I was surprised to find information and keys that are easily understood by the amateur mycologist.

If you are more technically inclined, the species descriptions offer up some things (mainly spore characteristics) that you can look at with your microscope.  If you are a novice, on the other hand, this book covers in detail the macroscopic features that are needed in order to use the keys. These keys are also conveniently broken into Eastern and Western regions.

Several hundreds of species from nineteen genera are covered including Boletus, Gastroboletus, Leccinum, Strobilomyces, Suillus, and Tylopilus.  A glossary and helpful appendixes are a plus, and also of interest are a few un-described species collected in Arizona.

There has been some criticism of this text, however it is mostly based on more technical details. For the average Boletivore, this book would make a very useful addition to your mushroom library (if you can justify paying the $95 price tag*).

As for me, this summer I will have to settle for trips to the ASU Science Library to use North American Boletes in sorting out my fleshy pored fungi. In the mean time, I will start saving my pennies in order to put this beautiful volume on my bookshelf some day.

For information about purchasing this text, contact the Syracuse University Press via their website at:

http://sumweb.syr.edu/su_press/

*This forever comparison-shopping editor (AT) has found the book at amazon.com for $76.00.

When in doubt throw it out!
The six smartest words to remember about collecting and eating wild mushrooms:

Though only a small percentage of North American mushrooms are deadly, your first mistake could be YOUR LAST!

For that reason, people must learn as much as they can about the interesting science of mycology, before experimenting with eating wild mushrooms.

Annual Christmas Party Report

reported by Dr. Leathers

Thirty-one members gathered for the annual feast and fun was had by all.
The following prizes were presented:

Jean Gula

"The most unusual art object"

Excellent compilation of the book of photographs detailing club activities over the years.

Prize: Red ceramic mushroom chimes

***

Mrs. Anton Stern

"The most natural art object"

Drawing of an elephant on the underside of a shelf fungus.

Prize: Brown ceramic chimes.

***

Unknown Member

"The most attractive art object"

Small ceramic Morel mushroom.

Prize: Morel salt & pepper shakers.

***

Dr. Leathers

"Special Recognition"

For loyal devotion and endless hours of service.

Prize: Two large ceramic soup mugs with mushroom motive.

***

Marilyn Bischoff

Deserves our gratitude for making the ceramic prizes, shopping for the holiday party and working hard for the club in general. Be sure and let her know that she is appreciated by all!

If you like good food and 'hobnobbing' with fellow 'fungiphilics' consider attending this annual club function.

From the Pothunter's Kitchen

Mushroom Gravy

1 medium onion
1 sweet green bell pepper
1 small carrot
1/2 lb. mushrooms
1/2 cup stock or bouillon
1 Tbsp dark soy sauce
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp cornstarch
freshly-ground black pepper

***

Chop the onion, deseed and chop the green pepper, peel and grate the carrot and slice the mushrooms.

Saute the vegetables in the stock, in a large frying pan, until most of the liquid is gone and the vegetables are soft. Mix the remaining ingredients together in a bowl, adding a bit of water if you wish (makes a thinner sauce) and add to the vegetables in the pan. Mix well and cook, stirring, over low heat for about a minute until thickened.

Serve over hot split baked potatoes (enough for about four potatoes) with a crisp green salad on the side.

Yukon Gold Potato and Wild Mushroom Gratin with Blue Cheese

Use fresh button mushrooms if wild mushrooms are hard to get; you will still have delicious results. Yukon Gold potatoes have a pale yellow color and a buttery taste that adds to the richness of this dish. Serves 6 to 8.

5 oz crumbled blue cheese (Stilton, Gorgonzola or Maytag blue) at room temperature
2 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tbsp butter
1 pound mixed fresh wild mushrooms
(chanterelle, morel, portobello, stemmed shiitake, oyster, crimini or hedgehog), sliced
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme or 3/4 tsp dried
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, very thinly sliced.

***

Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 400ºF. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Place cheese in medium bowl, add 1/2 cup of cream.

Using fork, mash mixture to chunky paste. Mix in I tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix in remaining 2 cups cream. Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium high heat.

Add mushrooms and herbs, saute until mushrooms are tender and liquid cooks away, about 8 minutes.

Arrange half of potatoes in bottom of prepared dish. Spoon 3/4 cup of the cheese sauce evenly over. Top with all of the mushroom mixture, 3/4 cup of cheese sauce, remaining potatoes. Top with remaining cheese sauce.

Cover dish with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until potatoes are tender, top is golden brown and sauce is thickened, about 30 minutes longer.

Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

Items of Interest

Gathered by Dr. Chester Leathers

***

No More Pink Socks!

From THE TOADSTOOL REVIEW, newsletter for the Minnesota Mycological Society, May 1999

The New York Times reports that scientists have found an enzyme that eliminates the problem of ruining a load of white clothes when a colored item sneaks into the wash.  The enzyme neutralizes the dye that has been released by the colored garment.  The enzyme attacks only the dyes that have leached into the wash water.  The source of this enzyme is an iron peroxidase found in Coprinus cinereus.  

First the enzyme had to be isolated and modified to withstand the higher temperatures found in wash water.  This task has been completed and the enzyme can now withstand the harsh conditions encounted in the wash.  Maybe soon whites and colored clothing can be washed together safely thanks to C. cinereus and the scientists at Nova Lab in Davis, CA. 

***

Fungus Substitute for Insulin

From the SPOREPRINT, Newsletter for the Long Island Mycological Club, Summer 1999

After screening more than 50,000 natural and synthetic compounds, researchers have selected a substance found in an African leaf fungus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its ability to activate insulin receptors. Known as Pseudomassaria, the fungus was found in an undetermined species of plant near Kinshasa. Because the compound is a non-peptide analogue of insulin, it is not degraded by digestive processes and can be taken orally. Preliminary trials with genetically engineered diabetic mice have been successful, but it will be years before it can be approved for humans.

***

TOBACCO FARMERS MAY SWITCH TO TRUFFLES

Condensed from an article by Randall Chase, Associated Press reported by the SPOREPRINT Journal of the Los Angeles Mycological Society, November 1999

The Perigord truffle has a long, rarefied history. Ancient Romans considered it an aphrodisiac. Gourmands through he ages have swooned over its flavor-enhancing powers.

Now, another chapter in the long history of the 'Black Diamond' may soon be written: alternative crop for tobacco farmers. Some think it is an extremely viable alternative, others are not so sure. The Perigord truffle is difficult to find in the wild where it grows on the roots of hazelnut and oak trees. It sells for more than $300.00 a pound.

Franklin Garland, who operates Garland Gourmet Mushrooms and Truffles out of Hills- borough, N.C. is conducting studies to find new ways to grow truffle-producing trees with an $18,000 federal grant.

He became interested in truffles about 20 years ago and planted 500 Hazelnut trees, but did not find a truffle until 12 years later. Now he harvests about 50 pounds a year with the help of his truffle sniffing dog. Yield is estimated at about $14,000 an acre - two to seven times better than tobacco.

***

THE FIRST US STAMP TO FEATURE A FUNGUS AS A MAIN ILLUSTRATION

Was issued on February 18, 1999 by the US Postal Service as a set of fifteen 33 cent stamps.

Reported by the SPORE PRINTS, Bulletin of the Puget Sound Mycological Society

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!

January's precipitation looks great! Lets hope for-

"All That The Rain (and snow) Promises, And More…."

David Arora

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.