NewsletterJune, 2001

Fungus Friends: Newsletter of the Illinois Mycological Association
June, 2001

Next IMA Meeting June 11, 2001
Summer Forays
May 7 Club meeting provides info on morel hot spots:
North Chicago Morel Foray
Directions to Tinley Creek Woods
Directions to Beck Lake Foray site
Telluride Mushroom Conference
Stash That Catch:
Next IMA meeting, Monday, June 11, 7:30 PM, Moravian Club House
Sex in Mushrooms and Separating Species in Oysters and False Oysters
Book Review by Ron Tracy : Lichens by William Purvis
2001 NAMA Foray to be held at Central Minnesota’s St. John’s University July 5-8

Next IMA Meeting

Monday, March 4th, 2002 7:30 PM

Our inaugural meeting of the year will feature a NAMA slide show "Mushrooms: Macro to Micro". Not your usual "pretty pictures of mushrooms" show, this show concentrates on the things that are bigger than the individual mushroom - - the relation of fungi to their environment - - and smaller - - "the inner workings of fungi and slime molds"

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Photo of Morchella esculenta by John Denk

To get us in the right spirit for the Spring season, the board will be serving up bowls of hot cream-of-morel soup, using the pound of (dried) morels that president Catherine Lambrecht bought online a little while ago.

The program will be at the North Park Village Nature Center (directions inside).

IMA April Meeting

Monday, April 1st, 2002 7:30 PM

And that's no joke!
Our April meeting will be our annual morel meeting, and the speaker will be Michael Kuo, of Charleston, IL. Mike runs one of the largest morel bulletin boards online, and has a new feature of maps of morel reports by week, so you can watch the season move north. Check out his site: Identifying Morels and False Morels

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Meeting Location: North Park Village Nature Center 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL

The North Park Village Nature Center is located just off the Edens Expressway (I-94). You will exit at Peterson and travel east to Pulaski. Go south (right turn) on Pulaski until you reach the North Park Village complex which will be on the east (left) side of the street. Once you have entered the complex, go all the way to the back (North Park Village is a large complex of buildings, with the Nature Center way in the interior of the block) to reach the meeting site.

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Club News:

New Officers

You may have noticed the names of three new people on the masthead: Therese Yee, Dann Wilke, and Pai-pai Cheng. These three people are jointly holding the offices of foray chair and secretary. They are new to both positions (Therese and Pai-pai only joined the club last year, in fact) and get full kudos for their courage in service of the club. You'll start to see their efforts here next month, when we announce the first forays of the year.

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Annual Morel Meeting

You may have noticed that we're having our annual morel meeting in April this year, instead of May. There are two reasons for this: one is that we had such an early season last year that by the time we had our morel meeting, most of the morels had come and gone. With this year's warm winter, we anticipate another early season, and we want to get the jump on the morels (rather than the other way around). The other, and even more important, reason is that our speaker, Michael Kuo, could only make it in April. In May, he's going to be on a mushroom trip to Michigan and Pennsylvania, the lucky dog.

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Those of you with access to the internet should check out Michael's morel site, Identifying Morels and False Morels. It contains a very active bulletin board with a nice FAQ at the bottom, pages showing the difference between morels and false morels and (as they say on late-night television) much much more.

He's also started a new site, mushroomexpert.com which has identification help and texts about mushrooming in general.

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Your Name Here

Yes, you (I'm talking to you) could be the editor of this wonderful newsletter. It's blindingly easy: people from all over the club send you tons of material that you simply paste into a document on your home computer. Sure, sometimes there isn't enough material; but then you just make stuff up! Sound too good to be true? But wait: there's more - - win the adulation of your friends, family, and the entire mushroom club for performing this essential service. To volunteer, email me or Catherine Lambrecht at our email addresses on the masthead (first page).

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Sound Bites

Morels in California

Dann Wilke (our new officer) passes along an emailed tip that morels are now out in Southern California. "Does anyone want to go to Southern Cal with me?" he asks.

Win a Truffle!

Marché aux Delices, a gourmet ingredients business based in New York City, has contributed several delicious recipes to this newsletter. Time will be a little tight by the time you receive this notice, but if you act fast, you can still send in several of your friends' emails in an attempt to win their (annual? hint, hint) truffle lottery. Their official announcement follows:

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Have you ever tasted a truffle…
Baked in a bladder
Folded into a frittata
Tucked into a ‘tater ?

Follow Marché aux Delices to the source of all that is fungus - - France. From the lowly button to the mighty truffle, we move mushrooms from field to table. To celebrate our guest appearance on this national food show (and to get you to talk it up among your friends), we’d like to send YOU on a fantastical fungus voyage. We’ll leave the truffle-sniffing pig on the farm, and send the winner a fresh, wildly aromatic black winter truffle.

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To win this chance at palate-seducing flavor, just send us the names and e-mail addresses of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who would like to receive our free monthly newsletter, M.A.D. About Mushrooms. [For those of you who are pun-impaired, I will point out that M.A.D. probably stands for Marché aux Delices. I do this in an attempt to foster a sense of outrage in my readers that will lead to someone else taking over this job. - - your guest editor] For every valid name and email address we receive (send to: staff@auxdelices.com), you get 2 entries in our truffle drawing. Place an order for $75 or more between now and February 25, and we’ll double the number of chances you get to win.

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The winner (chosen at random) gets a fresh winter black truffle, delivered to your door (no charges whatsoever).
1 GRAND PRIZE : a fresh, black winter truffle, nestled in its own basket with a recipe booklet.
1 WE-TRY-HARDER PRIZE: autographed copy of The Mushroom Lover’s Mushroom Cookbook and Primer, by Amy Farges. [Amy is the principal at M.A.D.]
1 MAYBE-NEXT-TIME PRIZE: love potion in a bottle, black truffle oil to drizzle over nuggets of lamb, swirl into sauces, dab behind the ears…

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The Details: Entries for the contest must be received by email by 10pm, eastern standard time, Monday, February 25. For every name we receive to be added to our monthly e-newsletter, the recipient will receive 2 entries into the drawing. The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, February 26, and will be contacted by email from Marché aux Delices.

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Send all entries to: staff@auxdelices.com. No telephone responses, please!
To order, visit our website at http://www.auxdelices.com or call us at 888-547-5471.

Italian Mushroom Club

Image of Abbé Giacomo Bresadola from Curtis Gates Lloyd (1898 - 1925) Mycological Notes

I recently got in contact (accidentally) with the Gruppo micologico G. Bresadola di Trento. I emailed Dominic, asking him whether the program online for their annual foray was for this year or last year. His reply to me went to them by accident, and in response they sent me a full-size color calendar featuring gorgeous photos of mushrooms, and a copy of their Bolettino, which is a color glossy magazine on the interesting fungi of the Trento region. Apparently, you get the calendar free when you join the club! Shows what you can do when you have over 1200 members. We'll bring the calendar to the March meeting, so you can all check it out. And check out the photo of their "patron saint", Giacomo Bresadola, on your membership renewal form! (last page) Bresadola was one of the important mycologists for the first few decades of the 20th century. He didn't name too many new things (see? you're liking him already), but he did a lot of good work on making the definitions of existing species correct and consistent. We could use several of him today...

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Foray News

None of our regular forays are set for the year (yet), but some of the biggies are:

The Botanic Gardens

Our annual show at the Botanic Gardens is already set for Sunday, September 8th. That means that our Deer Grove foray will be the day before, on Saturday the 7th (are you reading this, Harriet? Want to lead the foray again?). This foray and show is (are?) one of our major annual events, both in terms of exposure to the public and income.
Cathy reminds me that your membership in the IMA can also be leveraged if you want to become a member of the Botanic Gardens:

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When applying for membership at the Botanic Gardens, referring to yourselves as members of the Illinois Mycological Association allows you a $10 discount. If you are already a member, then remember this privilege the next time you renew your membership. Membership in the Botanic Gardens gets you free parking, discounts at their shops, and a 20% discount on School of the Botanic Garden classes.

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NAMA Annual Foray

The annual continent-wide foray of the North American Mycological Association is set for October 10-13th in Diamond Lake, Oregon. I know that not many of you are active in NAMA, but this looks to be a very edible-intensive foray: they are advertising the area, "beautiful Southern Oregon, near Crater Lake", as the "Land of the Matsutake and the Giant Golden Chanterelle". Now, that sounds downright appealing. Not much seems to be set yet besides the location, but if you have questions, you can email Planning Coordinator Lee Yamada at
yamacole@cruzio.com

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The resort's site is
http://www.diamondlake.net/
NAMA's page for the foray is
http://www.namyco.org/events/foray2002.html
I imagine that it will have more frequent updates on the foray than this newsletter will.

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More forays!

Other speakers for club meetings this Spring include John Shane (those of you who attended the joint meeting with the microscopic society heard him speak on his work with airborne mold spores) and Andy Methven from southern IL. We are also in the process of setting up a foray/lecture with Tom Volk for the fall. This may end up being a Friday + Saturday foray experience with Tom, who is one of the more interesting and knowledgeable mycologists around. Check out his famous website at one of the following URLs:http://www.wisc.edu/botany/fungi/volkmyco.html or
http://www.tomvolkfungi.net
Tom's long-awaited book will be out this Fall: over a thousand species, in color, with a CD-ROM with 5000 additional pictures. Now there's the modern approach to a field guide!

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More news as it breaks...

Book Review

by Ron Tracy

The winter months can be a difficult time for amateur mycologists who are often reduced to flipping through guidebooks, collecting mushroom stamps, or watching mold grow on refrigerator leftovers. A good book can provide a stimulating and pleasant alternative. In previous newsletters I have recommended In the Company of Mushrooms by Elio Schaechter (Harvard University Press, 1997) and Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds by George Hudler (Princeton University Press, 1998). They are still available and still good reads. Another very interesting book I can recommend is Morel Tales: The Culture of Mushrooming by Gary Fine (Harvard University Press, 1998). Fine is a member of the IMA but his book is largely based on his experiences with and study of the Minnesota Mycological Society in the 1990s. Morel Tales is different from the first two books mentioned above in that they are personal, anecdotal books for the general public. Morel Tales is a scholarly study of the interactions of people and nature that uses mushroomers as its main examples. General readers might find some of the more theoretical parts of the book a bit formidable but the fact remains this is a well-written book about people and how they interact with mushrooms and with each other and that makes it entirely different from any other mushroom book. Here are some examples from a book full of similar material.

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A chapter on "Meaningful Mushrooms" points out how mushrooming gives a focus to one's experience in nature and then goes on to a rather interesting account of mushroom morality! Anybody who has ever been on a foray will enjoy this section as mushroomers use factors such as edibility, rarity, and color to classify mushrooms as good or bad. The mycenas are tagged as "wood garbage" not worth the time to try to identify on most forays. Russulas and polypores also get the short end compared, for instance, to amanitas which are seen as bright, cheerful, stately and deadly. Fine mentions that the Minnesota group had a guy referred to as "the polypore man" because that was real focus of his and he was the only person in the group who had a serious interest in them. (Reminds one of Rael Bassan, the IMA's "slime mold man.") This same chapter deals with the taste of wild mushrooms. Are they really that good to eat or do they taste like anything else fried in butter? Fine concludes that the taste of wild mushrooms derives in part--a large part--from their "gatheredness," the actual hunting and gathering experience. One Minnesota M.S. member is quoted as saying "You can barbecue cardboard, if you put enough sauce on it."

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Photo of Russula compacta by Leon Shernoff

The chapter on "Meaningful Mushrooms" is typical in that it presents a theoretical framework which is reinforced with numerous quotes, quips, and stories from mushroomers, which means there is a lot of humor in the book. For example, in a section dealing with mushroom identification as a shared activity at a foray Fine writes: "At tables that sometimes resemble altars and at other times, checkout counters, the faithful line up and the chanting begins: Russula brevipes, Pseudocolus schellenbergiae...etc. The laying on of names is an old and complex ritual uttered in Latin and administered by those who descend from an ancient apostolic tradition."

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I hope that I'm managing to convey the impression that mushroomers can find a lot to enjoy, identify with, and think about in Morel Tales. There are interesting discussions on the hierarchy of identifiers in mushroom groups, the use of storytelling to contribute to group identify, the purposes of leisure organizations such as amateur mushroom groups and how those purposes are fulfilled (such as the "mycorrhizal" relationship between amateurs and professionals as they pursue their different goals), and the significance of secrecy in groups : "One should describe the find for the enjoyment of one's colleagues, but provide little information as to its location. Novices must learn not to share too much." Fine has a long and insightful account on the naming of mushrooms. Whereas birders have a set of common names to work with and don't have to stumble over all the Latin, most mushrooms don't have common names and what common names there are vary by region and country. The scientific identification process is rather torturous and Fine presents an interesting example of the identification of a new species and the differences between scientists who want to lump more mushrooms into fewer categories versus those who think mushrooms should be split into more categories. "I ask [mycologist Kent McKnight] how many species of morels there are. 'That's difficult to answser,' he says. 'In France, fifty. Here, maybe five or six.' 'More morels in France?' I wonder. 'No,' he answers, 'more mycologists working on them.' "

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Morel Tales is a serious sociological study and the first few pages of theory in the introduction might leave the social studies novice wondering whether this is really a book for him/her. The fact is most of the book consists of a thorough look at the world of mushrooming as experienced by members of the Minnesota Mycological Society. Members of the IMA will readily identify with and smile over many of the situations and problems described. The book uses the information Fine acquired from the Minnesota group to support an analysis of how people in groups relate to nature and each other, a process Fine terms "naturework." This is a book about naturework as experienced by a lively group of mushroomers and I found it to be very enjoyable and thought-provoking reading. Morel Tales is available from Amazon.com or have your favorite bookseller order it. (Amazon does have some cheaper used copies available).

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Recipe of the Month:

Beef and Portobello Stew

Whenever you think of mushroom cookery in connection with our club, you of course think of Dennis Bukala. Denny, who thrills all of us by appearing at club meetings in his tall white chef's hat, has contributed many recipes to the newsletter over the years, and I'm happy to announce that the board has finally let me publish one of them. He sums up the recipe with "Beef and full-flavored mushrooms were made for each other."

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Pot Roast With Wild Mushrooms

Serves 4
3 pounds Chuck roast, boneless
1/2 cup Flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 medium Onion, sliced
1 teaspoon Garlic, minced
4 ounces Mushrooms (Portobello, shitake or oyster) sliced
6 ounces Beef broth

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Heat the oil in a heavy Dutch-type oven (that has a lid). Season the beef, dredge in the flour and brown well on both sides. Add the onion, garlic and mushrooms. Pour on the broth and stir well. Cover and place in a 325 oven. Simmer until very tender (about 2 1/2 hours). Serve warm.

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More recipes?

In fact, we have quite an archive (backlog?) of recipes here at the-office-that-everyone-who-has-edited-the-newsletter-in-the-past-five-year-has-sent-all-their-leftover-material-to. Maybe we'll do a special culinary issue of the newsletter next month (in honor of morel season). It's not enough that you'll all have cabin fever from being cooped up all winter: we'll flood the newsletter with recipes that drive you wild with culinary longing and send you raving through the woods! If you would like to contribute to this statewide disaster, send your favorite recipes to me, at the email on the front page, so that I can send them all in a huge pile to the next person to take over this job. Bon appetit!

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THE ILLINOIS MYCOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

Image of Abbé Giacomo Bresadola from Curtis Gates Lloyd (1898 - 1925) Mycological Notes

Give Mr. G. Bresadola something to SMILE about: RENEW today!
Annual dues of $20. for individual and $25. for family membership payable January 1 entitle you to receive the IMA Newsletter - published nine times a year - and to participate in all IMA activities. IMA meets at 7:30 p.m. in the North Park Village Nature Center on the first Monday of each month except January, February and July. Please refer to your newsletter or phone for dates of the September meeting.

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Name(s):______________________________________ Telephone:________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

E-Mail: _________________________________________________________________

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Please check one: __ New __ Changed __ Unchanged. Please mail your check payable to the Illinois Mycological Association with this form to Jim Lamb, 20W075 98 Street, Lemont, IL 60439

IMA members may join the North American Mycological Association at a discount. To join or renew NAMA, enclose a separate check for $32 payable to NAMA.

IMA members also receive a $10 discount on Chicago Botanic Garden memberships. On your membership application or renewal form, simply mention you’re a member of the Illinois Mycological Association to qualify.

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Terrorist Attack

…..On Wednesday, September 12, 2001, just barely hours following the terrorist attack on our country, John Komosa shared these messages that he received. John tells us, “I just want to share with you words of caring from two mushroom friends that I have established via Internet—two people who I don’t even know that, while on another continent, took time out to encourage us and express solidarity in these hard times. I’m sending the texts in their original “English”. (Each message is followed by John’s comments).

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“Hello, I would like to express to You and to Your country my deepest solidarity after the terrible attacks. I hope, You personally or Your family were not injured by the attacks.
With best regards Anton Janecko”

Anton is a (mushroom) photographer from Slovakia.

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Dear Friend,
Sadness, sadness is everywhere here. Big tragedy was happened in U.S. We could not belief that this was happened in Your country. We are very, very sorry for thousands victims.
Anyway, those who are responsible for this, have to be punished and the end of the terorism must be put. Please deliver our sorrow for this tragedy to your frineds in U.S.

SincerelyYours

Lasko from Macedonia

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Lasko is a mushroom grower from Macedonia (former republic in Yugoslavia) who have their own hands full of war and suffering.

Upcoming Forays

Sunday, Sept. 30 at 10:00 AM Kettle Moraine South (Wisconsin) - joint foray IMA & WMS. See directions in the last issue. Central Wisconsin got a lot of moisture lately!
Friday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 noon Schiller Woods (Directions & map below) Collecting for next days microscopic class.
Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9:00 AM Bachelor Grove (see page 3 for directions and map)
Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10:00 AM Moraine Hills State Park (see page 3 for directions and map) Help us check out this new location! The far north and westside IMAers deserve one foray in “their-neck-of-the-woods”, no??!

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Schiller Woods Foray

Schiller Woods is located on Irving Park Road (4000 north) between Des Plaines River Road and Cumberland Road just east of O’Hare Field. We will meet at Schiller Woods South.

Directions: (note that North is to the left on this map)

From the south—Exit I-294 at O’Hare Field onto I-90 going towards Chicago, exit onto Des Plaines River Road south to Irving Park Road (2 miles) and turn left onto Irving Park Road. The Schiller Woods entrance is on the right just past the river.

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From the north—Exit I-294 at Irving Park Road and go east on Irving Park Road to the Schiller Woods entrance just east of Des Plaines River Road and the river. The entrance is on the right (south) side.

From Cumberland Avenue, north or south -
Proceed to Irving Park Road. Take Irving Park Road west to the Schiller Woods entrance.

McCrone Research Institute Meeting Directions

The McCrone Research Institute is at 2820 South Michigan Ave., telephone (312) 842-7100.
Take an expressway to downtown, and just drive down Michigan Ave.

Please note that the building is set back from the street. It is a low building with vines growing on it. The driveway is on the north side of the complex.
The meeting will last from 9am to noon.

Bachelor Grove Foray

Directions to Bachelor Grove (part of Tinley Creek Woods)
----------------------------
Take Harlem Ave. (Rt.43) south to 143rd St. Make a left turn (east)
and go a few blocks to 1st park entrance on left hand (north) side.

Moraine Hills Foray

Directions to Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry, IL

From Chicagoland area take Il Rt. 12 or 59 northwest.
Then at Waucanda, take Rt. 176 west.
Before the town of Holiday Hills, take River Rd. north into the State Park.
Take a right at the 1st park entrance.

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Moraine Hills State Park

From angling to hiking, from viewing rare plants to observing migratory waterfowl, Moraine Hills State Park offers you a recreational bounty. Located in the northeast corner of Illinois, the park is 3 miles south of McHenry. McHenry Dam, on the Fox River, is on the park's western border. Roughly half of the park's 1,690 acres is composed of wetlands and lakes.

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Moraine Hills State Park: History

Artifacts found on the park property indicate man's presence in the area within 1,000 years of the Wisconsin glacier's retreat. Seasonal habitation of the park area extends back to approximately 4,000 B.C. Native American tribes that occupied or passed through the area include the Potawatomi, Sauk, Fox and possibly the Miami and Winnebago. The Sauk and Fox tribes, originally from what is now Canada, claimed ownership of the land at the time of white settlement.

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Horace Long was the first known settler in the park area and occupied a portion on what is now the southeast corner of the park. Part of the stone foundation from his cabin still stands along the main park road.

In 1907, the original McHenry dam was built and a hand operated lock was constructed. The facilities were donated to the people of Illinois in 1924 and construction of a new concrete block dam began in 1934. In the early 1960's, a portion of the park property on the west bank of the Fox River was provided for the locks and managed by the Division of Water Resources.

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In 1939, the State of Illinois made the initial land acquisition of 15 acres for the McHenry Dam State Park, located on the east bank of the Fox River. Major acquisition of the Lake Defiance area began in 1971, and construction of park facilities took place in the spring of 1975. The present Moraine Hills opened in October 1976.

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Moraine Hills State Park: Geological History

Moraine Hills derives its name from a geologic formation known as a moraine, which is an accumulation of boulders, stones and other debris deposited by a glacier. As glacial ice melted here following the Wisconsin glaciation period, it left gravel-rich deposits called kames that make up the park's wooded hills and ridges.

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Moraine Hills State Park: Natural Features

A 48-acre lake near the center of the park was formed when a large portion of ice broke away from the main glacier and melted. Lake Defiance is gradually filling in with peat from its unstable shoreline. The lake is one of the few glacial lakes in Illinois that has remained largely undeveloped, maintaining a near-natural condition.

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Pike Marsh, a 115-acre area in the southeast corner of the park, is home to many rare plants. Its outer fen area (a very rare marsh wetland) includes Ohio goldenrod, Kalm's lobelia, dwarf birch, and hoary willow, while cattails and bulrushes grow in its interior. Pike Marsh also supports one of the state's largest known colonies of pitcher plants, which attract, trap, and digest insects.

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The 120-acre region known as Leatherleaf Bog is an excellent example of kettle-moraine topography. In geological terms, a kettle is a depression formed when an isolated block of glacial ice melts. The bog consists of a floating mat of sphagnum moss and leatherleaf surrounded by a moat of water. Marsh fern, marsh marigold, St. John's wort, and several species of willow put down roots here. Because both Pike Marsh and Leatherleaf Bog are dedicated nature preserves, they are protected by law.

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Moraine Hills offers three examples of wetland enhancements. Yellow-head, Black Tern, and Opossum Run marshes are samples of what can be accomplished with a little help from man.

Moraine Hills State Park: Boating and Fishing

Fishing is available on both Lake Defiance and on the Fox River. Regulations are posted at both sites. To help preserve the natural state of Lake Defiance, and because of the dangerous peat shoreline, bank fishing is prohibited except from designated piers along the boardwalk. Private watercraft are not allowed, but rental boats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and electric trolling motors may be used.

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The McHenry Dam area provides access to the Fox River, and a fishing pier accessible to disabled visitors is available. While trailers are prohibited in the park, private boats may be brought in by car top for use on the river.

Moraine Hills State Park: Biking, Hiking, Skiing

More than 10 miles of trails make Moraine Hills popular for hikers, skiers and cyclists, and provide one of the park's main recreation features. Three trails, surfaced with crushed limestone, wind their way through the park and offer you exceptional scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy the 2-mile Fox River Trail, the 3.2-mile Leatherleaf Bog Trail, and the 3.7-mile Lake Defiance Trail. To keep you on track, trails are color coded and one way.

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IMA Potluck Cook Off October 13th - New Date!

Last year 19 lucky IMA members joined together to eat Puffball Soup a la Yarroll, Sweet & Sour Cabbage, Pickled Puffball plus Rye Bread & Butter by Bill Lahvic; Sautéed Shiitake finished with Sherry by Larry Bailey; Pickled Mushrooms, Breaded Puffball, and Czech Dumplings, Eggs & Mushrooms by Tony and Carmella Jandacek, Mushroom Risotto with Puffball Croutons by Leon Shernoff, Blueberry Cake and Shiitake Mushrooms in Brown Sauce by Catherine Lambrecht, and Tiramisu brought by Dominic Saettonne. Now it is your chance to join the fun!

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Where: United Moravian Societies, 2140 Wesley, Berwyn (just off 22nd Street).
When: October 13th - You can bring a dish prepared at home, or you may come as early as 4 pm to get your wild mushrooms double-checked by our experts and prepare them in the on-site kitchen.
Dinner will be at 6 pm.

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Bemis Woods Foray Report

Foray Report for Bemis Woods, Sept. 1, 2001
Submitted by Eileen Schutte & Leon Shernoff

The following species were identified at a very enjoyable foray held at Bemis Woods. Although Leon was not able to attend he examined as many saved specimens as possible and noted that “All in all, a very good percentage of correct identifications by the crew at the foray”. He also noted that “most of the things that they couldn’t identify are either things that I also can’t identify (without a lot of work) or things that I’m seeing for the first time. Special thanks to Harriet Yarroll for pointing out the blue staining reaction that allowed the identification of Tyromyces caesius.” Leon adds that several people also collected a “cup thingy that we get on oak leaves that’s shaped and colored like blueberry flowers but a little smaller. This is the third time we’ve gotten it, and the second collection that I have. I’m calling it a thingy because there’s some doubt as to whether it’s a fungus or not. Any input?”

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Photo of Amanita flavorubescens by John Denk

Abortiporus biennis
Agaricus sp.
Amanita flavorubescens
Amanita muscaria formosa
Amanita rubescens
Amanita vaginata

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Photo of Boletus campestris by John Denk

Ascocoryne sp.
Auricularia auricula
Boletus campestris
Boletus subfraternus

Photo of Calvatia gigantea by John Denk

Calvatia gigantea
Cantharellus cibarius
Cortinarius violaceus
Crepidotus mollis
Entoloma sp.

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Photo of Ganoderma lucidum by John Denk

Favolus alveolaris
Ganoderma applanatum
Ganoderma lucidum
Gyrodon merulioides
Gyroporus castaneus

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Image of Helvella lacunosa from Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck (1816 - 1817) Das System der Pilze und Schwämme

Helvella lacunosa
Hericium coralloides Hypomyces chrysospermus
Hypomyces hyalinus

Photo of Laccaria ochropurpurea by Leon Shernoff

Laccaria ochropurpurea
Lactarius piperatus
Lactarius sp.
Laetiporus sulphureus
Lepiota acutesquamosa

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Photo of Lycoperdon echinatum by John Denk

Lepiota cristata
Lepiota rubrotincta
Leptonia sp.
Leucopaxillus albissimus
Lycoperdon echinatum

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Photo of Phellinus gilvus by John Denk

Lycoperdon perlatum
Mutinus elegans
Mycena haematopus
Nolanea
Peziza Phellinus gilvus

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Image of Russula virescens from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Polyporus radicatus
Polyporus squamosus
Polyporus varius
Psathyrella candolleana
Psathyrella velutina
Russula virescens

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Image of Scleroderma citrinum from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Sarcoscypha occidentalis
Scleroderma areolatum
Scleroderma cepa
Scleroderma citrinum

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Photo of Thelephora palmata by John Denk

Spinellus fusiger (on Mycena haematopus)
Stereum complicatum
Stereum ostrea
Tarzetta cupularis
Thelephora palmata

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Photo of Trametes versicolor by John Denk

Trametes conchifer
Trametes hirsuta
Trametes versicolor
Tremella mesenterica
Tremellodendron pallidum
Tyromyces caesius

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Deer Grove West Foray Report

Submitted by La Monte H. P. Yarroll
With additions & corrections by Dr. Patrick Leacock

Our annual foray at Deer Grove in preparation for our show at the Chicago Botanic Garden went nicely. We found over 105 species including some nice eye-catchers like Laetiporus cincinnatus (a sulphur-shelf look-alike), Omphalotus olearius (Jack-O-Lantern) and a couple very pretty examples of the unfamiliar phylum Zygomycota. In celebration of her birthday, Harriet Yarroll led this foray (with a little help from her Dad and Eileen Schutte). Leon Shernoff collected a small shopping-bag full of Entoloma abortivum for his evening snack. We had 16 people gathering specimens for the show. If anybody finds the attendance list in their collection baskets, Harriet's Dad would like his notebook back :-). Leon Shernoff kept a small army of label writers busy with identifications.

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A few of us then went to the East end of Deer Grove West looking for more Calvatia gigantea. We found a very mature 3 foot C. gigantea (sorry, no cameras in the group), a nice fruiting of Boletus campestris, a stark white viscid Hygrophorus sp. (like H. eburneus? but the stalk was not viscid), and some unidentified earthstars. La Monte took a few of the unknown specimens which did not make the cut for the Botanic Garden's show and identified six additional species. Leon, Eileen, and others brought the identified and unidentified fungi to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Pat Leacock met them there and made additional identifications.

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Here is the total list for Deer Grove - More than 105 species found.

Deer Grove Species: ASCOMYCOTA (6)

Photo of Aleuria aurantia by John Denk

Aleuria aurantia
Bisporella citrina
Hypomyces hyalinus
Peziza sp.
Xylaria longipes (These are huge--easily 10cm long!)
Unknown Hypocreales parasite on unknown fungus on wood

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Deer Grove Species: BASIDIOMYCOTA - - Gilled mushrooms and boletes (54)

Photo of Amanita abrupta by John Denk

Agaricus cf. placomyces
Amanita abrupta
Amanita flavorubescens
Amanita GN274
Amanita virginiana
Amanita bisporigera

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Photo of Armillaria mellea by John Denk

Armillaria mellea
Boletus campestris
Coprinus sp.
Cortinarius aff. alboviolaceus
Cortinarius about 3 spp.

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Photo of Cortinarius JD1 by John Denk

Crepidotus applanatus
Crepidotus crocophyllus
Entoloma abortivum on Armillaria mellea
Entoloma sp. (large)
Gymnopilus penetrans
Gymnopilus sapineus

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Image of Inocybe pyriodora from Jean Louis Émile Boudier (1904 - 1909) Icones mycologicae ou iconographie des champignons de France, principalement Discomycètes

Gyrodon merulioides
Hygrocybe cf. acutoconica
Hygrophorus sp.
Inocybe caesariata
Inocybe pyriodora
Inocybe rimosa (= Inocybe fastigiata)

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Image of Lactarius glaucescens from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Laccaria ochropurpurea
Laccaria cf. ohiensis
Lactarius glaucescens
Lactarius hygrophoroides
Lactarius luteolus
Lactarius maculatus
Lactarius cf. mutabilis

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Photo of Lactarius psammicola by John Denk

Lactarius psammicola
Lactarius quietus
Lactarius subvellereus var. subdistans
Lepiota americana
Lepiota procera

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Image of Mycena galericulata from Gotthold Hahn (1883) Der Pilz-Sammler oder Anleitung zur Kenntnis der wichtigsten Pilze Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Laender

Mycena galericulata / Mycena inclinata
Mycena haematopus
Mycena sp. (Chlorine odor)
Omphalotus olearius Paragyrodon sphaerosporus

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Photo of Pholiota albocrenulata by John Denk

Pholiota albocrenulata
Pluteus cervinus
Psathyrella candolleana
Psathyrella velutina
Russula crustosa
Russula cyanoxantha

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Image of Russula foetentula from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Russula densifolia
Russula foetentula
Russula pectinatoides
Russula variata
Russula many unknown species

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Image of Strobilomyces floccopus from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Strobilomyces floccopus Tricholoma sp. (grey, with pinkish purple mycelium)

Deer Grove Species: BASIDIOMYCOTA - - Polypores, teeth fungi, and crust fungi (33)

Photo of Ganoderma lucidum by John Denk

Abortiporus biennis (= Heteroporus biennis)
Gloeoporus dichrous
Climacodon septentrionale
Daedaleopsis confragosa (Thin-Walled Maze Polypore)
Ganoderma applanatum (Artist's conk)
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingh Chi)
Grifola frondosa (alien)

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Photo of Laetiporus cincinnatus by John Denk

Hapalopilus nidulans
Hydnum repandum (Sweet Tooth) (alien)
Irpex lacteus (Milk-tooth polypore)
Laetiporus cincinnatus (Sulphur Shelf look-alike)

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Photo of Laetiporus sulphureus by John Denk

Laetiporus sulphureus (Sulphur Shelf) Phellinus gilvus(Oak Conk)
Phellinus sp. Phlebia tremellosa
Favolus alveolaris (= Polyporus alveolaris)
Polyporus elegans
Polyporus radicatus

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Photo of Stereum ostrea by John Denk

Polyporus squamosus (Dryad's saddle)
Porodisculus pendulus
Schizophyllum commune
Stereum complicatum(orange)
Stereum ostrea (=S. fasciatum, =S. lobatum)
Thelephora palmata
Trametes conchifer

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Photo of Trametes versicolor by John Denk

Trametes hirsuta (Hairy Turkey-tail)
Trametes versicolor (Turkey-tail)
Trichaptum biforme
Tyromyces caesius (Blue-staining Cheese Polypore)
Tyromyces chioneus (Common Cheese Polypore)
Tyromyces fragilis (Rusty Cheese Polypore)
Sebacina incrustans

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Chanterelles and Coral fungi (1)

Image of Ramaria from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Ramaria sp. (Yellow)

Puffballs and other gasteromycetes (8)

Photo of Lycoperdon echinatum by John Denk

Calvatia gigantea
Cyathus striatus
Lycoperdon echinatum
Lycoperdon perlatum (Common Puffball)
Lycoperdon pyriforme (Pear-shaped Puffball) Scleroderma areolatum
Scleroderma cepa Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earthball)

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Jelly fungi (2)

Photo of Tremellodendron pallidum by John Denk

Tremella reticulata
Tremellodendron pallidum

ZYGOMYCOTA (1)

Photo of Spinellus fusiger by John Denk

Spinellus fusiger on Mycena haematopus

[Spinellus fusiger is one of a group of fungi parasitic on other mushrooms, whose fruiting bodies consist of long hairs with a tiny dark glob of spores at the end. You can see both the hairs (they're silvery here; different colored in other genera) and the globs, but it's hard to see them connected. - L. S.]

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Joint Meeting with the Illinois Microscopic Society — October 13th — 9 AM to Noon

Image of Inocybe from Jean Louis Émile Boudier (1904 - 1909) Icones mycologicae ou iconographie des champignons de France, principalement Discomycètes

IMA members love their fungi, the Microscopic Society loves their microscopes. Together we can share our enthusiasm and knowledge for our specialized interests.
Greg Mueller and Patrick Leacock will present, with the Microscopic Society’s Bill Mikuska, basic microscopic techniques for identifying fungi. Chemical tests will be made on fungi to reveal various characteristics which simplify identification in fungi difficult to distinguish visually.

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Image of Agaricaceae from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

We expect this meeting to be a first-of rather than a one-of and hope you will bring fresh specimens collected in your favorite location before the meeting. There will be no IMA organized foray before this event, though we hope you will bring fresh specimens as well as dried. We would be especially pleased to see Agaricus, Amanita, Boletaceae, Lactarius, Lepiota and Russula -- and a spore print would be very nice addition ... though any fresh material will be appreciated.

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Where: McCrone Research Institute, 2820 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Tel: 312-842-7100 --- Please note this building is set back from the street. It is a low building with vines growing on it. The driveway is on the north side of the complex.
When: October 13th, 9 am to Noon

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Escape via mushrooms

Thanks to John Komosa for passing along this wonderful tale related by one of his Internet “friends”, Violet

Image of Leccinum aurantiacum from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Mushroom hunting has been a pastime in my family for generations. I remember, as a little girl, it being a wonderful time that the whole family spent together, traipsing slowly through the woods with baskets, sharing stories, picking berries and just plain being a family....not to mention the great exercise we all got. I was about 3-4 then....and my brother would slowly maneuver me to an area he had already spotted a leccinum or edulis in and let me "discover" it for myself. It taught me to look for specific kinds of woods and landscape for individual species. Often times the REAL treat at dinner was the mushroom and onion sauce from the day's foray....not the fresh chicken or sausage.

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Now, I'm gonna try to tell this story as best as I remember....it's a long one.

My grandfather told me the story of when my great grandfather and the entire family were prisoners of war in the gold mines of Siberia, Russia during WWII.

Life was grim. They lived in a 10 X 10 hole dug in the ground and were given a slice of bread per day to eat. During the summer they foraged for berries, greens and mushrooms as a source of food...those who knew how that is. Those from upper-class families did not know how to survive off of the earth. My family watched their friends and neighbors slowly dying around them...sometimes entire families.... from sickness, fatigue and starvation.

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In their 6th year, my great-grandfather decided to escape in early spring with the entire family... better to die trying than not try at all...he said. They traveled for 4 weeks through the Siberian tundra. In the middle of their journey, heavy snow fell and covered any and all means of sustenance. Starvation was on everyone's mind as they only had food for 2 or 3 more days...the cold weather would require more food. Grandpa told me how they could hear wolves in the background at night as if they were just
waiting for them to perish.

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Image of Boletus edulis from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

As they huddled together under a makeshift branch tent, my grandmother took out a bag of dried mushrooms and herbs she'd been secretly gathering in the hems of her clothing and made them a pot (helmet) of warm mushroom soup which they dined on until they were able to travel again. She said they were "prawdziwki"...which are boletus edulis. She had gathered them on the way to and from the mines during the summer and fall so she had quite a big batch. She also dried some berries, which were a great source of much needed vitamins for them. They survived solely on the dried mushrooms, fruits and herbs.

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Everyone made it across the border....5 adults and 9 children.... one of them being my father.

It was the most wonderful story of survival I had ever heard....most importantly, those mushrooms may have had a lot to do with my very existence.

My grandmother passed away last year at 91 and my grandfather is still alive today...at 91... and still goes on forays with us whenever we visit.

IMA End of the Season Dinner

at the Bohemian Crystal
November 18th Noon to 4 PM

Bread Dumplings, Roast Duck, Pork Tenderloin, Mushroom Soup, Sweet Sauerkraut, Regular Sauerkraut and much more. Hmmmm, the mouth must be watering awaiting our annual feast. Mark your calendars and put aside interesting mushroom collectibles which you may want to donate for our raffle. Last year, someone brought an apple pie! We will have a raffle and party favors for everyone attending.
Time: Noon - Cash Bar, 1 PM: Lunch
Where: Bohemiam Crystal Restaurant, Cost: $16. per person paid by check.
Get your reservation in early!

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Our Urban Naturalist

The July-September 2001 issue of "Urban Naturalist," a publication of the Chicago Department of Environment, includes a full page illustrated article about IMA member and former program chairperson, Rael Bassan. The article highlights Rael's volunteer work at the North Park Village Nature Center. The article notes that Rael is the creator of the center's fungariums (but they do not note that he is the creator of the term "fungarium"). "His fungariums display many types of fungus within an aquarium, artfully arranged to highlight their natural beauty. They are enhanced with identification and natural history information about several of the species within the tank. Rael's displays have added a new dimension to our exhibits by highlighting an often overlooked part of nature." The article includes a short interview with Rael and notes he is sponsoring a Fungus Family Fun Fair at the nature center (5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago) on September 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See page 4 for more details of this upcoming event.

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Upcoming Forays

Sat, Sept. 15, 9:00 AM Deer Grove, We will be picking fresh specimens for the IMA mushroom exhibit the next day (Sept. 16) at the Botanic Gardens...so come out in force, and let’s get a lot!
Sun, Sept. 30, 10:00 AM Kettle Moraine South (Wisconsin) - joint foray IMA & WMS See page 3 for map and details.

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Foray Report: Kankakee State Park, July 29, 2001

Photo of Boletus fraternus by John Denk

Submitted by Leon Shernoff

Half a dozen IMAers turned out for the July 29th foray at Kankakee and were rewarded with plenty of interesting fungi. Boletes are always a nice find, and three different species were there, in quantity: a few Gyroporus castaneus (the Chestnut bolete) were still coming up, although a few of them had already succumbed to the golden Hypomyces, Hypomyces chrysospermus. We also found quite a few Boletus fraternus, and many Boletus cf. innixus . All rather small species, but tasty.

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Photo of Stemonitis fusca by John Denk

There were also plenty of small interesting things to look at (this habitat seems to emphasize the small fungi): the hairy bird's nest Cyathus striatus, the picturesque slime mold Stemonitis fusca, innumerable fruitings of Marasmius capillaris and Marasmius rotula (including one population on an acorn cap), and "the white jelly coral", Tremellodendron pallidum. For those of you who don't know this species, it's a good one to learn, because it's quite common (I've found it several times in the last year) and then you can amaze your friends. Basically, it looks like an all-white coral fungus, except that the branches are flattened and often partly translucent. The fruiting body as a whole is tough (not fleshy as in the real coral mushrooms) and just dries up in age, becoming very hard (coral mushrooms rot, or are eaten by insects). Tremellodendron pallidum is a jelly fungus and, given the behavior of other jelly fungi, I'd expect that in the next rain it would rehydrate its shrivelled fruiting body and start producing spores again. But I don't know that anyone has checked up on it to see if it does.

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Bronze Inocybe

As usual, we also found some of "the usual suspects", and some continuing puzzles. We found, for instance, the ubiquitous Inocybe fastigiata, but we also found a different Inocybe with a deep bronze-colored cap that has successfully resisted identification. We also found Gymnopus dryophilus (=Collybia dryophila), Lycoperdon perlatum, Sebacina incrustans and a fresh, out-of-season Polyporus arcularius.

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Also, just coming into the park, some of us spotted (but others of us, including yours truly, walked right by) a huge swath of forest floor, about six feet by three feet, completely covered with a fruiting of Coprinus variegatus. This is a banner year for Coprinus variegatus, which can be recognized by the brown rhizomorphs and undiss olved patches and scraps of tissue that remain stuck to the cap while the rest of it is turning to ink - - we also found quite a bit of it at Beck Lake, and the NAMA foray in July turned up a lot of it likewise. This patch was mostly in the final stages of "black slime on a stick", but enough immature specimens remained to make an identification.

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When we emerged from the forest, the day had turned into a scorcher, but we managed to get the last picnic table in shade to do our identifications, while sucking down sodas from the concession. When we left, the adjacent table of people immediately seized our spot.

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2. Fungus Family Fun Fair Needs Your Help

Help Wanted: Fun Gals, Fun Guys, or budding Mushroomers. Assistance is needed for Fungus Family Fun Fair (see below) to answer attendees questions and facilitate their explorations. Two years ago, John Denk, and last year Ron Tracy helped. Contact Rael Bassan, rael@ripco.com, (773) 907-1465 (Note: Phone # in Directory is inaccurate).

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Fungus Family Fun Fair Sunday, September 23, 11AM - 3PM. Presentation at 1PM, followed by a fungal walk in the preserve. Featuring a multimedia interpretive display; fresh and dried specimens; fungaria, and an emerging mushroom garden. Explore the fun aspects of fungi. North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, 60646. For pre-registration or to request a Newsletter / Program Calendar, call (312)-744-5472. This event is intended for Adults and families with children ages six and older.

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On finding a mushroom...

Foray Report: Green Valley Forest Preserve, August 18, 2001

Submitted by Ralph Rucinski and Leon Shernoff

Twelve seemingly intelligent IMA members spent the day at Green Valley Forest Preserve walking in the rain, transfixed on the forest floor. In spite of the days’ steady rain, the storms of the previous week had bypassed this area resulting in relatively dry conditions. Nonetheless, we were able to collect the following species. (Identification of the following species was made by Leon Shernoff at the table following the foray):

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Photo of Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa by John Denk

Boletus chrysenteron
Calocera cornea
Calocera viscosa
Cantharellus cibarius
Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa
Crucibulum laeve

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Image of Crucibulum laeve from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Crucibulum laeve
Cyathus striatus
Dacrymyces palmatus
Dacryopinax spathularia
Hypomyces hyalinus
Inocybe
Lactarius subvellereus
Lactarius volemus

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Image of Marasmius rotula from Gotthold Hahn (1883) Der Pilz-Sammler oder Anleitung zur Kenntnis der wichtigsten Pilze Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Laender

Marasmiellus nigripes
Marasmius rotula
Marasmius siccus
Phellinus gilvus
Pluteus cervinus
Polyporus varius

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Image of Russula foetentula from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Russula foetentula
Russula xerampelina (note: I think that this was actually Russula purpurata - - Leon Shernoff)
Schizophyllum commune
Scleroderma areolatum
Sebacina incrustans

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Photo of Stereum ostrea by John Denk

Stereum ostrea
Trametes hirsuta
Trametes versicolor
Trichaptum sp.
Xylaria hypoxylon

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Following the foray, Leon Shernoff did further evaluation of some specimens and added these comments:

Photo of Russula rugosulopuncta var. CH1 by John Denk

There was a Russula with a very convoluted cap and grossly tuberculate-striate margin that John Denk photographed last year and which we collected this Monday at St. Mihiel. There were three collections of it at Greene Valley. It doesn't key out; I'm provisionally calling it Russula CH1 rugosulopuncta. (I've started giving my "numbered" names descriptive epithets, too; otherwise, even with just a few, I totally lose track of which is which) Especially interesting was a collection of smallish, gracile, flat-topped Russulas which *really* didn't key out in Ray Fatto's key (it's possible to pretend that the big, wrinkly-bumpy ones sort of do; but there's nothing even vaguely close to these smaller ones) which I think are younger specimens of the same thing: the colors, taste, gills with very shallow cross-veins, spore color and peeling match, and they have the same macrochemical reactions: brownish with FeSO4, pileus pi ment dissolving and running with KOH, and the *edge* of the gills amyloid (go figure!). So it looks like we have a nice age range now for this species.

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The other mystery Russulas were something close to Russula brunneola, something almost like Russula borealis, and the blackening ones, which I'm calling Russula densifolia.

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We found three Amanitas, section Amidella, which seem to all be the same thing. They, too, had a strange macrochemical reaction, the pileipellis staining dark greyish green (the "Russula xerampelina reaction") with FeSO4. I wonder what Rod will make of that.

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The greenish, very slimy mushrooms on wood turn out to be Pholiota graveolens (very close to P. spumosa, but with a spicy odor that is close to anise for me).

We also found two small puffballs with a mold growing on them. The mold had started to turn from white to turquoise by the time we got things sorted, and there were opinions that it was staining. The mold turned deep emerald green overnight, so I think it was just ripening its spores at an express rate (I could be wrong on this). The national Hypomyces key at http://nt.ars-grin.gov/taxadescriptions/hypomyces/ doesn't list any Hypomyces with puffball hosts, so I think we'll just get told that it's a Penicillium.

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The coralloid tremella is Tremella reticulata. I didn't recognize it at first, because it was so small. The terrestrial daedalioid polypore is almost certainly Abortiporus biennis. There was a bronze-colored Inocybe that I haven't identified but I think is the same as the one from Kankakee three weeks ago; and there was another brown-spored mushroom that is probably an unusually large and robust Inocybe but that's about as far as I'll go.

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Oh! And there was a very small rounded bolete, with a tan cap with minute darker brown scales or fibrils. It had yellow pores and a red stalk. Everything stained blue quickly, darkening to black, and the context stained red (darkening to maroon) with KOH. It had a strong smell that was variously described as sweet or the smell of drying latex paint. I was unable to identify this mushroom.

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This should bring us up to around 40 species...

A note from our foray chairman

Every year, we try to join the Wisconsin Mycological Society on one of their forays, usually at Kettle Moraine State Forest (South), the closest major forest to Illinois. This year, we are being invited again for a joint venture there.

From the Chicagoland area, take I-94 north to Wisconsin route 20 and west to Beaumont. Once past Waterford, take route 83 north into Mukwonago. From there, take county highway NN west to Eagle.

If you want, you can take IL route 12 into Wisconsin and then follow Wisconsin route 67 into Eagle.

From Eagle, take highway 59 west past county highway N to county highway S (just past an auto reclamation center). Take highway S south to the railroad crossing. Park on the side of the road, by the railroad tracks.

On Finding a Mushroom... By Wesley Dingman

One day I picked a mushroom
that was growing in my yard.
I showed it to my mother
and she scolded me so hard

for touching things I did not know
that might have made me ill.
But my interest was not restrained
and would not leave me still.

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So I searched my local library
and there I found some books
which told me all about the fungi
that grow most anywhere one looks.

Some grow on soil, on food or feet,
while others favor rotting trees.
Some are deadly, not to eat,
but others help in making cheese.

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I also learned this vital fact
the tiny fungi known as mold
help digest dead plants and animals
to feed new life that springs from old.
And did you know that some make drugs which help us fight infection?
While others are used to make our breads and wines perfection.

And here's one more delightful fact,
some 'shrooms yield brilliant dyes,
which brightly color all your yarns
with many hues to please your eyes.

So now my mother joins me
and we each other teach
the fungi's colors, shapes and sizes
as we learn the names of each.

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Smokey Marinated Mushrooms

A little time on the grill adds a fresh twist to marinated mushrooms

1 pound large firm mushrooms such as crimini
1 cup balsamic vinegar
4 tbs. Olive oil
1 small shallot, minced
1 tbs. Kosher salt
1 tsp ground pepper

2 to 3 green onions, sliced (added at the end )

Clean mushrooms well and pat dry. Mix remaining ingredients well and pour over mushrooms. Marinate 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally.

With slotted spoon, drain mushrooms reserving marinade. Place on medium-hot grill over indirect heat; smoky wood chips are a nice addition but optional. Remove from heat once mushrooms begin to brown. Transfer to a cookie sheet and place in 3750 oven 8-10 minutes. Cool and return to marinade. Add green onions and additional salt and pepper to taste. These will last at least 1 week in refrigerator and improve with age. These are best served at room temperature.

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Telephone Network

Would you like to join our telephone network?
Please let us know what you think…….

Forays can be an “iffy” proposition. Mother Nature may not send us enough rain to make a foray practical. Conflicts or more promising locations may arise. With this in mind we are seeking ways to establish a telephone network whereby members can contact each other should the need arise to cancel or relocate a planned foray. If you would like to be a part of the group please let us know. If enough positive feedback is received we will establish a plan and let you know “who calls who”. If you are relatively certain you will never attend a foray, we would like to know that too.

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If you would like to be included in our calling chain please contact your Foray Chairman, John Komosa, or the newsletter editor, Ralph Rucinski. Street addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers for both of them are listed on the first page of your newsletter.

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Next IMA Meeting Monday, August 13, 2001 7:30 PM

(Please note change of date:
this is the second Monday)
Our guest speaker will be Walt Sundberg, of the University of Illinois at Carbondale. He will be speaking on “Armchair Mycology”; mycological activities that you can pursue at home during the winter or other times when the collecting isn’t so good.

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July and August Forays

Sun. July 29, 10:00 AM Notice of change of location for the next foray. The Indiana Dunes foray originally scheduled for July 29th has been moved to the main entrance of Kankakee State Park on the same date. It was felt that due to dry conditions at this point in time, Kankakee would meet with more success. Of course, this should bring cloud bursts to the Dunes area. Map and details page 3
Sat. Aug 18, 9:00 AM Greene Valley Forest Preserve, map and details page 8
Sat. Sept. 1, 9:00 AM Bemis Woods, map and details page 10

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Foray Reports

1. Sunday, May 6, 2001 Little Red Schoolhouse Foray

Report submitted by John Komosa

Eight IMA members met at the main entrance to the Little Red Schoolhouse at 9 AM. The leader had scouted out an alternate site that turned out to be picked clean on Saturday and done in by the warm temperatures. He quickly found 5 morels (a bad omen, considered by many old and grizzled shroomers, when you find some as soon as you put your foot into the woods!?)

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But we, modern weekend warriors, don't believe in old wives’ tales and bad omens.... we drove to the spot and fanned out with enthusiasm reflected in our steps! We hunted the higher areas and the bottom of the gorge of the stream that ran through there with the same results! Nada, nichts, zero, goose egg! Too dry and not enough of dying elms.

And then there is that old bad omen of finding some too quickly..…

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All in all we found 3 more morels: 2 very small and dried out and 1 big fresh luscious yellow that fell out of somebody else's basket the day before in a spot where we counted dozens of cut stems!

Photo of Coprinus by Bob Svidron

So the total count was: 6 Morchella esculenta and 2 blacks(?). In addition Leon Shernoff identified Polyporus squamosus, Polyporus varius, Urnula craterium, Ganoderma applanatum, a tiny Coprinus group (yes, those are car keys next to them), and Phellinus sp.

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We did not lose anybody this time, although some of us had to ask for directions back to the cars. The cherry topping, on this Sunday, turned out to be a good old fashioned Chicago style hot dog and Polish sausage with great fries and pineapple shake at a local hot dog stand enjoyed by the whole group!

So the 2001 Little Red Schoolhouse morel foray had an appetizing ending!

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2. May 18 and 19, 2001 Wisconsin Dells Morel Weekend Getaway

Report submitted by Leon Shernoff

A dozen (more or less) IMA members luxuriated in a weekend mushroom vacation, through the hospitality of club member Alan Lawrence, who generously let us stay in his two rental cottages on Lake Redstone at cost. The dedicated foragers managed four forays over a two-day period, and cooked up a big batch of edibles at the potluck on Saturday night. The champion forager was Mary Lou Banaczek, who found about 35 morels at Hemlock County Park on Saturday, and didn't let any of us forget it. Resting on her laurels, she and Steve were content to spend the rest of the afternoon pulling fish out of the lake, much to the fascination of the four children, who didn't seem to have ever seen this before. There were three family groups: La Monte, Eve, Harriet, Skyler, and Madeleine Yarroll; Steve and Mary Lou Banaczek; and Cathy Lambrecht, Cathy's mom, and Cathy's niece Elizabeth. The kids (ages 3-11) livened things up a great deal.

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Photo of Mycena leaiana by Ann Lawrence

Most of the IMA-ers arrived late Friday night, which made the hairpins in the Wisconsin hills all the more exciting. Breakfasts worked out really well: we had all brought different sorts of stuff and shared, so we all got to choose from a nice variety of food. Saturday morning, we then went over to the Lawrences' for the coffee necessary to get us into the woods after our late arrival the night before. The Lawrences have built a beautiful home on a ridge that overlooks the little town in one direction, forest and farmland in the other. They also have a nice set of bluffs (in the "forest" direction) where we collected after coffee. The intensively vertical landscape made foraying a fairly athletic endeavor, but we emerged with three morels and a small pile of interesting other species. Two species that turned out to be common throughout the weekend were the strange polypore Bjerkandera adusta, which has a smoky-gray pore surface, and the bright orange (with scarlet gill edges) Mycena leaiana, and we found them both at Redstone Heights.

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Photo of Discina perlata by Ann Lawrence

Next, we piled into the cars for a foray at nearby Hemlock County Park, where we collected the bulk of our morels and some Angel Wings (Pleurocybella porrigens). We also found a huge fruiting of Discina perlata, a intensively wrinkled brown cup fungus known as Pig's Ears, fruiting under the pines. After this, it was lunch at a local eatery, and off to Mirror Lake for the third foray of the day! Some of us, like myself, were too pooped by then and opted for a nap. The Banaczeks, as I mentioned, opted for a less ambulatory mode of foraging, and showed the kids where fish come from. The people at Mirror Lake, on the other hand, found oyster mushrooms, so both groups considered it time well spent.

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That evening was our big potluck dinner, with brats grilled outside, batter-fried morels, salad, a taco soup that Cathy brought up the fixings for from Chicago, morels with toasted cashews and gefilte fish, fried fish from the lake... there was a desert, too, but somehow it's all gotten blurred together in my mind. And while we cooked in the Lawrences' wonderful kitchen (only slightly larger than my living room), we had the actual dinner downstairs in their English Pub. You've heard about American millionnaires who bring over a European castle, stone by stone? Well, the Lawrences have brought over an English pub, not wall by wall, but every individual piece inside the walls. You'll just have to experience it. It was kind of unfair, though: while I and Igor and Mary Lou and Cathy were upstairs cooking, Al was downstairs tending bar for everyone else.

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After Sunday breakfast, we all headed for home, stopping for a foray on the way at Devil's Lake, behind the east bluff. Here we found thousands of chrorophyll-less plants that looked like spiky yellow candles under the pines, and a waxy cap to match them: Hygrocybe marginata (=Hygrophorus marginatus), whose gills stay bright orange long after its cap has faded. We also found a spiky brown crust fungus that probably belongs in Hydnochaete or Hymenochaete, but no further identification was possible. Unfortunately, no edibles. The tremendous fruiting of those yellow plants means that there must be a tremendous underground mycelial network for them to feed off of, but whatever fungus that is, it must fruit at another time. I myself was much impressed by the huge pile (hill? mountain?) of glacial boulders that forms one end of the lake.

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Besides the families mentioned above, foray participants were Rael Bassan, Leon Shernoff, Igor Schyb, who came up on Saturday, and Anne and Alan Lawrence. The species we found were as follows:

Redstone Heights:

Image of Inocybe calospora from Jean Louis Émile Boudier (1904 - 1909) Icones mycologicae ou iconographie des champignons de France, principalement Discomycètes

Morchella esculenta, Mycena leaiana, two of the dark Inocybes. Flammulina velutipes, Gymnopus dryophilus (=Collybia dryophila), a cute white Marasmius, Mycena alcalina, Bjerkandera adusta, Coprinus micaceus, and Trametes conchifer

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Hemlock County Park:

Photo of Bjerkandera adusta by Ann Lawrence

Morchella esculenta, Pleurocybella porrigens, Clavicorona pyxidata, Apiosporina morbosa, Bjerkandera adusta, a Psathyrella sp., Trichaptum abietinum, Discina perlata, and a Pluteus sp.

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Mirror Lake:

Pleurotus ostreatus, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, a bright orange rust (Uredinales) on pine, Favolus alveolaris, a Phellinus on beech, Chlorociboria aeruginascens, Trichaptum sp., Coprinus cf. niveus, Apiosporina morbosa, Ganoderma applanatum, Schizophyllum commune, Lenzites sp.

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Devil's Lake:

Mycena leaiana, a Brown-spored agaric., Ganoderma applanatum, Fuligo septica, Entoloma, Hygrocybe marginata marginata, a white crust fungus, Inonotus obliquus, a brown Hydnochaete, Trichaptum abietinum, Trichaptum biforme, Chlorociboria aeruginascens, and Lycoperdon pyriforme

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Next Meeting

The August club meeting will be held on August 13, 2001, in the Biological Science Learning Center (BSLC) at the University of Chicago. The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM in room number 115. The BSLC is on 57th St. half a block West of Ellis Avenue. It looks like a long gray brick with windows, with its narrow end pointing at the street. (See below for a bigger map)

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Parking Directions:

The best parking (20 spots) is on the West side of 933 E. 56th street, directly behind the BSLC. This is normally metered parking, but is free after 4 pm. Do not park in the unmetered delivery zone on the other side of 933 or you will be towed (and you can't walk through from there, anyway). There are another 20 spots on Ellis just North of 56th St., in the Young Y parking lot. Again, this is metered parking that is free after 4 pm. Should this run out, there is a big multilevel parking garage half a block farther north, at Ellis and 55th. This is also free after 4.

A board meeting is also planned soon after the general meeting—exact date and time to be announced.

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Summer Fungi in Illinois, the tasty, the colorful, and the rare

...by Leon Shernoff

Well, here I go again. I'm starting to feel like those sports writers who try to tell you what teams are going to win at the beginning of the season. But instead of doing it by conference, I get to do it by genus, and then pick my front-runner species.

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The Tasty

Image of Cantharellus cibarius from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Cantharellus

Well, the genus Cantharellus has to be mentioned, if only because you'll all yell at me if I don't. But while the perennial favorite is Cantharellus cibarius, all is not so clear in Illinois. There are equally perennial complaints about the bugginess, small size, and uninteresting flavor of the chanterelles collected in the Chicago area (I don't know about downstate. Let us know, southern IMAers!). There may be a reason for this: scuttlebutt from the pros is that our local "chanterelle" may be a different (and so-far unnamed) species from the "classic" chanterelle.

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Photo of Cantharellus CH1 by John Denk

Our local chanterelle is paler on the sides than on the top, is quite thick in proportion to its height, is more or less flat on top (it never really curls up into the vase shape of the classic chanterelle), and is usually between 1-2" tall. The "real" chanterelle is usually bug-free, at least 2" tall, and much much tastier. A real live professional mycologist is off somewhere (I forget who, and where) working on all of this with DNA. As soon as the news breaks, you'll be reading about it in this newsletter.

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By far the tastiest Cantharellus that I have found in the temperate East is Cantharellus minor, which looks like a normal chanterelle but is usually less than an inch high. Cantharellus lateritius looks like a normal chanterelle but has smooth sides; like our "local chanterelle", I have found its flavor to be unexciting. Craterellus odoratus is a thin-fleshed smooth-sided species growing in fused clusters. Although it is a Craterellus, it is chanterelle-colored. It is a Southern species, and may be found downstate. If you find it, please dry it for the Field Museum; it's a fairly unusual fungus. N. S. Weber & A. H. Smith (1985) say that it develops an unpleasant flavor in maturity, but you may want to taste a little, in the interests of science.

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And, actually, if you can, please log all your chanterelle finds for the museum: they've got a big project going on how pollution affects fungal populations, so they're plotting chanterelle concentrations East and West of Gary, Indiana (kind of like shooting fish in a barrel, don't you think?). So they can use any chanterelle collection data you can give them in their study.

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Gyroporus

Gyroporus is a genus that not many people seem to know out here, but you all should, especially if you like good eating. Identification is easy and reliable, and the taste is terrific. Gyroporus mushrooms are smallish boletes that have a hollow (or chambered) stem and a yellow spore deposit. No other bolete has either of those two features, so either one of them is sufficient for an identification. The young stem sometimes has crosswalls that divide its interior into a series of hollow chambers (Fig. 2, right image), but this counts too. The stems of all other boletes are completely solid (insect tunnels don't count!).

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Photo of Gyroporus castaneus by John Denk

The flagship species is G. castaneus (Fig. 2 & 3), which has a warm brown (chestnutty) stem and cap, and a white pore surface that gradually turns yellow from the spores. They are about dandelion-sized (occasionally bigger and husky) and can be found scattered throughout the summer woods. Their flavor does not need to be concentrated by drying (like some other boletes), and the stem is just as good as the cap. Just saute them and enjoy. The insects like them too, though! Usually they come up through the stem, so you may be able to save your finds by cutting away the infested portion. This should be done in the field, as the critters can make substantial progress while you're on your way home!

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There are two other Gyroporus species you might find; they are larger and less common. G. purpurinus has a dark purple cap and stem; G. cyanescens is tan all over and quickly bruises navy blue. Both of these have a white pore surface that turns yellow from the spores. They are also said to be quite tasty, but how tasty is not so firmly established since they are not as common. Try them and write in to the newsletter letting us know. Dry them and let us know how this changes the flavor. Or better yet, dry them and mail them to me so I can test them for you!

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The Colorful

Photo of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus by John Denk

Pycnoporus

I used to think of polypores as Fall mushrooms, because that's when you usually see them (that is, when you walk through the woods cursing them because they're all over the place and you're looking for edibles). But most of them grow during the summer, so at this time of the year you can catch them in the act. While they're growing, they're usually much softer and more flexible (even velvety) than you expect in a polypore, and their colors are much brighter. We think of turkeytails as colorful, but this is often after they've been sitting out for a season or two. Come upon them when they're fresh and growing, and they can be really stunning.
One of the most colorful genus of polypores is Pycnoporus, whose species are all bright red. They come out as soft, bright red lumps that engulf small twigs and leaves as they expand, and dry into light, hard lumps that work well in dried flower arrangements. Pictured is P. cinnabarinus, which is found throughout the state and quickly fades on the top surface when it is exposed to sunlight and rain. P. sanguineus, whose color is more durable, is a southern species and again something that the downstaters can keep their eyes open for. Neither one of them is something you'd want to eat.

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The Rare

Xerula megalospora and Xerula rugosoceps, at an IMA foray

Xerula

Okay, this genus also encompasses the tasty. But it also contains the rarest mushroom that the club has found in recent years. Xerulas are found in broadleaf forests, have a wrinkled or puckered brownish cap that is sticky when wet and darkest in the center, white gills, and a rooting base (visible in the left-hand specimen (Fig. 5); you have to dig carefully in order to get it). The species can be distinguished in the field by cap color, stem color, and size. The two mushrooms on the left in the picture are our second-most common Xerula, X. megalospora. It has a greyish-brown puckered cap and white stem, and it is our smallest Xerula at 2-2 1/2" across and 3-6" high. It often has an odor of geraniums. On the right is X. rugosoceps, one of the rarest fungi known. It has a yellowish-brown cap and a brown stem. Instead of being puckered, its cap has a series of broad, forking, radiating ridges that join up to a smaller ridge that runs around the rim of the cap. It's hard to generalize about its size because only four of them have ever been found (plus this one!), but the one in the picture is just about 3" across and 5" high. As you can see, it's a little huskier, too. If you find this, please dry it (putting it on a paper plate, putting the paper plate on a lampshade and leaving the lamp on overnight usually works well, but there's nothing wrong with a food drier if you have one) and bring it to a meeting or mail it to the Field Museum, because we'll want to have it. The one in the picture was found at the club's Bussey Woods foray last summer, and is now in the herbarium at the Field Museum.

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Photo of Xerula furfuracea by John Denk

Luckily, though, the good edible one in the genus is both the largest and the most common. It has a brownish-brown cap that is puckered rather than ridged, and a brown stem that is iridescent - - tilt it and different parts of it will be shiny at different times. It can get a foot high and almost 6" across. This is Xerula furfuracea (This mushroom is going to be listed in most field guides under its older name, Oudemansiella radicata. It has since been transferred out of that genus. There still are Oudemansiellas in the U.S.; but they grow on wood, usually in clusters, and have a ring. They're kind of like Flammulinas with a ring, and I personally expect to see them get lumped together at some point. But that's another story.) It is known as the Beech Rooter in the Audubon Guide (and other field guides). This is a delicious mushroom. Browned lightly in a little butter, the cap tastes like lobster. If it's wet enough to be sticky on top, then you will have to cook the water out of it for a while before it will consent to brown (and you will want to cook the water out of it, unless you really like gummy food), but it's worth the care. This is one mushroom you don't want to boil first! The stem is really tough, hard, and inedible. But it does a nice job of holding the big cap up.

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X. megalospora is probably edible, too - - it has probably been eaten as X. furfuracea by people who didn't know the difference. X. rugosoceps is probably edible, too, but I and the Field Museum would really appreciate it if you dried it and sent it in instead. It would be kind of like eating a Spotted Owl. There is another rare Xerula that you may find: X. rubrobrunnescens, which has a reddish-brown cap, a reddish brown stalk, and gills that are edged with (you guessed it!) reddish brown. It stains reddish brown, too, when fresh. In case you hadn't guessed it, rubrobrunnescens means "turning reddish brown". This one we would also appreciate you drying instead of eating...

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And those are my picks for the summer season!

Saturday, Apr 28, 2001 Kankakee foray report

Photo of Verpa conica by John Denk

Submitted by John Komosa

A dozen or so of IMA members met at the main entrance to the Kankakee State Park at 9 am. We were joined by guests from Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota. - a total of 21 of us - most dressed in triple layers of clothing, for it was chilly. But once the hunt heated up, people started shedding. When we drove to the pre-selected location, we noticed that there were other vehicles parked there already. Our suspicions were confirmed when we started through the woods that we were "preempted" by the local hunters, finding one morel but 3 or 4 cut stems in the ground. Searching farther off the trail gave better results as we looked under every dead tree we could find. We took some nice pictures, enjoyed the beautiful spring wild flowers, fresh air, good sweat, and picked 373 morels: mostly young gray and older yellow Morchella esculenta, one M. semilibera, and one Verpa conica.

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In addition, Pat, Leon, and others identified: Polyporus squamosus, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Inonotus obliquus, Coprinus micaceus, Galerina sp, Psathyrella sp, Entoloma sp, Astraeus hygrometricus, Aleurodiscus oakesii, and Apiosporina morbosa. We retired at 12:00 to tally our morels and do a head count, discovering that we were short several people! So after liquid refreshments and snacks, some left for home, some went to other locations to continue the hunt, and the rest of us started to organize a three-pronged search party. Fortunately just then, the last "lost" one returned with a big bag full of morels (60). So the 2001 Kankakee morel hunt story had a happy ending after all!

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Greene Valley Forest Preserve Foray

Saturday, August 18, 2001 9:00 AM

Take Rt. 53 south or north to 75th Street west to Greene Road.
Go south to the parking area on right hand side by the Sanitary land fill.

(Map coming soon)

Wild Mushroom Pizza

This subtle blend of wild mushroom flavors makes a great pizza.
3 Tablespoons Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Garlic, minced
3/4 cup Portobello mushrooms, chopped
3/4 cup Shitake mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup Porcini mushrooms, sliced
1 Pizza crust (bread machine, refrigerated, etc.)
2 cups Mozzarella, sliced
4 Roma tomatoes, sliced
2 cups Fontina cheese, grated

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Add the garlic and
mushrooms and cook until just soft. Set aside.

Heat the oven to 425°. Top the crust with the mozzarella. Top with the tomato slices. Spoon on the mushrooms. Sprinkle on the Fontina.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese begins to lightly brown.

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An Introduction to the Edible & Poisonous Mushrooms of Michigan

September 28-30, 2001
Kettunen Center/ Tustin, MI

The Kettunen Center is a complete conference facility owned and operated by the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Features include: modern meeting rooms and accomodations, recreational facilities and superb dining. The Kettunen Center is located on 160 acres of natural terrain in Tustin, MI not far from Cadillac.

Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University will be sponsoring a two and one-half day workshop entitled “Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Michigan”. The faculty is impressive including such notables as Dr. Tom Volk, Dr. Johann Bruhn (of humongous fungus fame), Taylor Lockwood, and University of Chicago Professor Emeritus Dr. John Rippon. Nancy and Ralph Rucinski attended two years ago and although somewhat pricey (tuition for one person is $160, couple $300), found it to be well worth the trip. For more information contact:
Kettunen Center (231-829-3421); MSU-E, Ralph Duffek (906-482-5830);
or Michigan Technological University, Forestry Department/ Dana Richter (906-487-2149 )

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Busse Woods/ Kankakee, July 14, 2001, Foray Report

Photo of Cyathus striatus by John Denk

Submitted by Ralph Rucinski

John Denk, Leon Shernoff, and Ralph Rucinski took advantage of the beautiful, albeit dry, weather and met at Busse Woods. A little rain would have made it a banner day as small chanterelles were there by the hundreds. Most were insect infested and only about a half inch in diameter. We quickly realized that the conditions were pretty hopeless and (adventurous souls that we are) headed for Kankakee State Park. It was well worth the trip. Within about a half an hour we located nine species including the absolutely delicious chestnut bolete (Gyroporus castaneus). If you have never been to one of these summer forays you really should make a point to attend. Leon and our other experienced members freely provide a wealth of knowledge and with the low attendance you pretty much have their undivided attention. It’s a great learning experience.
Specimens found at Kankakee included Cyathus striatus, Crucibulum laeve, Gyroporus castaneus, Sarcoscypha coccinea, Sarcoscypha occidentalis, Psathyrella ssp (one near candolleana, one definitely not), a tiny white flaky Lepiota sp, Leccinum sp, Marasmius sp. Specimens found at Busse Woods were our local chanterelle, Polyporus varius, and another (?) species of Psathyrella.

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Newly designed “T” shirts go on sale

Fifteen bucks (plus $2.44 postage) will have one of these beauties headed your way. Available sizes include M and L. Mail your checks to president, Cathy Lambrecht.

Bemis Woods Foray - - Saturday, September 1, 2001

Leader: John Komosa

The Bemis Woods entrance is on the west side of Wolf Road between 31st Street on the north and Ogden Avenue on the south. The entrance is 0.3 miles south of 31st street.

Directions: From I-294, exit at Ogden Avenue and go east to Wolf Road. Go north past the Salt Creek. The entrance is just north of Salt Creek.

(Map coming soon)

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Next IMA Meeting June 11, 2001

this is NOT our usual “first Monday”

Image of Pleurotus dryinus from A. M. Hussey (1847 - 1855) Illustrations of British mycology

Guest Speaker: Andy Miller of the Field Museum
“Sex in the Fungi: Oysters and False Oysters”

Summer Forays

Sat., June 9 10:00 AM Tinley Creek Woods (southern suburbs) See page 3 for directions.
Sun., June 24 10:00 AM Beck Lake - (far northern suburbs) See page 3 for directions.
July 5 to July 8 NAMA ‘01 in Minnesota.
Sat., July 14 10:00 AM Bussy Woods - (northwest suburbs).
Sun, July 29 10:00 AM Indiana Dunes (Indiana).

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May 7 Club meeting provides info on morel hot spots:

Photo of Morchella esculenta by Greg Starrett

At our May 7 meeting club members Greg Starrett, John Komosa, Alan Laurence and Jim Lamb bared their souls and most guarded morel secrets. They provided club members with a wealth of information related to these oftentimes difficult-to-find prizes.

Did you know?

Morels are often found near elms. The best elm is one that is half dead.
Yellow morels may be found under any hardwoods.
Half frees are often associated with ash trees. Look in mossy areas.
Black morels— look for tamaracks.
Half frees are very good in soups.
Once a dying elm loses all of its bark the morels move elsewhere.
You cannot duplicate a large find of morels within the same year in any given location.
Concerning preservation:
Small morels: If drying, do not wash first. Place in an electric food dryer and dry hard as a rock for 24 hours. Store in sealed jars.
Large morels: Cut and parboil for 4 minutes. Dry on paper. Freeze in plastic bags. Suck the air out of the corner of the bag before sealing.
Kids find more morels—follow their lead and get low to the ground in your search.

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Morels are at best unpredictable. Perhaps this is the very reason they hold our interest year after year.

North Chicago Morel Foray

Report submitted by Eileen Schutte and John Komosa

Photo of Puffball by John Denk

Twenty something was the number at the North Chicago Morel Foray on Saturday, May 12. There were 24 forayers who found 22 species of mushrooms and 21 prized yellow morels (Morchella esculenta). The morels were still in edible condition but most were somewhat past their prime indicating the end of the season was fast approaching. All in all it was a pretty good ending considering the dry weather and the hot days which can put a quick end to the season.

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The surprise find of the day was a half-grown gray kitten found curled up at the base of an oak tree. It was quite tame and found a savior in Leon Shernoff who adopted it and took it home to friendlier surroundings. Leon notes that

it was spotted huddled under a tree by Peter Margulis (and well-camouflaged he was, too, with his dark-gray coat! No wonder Peter found so many more morels than me!), coaxed out of hiding by Leon Shernoff, dubbed “Puffball” by John Denk, and photographed (trying to hide in my elbow while I try to identify the picnic table of mushrooms off to one side) by Dennis Bukala. Connie Fischbein identified the cat as a “Russian Blue”, about 6 months old, and a male. A team effort, and one that we’re all happy with!

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We were pleased to have reporter Josh Schonwald join us on the foray. Hopefully we gave him the straight scoop on why, when, and where we look for morels every spring.
A total of 22 species were found including 21 morels. Peter Margulis and Scott Gross found morels for the first time ever on this foray.

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Directions to Tinley Creek Woods

Map for Tinley Creek foray

From the North, take Hwy. 294 south. Get off on 95th St. going East.
Turn right (south) on Harlem Ave (Rt. 43) and go to 151st (about 7 miles).
Take a right (west) for 1/2 mile to the parking entrance on the right (north) side of 151st.

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From there we will walk through some beautiful wild flower and prairie type of fields to a burned out area where we should find plenty of early summer species.

Directions to Beck Lake Foray site

Map for Beck Lake foray

Beck Lake is located near Glenview just west of Hwy 294 on Central Ave.

From the South - exit 294 at Dempster (Rt14) west to Rand Rd
Turn right (northwest) to Central St
Turn right (east) on Central to Beck Lake entrance.

From the North - exit 294 at Golf Rd (Rt58) exit, which exits onto E. River Rd.
Turn right (north) to Central Rd.
Cross Central to Beck Lake entrance.

Telluride Mushroom Conference

The 21st Annual Telluride Mushroom Conference will be held August 23-26, 2001, in Telluride, Colorado. The Telluride Conference is designed for persons interested in mushroom identification, edible, poisonous and psychoactive mushrooms, and mushroom cultivation.

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Dr. Rick Doblin, President of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, will address a plenary session of the Conference on Psilocybin Research: From Cowpies to Clinical Trials. Gary Lincoff, author of the Audubon Field Guide to North American Mushrooms will conduct a course on Mushroom Identification; Paul Stamets, author of Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, on Mushroom Cultivation; Andrew Weil, author of Eating Well for Optimum Health, on Mushrooms and Health; John Corbin, cultivation specialist, on Growing Mushrooms on Straw; Linnea Gillman, Past President of the Colorado Mycological Society, on Rocky Mountain Mushrooms; and Emanuel Salzman, Co-editor of Mushroom Poisoning, on Poisonous Mushrooms.

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Telluride is an historic Colorado mining town on the western slope of the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide. Daily forays will be led into the nearby forests generally productive of a wide variety of wild mushrooms, particularly edibles.

For further information, contact Fungophile: P.O. Box 480503, Denver, CO 80248-0503.
Phone 303-296-9359
Fax 303-296-9359
e-mail lodomyco@uswest.net

Stash That Catch:

John Rahart’s article in the September/October 1999 Mycophile, "Preserving Harvested Mushrooms", has proven to be as valuable as any cookbook in our possession. Seven methods of preservation are discussed along with the uses and advantages and disadvantages of each procedure.

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Many of you probably already clipped and saved this little gem. If you did not and feel this information would be of some benefit to you, contact NAMA’s Executive Secretary, Joe Miller. He will provide you with replacement copies of the Mycophile free upon request. Past issues of McIlvainea are $4.00 (postage included). Joe’s contact information is as follows:
Joe Miller, Executive Secretary
North American Mycological Association
10 Lynn Brooke Place
Charleston, WV 25312-9521
ExecutiveSec@namyco.org

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Next IMA meeting, Monday, June 11, 7:30 PM, Moravian Club House

The Moravian Club House, 2140 South Wesley is in Berwyn (between Oak Park Avenue and East Avenue) parallel to Cermak Road.

Dinner Bell for those who can make it: Czech Plaza Restaurant, 7016 Cermak Road, Berwyn, Il 708.795.6555 (Walking distance to the Moravian Club House) — join fellow members at 6 PM.

Dutch Treat!

Sex in Mushrooms and Separating Species in Oysters and False Oysters

One way to figure out different mushroom species is to perform mating studies. Andy Miller, graduate student at the Field Museum, will present research results with Lentinellus (False Oyster Mushrooms). He sorted out the species of the bear mushroom (L. ursinus) and the wolf mushroom (L. vulpinus) for eastern North America by using morphology, mating studies, and culture studies.
Andy will also give an overview of the genus Lentinellus and discuss how to separate it from the edible oyster mushrooms.

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Book Review by Ron Tracy : Lichens by William Purvis

Lichens by William Purvis (Smithsonian Institution Press, 2000) is a short and stimulating introduction to the world of lichenology. The book's 114 pages contain many color photographs and diagrams that aid a well-written and succinct text in presenting an overview to a subject any mycological enthusiast will find interesting. This reviewer always thought of lichens as a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. Purvis explains that a lichen consists "of at least two organisms: a fungus (mycobiont) and a photosynthetic partner (photobiont). The photobiont, which contains chlorophyll, may be either a green alga or belong to an entirely different kingdom--a cyanobacterium (a bacterium that contains a blue-green photosynthetic pigment)." However, lichens are named according to the fungus because the same photobionts can occur in different lichens. The use of the term "symbiotic" in referring to the components of a lichen might be incorrect because some biologists "believe that the lichen relationship is one of controlled parasitism, that the photobiont cells are victims rather than partners of the mycobiont." The introductory chapter pursues these points right down to recent DNA analysis. It is very interesting reading.

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Rather than summarizing everything in this relatively short book I will highlight some things I found interesting. This book is so well done I found it hard to not just read it straight through. I can't stress enough how good and how important the illustrations are.

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The basic chemistry of lichens is that the photobionts produce carbohydrates that the fungus absorbs as sugar alcohols or glucose. Furthermore, "cyanobacteria in lichens can also convert nitrogen from the air into ammonium oxides, which are available to the fungus for protein synthesis." However, over 700 secondary substances have been identified in lichens which gives them considerable economic and ecological importance.

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Lichens are found everywhere but in the deep seas and Purvis states that "Vegetation dominated by lichens covers around 8% of the Earth's land surface." Anybody who has been fishing in northern Canada can verify this. While lichens are not found in the "deep seas" there is lichen found below the tide line.

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I was surprised that lichens do not, according to Purvis, cause significant damage to buildings and monuments. I always assumed that lichens on old gravestones etc. were slowly dissolving the stone away. Purvis says that "architects and many other people recognize that lichens can give a desirable rustic charm to buildings, adding to local character. If you spray dilute manure on surfaces you can encourage growth of the colorful yellow Xanthoria ssp." How's that for practical information?

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Lichens and Christmas make an unlikely combination but it is likely that it was the presence of Usnea longissima, long-beard lichen, growing on spruce trees in northern Europe that led to the tradition of decorating Christmas trees with tinsel. Urban lichens can occur just about anywhere including blacktop pavements, old tires, roofs, garbage cans, etc. Forty different lichens have been found growing on old stained glass windows in Europe. Some are found only on a specific color of glass!

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A chapter entitled "Life in Extreme Environments" tracks lichens to urban areas, hot deserts, Antarctica, rocky coasts, Arctic tundra and alpine peaks. A color photograph shows an Antarctic cryptoendolith, which is a lichen that actually lives within rocks. "They survive by penetrating between colorless crystal grains of granite and marble."

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I am beginning to do what I said I would not do--summarize the entire book--so let me note that I have not touched on the chapters on "Biomonitoring," "Prospecting and Dating," "Economic Uses," and "Practical Projects." This last chapter contains the fact that "One of the more bizarre beliefs was that lichen growing on human skulls was worth its weight in gold as a cure for epilepsy."

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The retail price of Lichens is $14.95 and I think this little book is well worth it. The excellent combination of text and illustrations in this book is one of the most successful I have encountered. I can't imagine an IMA member not thoroughly enjoying this book.

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2001 NAMA Foray to be held at Central Minnesota’s St. John’s University July 5-8

Several renowned mycology experts, including our own Pat Leacock and Greg Mueller, will make presentations at this year’s annual NAMA foray. Programs range from helping beginners to the technical details of identification using microscopic characters (Andy Methven). Marsha Harbin will report on the results of her recent study of the mycorrhizal relationship of morels (who of us wouldn’t like to add that information to our arsenals) and Rosanne Healy will discuss collecting truffles in the Midwest.

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Some of the other topics include the following:

Using dyes extracted from fungi (Melanie Spock)
Making paper from fungi (Catherine Wesley)
Introduction to digital photography (John Little)
Slime molds (Dean Abel)
Cultivating mushrooms (Joe Krawczyk)
The magic of chemicals in mushroom identification (Walt Sturgeon)
…..and much more including scheduled forays.

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If interested, contact:
Anna Gerenday, e-mail geren002@umn.edu, telephone (612) 625-5759

Glossary
Mushrooms
People
Newsletter
Events

Sunday, Sept. 30 at 10:00 AM	Kettle Moraine South (Wisconsin) - joint foray IMA & WMS. See directions in the last issue. Central Wisconsin got a lot of moisture lately!
Friday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 noon	Schiller Woods (Directions & map below) Collecting for next days microscopic class.
Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9:00 AM	Bachelor Grove (see page 3 for directions and map)
Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10:00 AM	Moraine Hills State Park (see page 3 for directions and map) Help us check out this new location! The far north and westside IMAers deserve one foray in “their-neck-of-the-woods”, no??!

Sat, Sept. 15, 9:00 AM	Deer Grove, We will be picking fresh specimens for the IMA mushroom exhibit the next day (Sept. 16) at the Botanic Gardens...so come out in force, and let’s get a lot!
Sun, Sept. 30, 10:00 AM	Kettle Moraine South (Wisconsin) - joint foray IMA & WMS See page 3 for map and details.

Sun. July 29, 10:00 AM	Notice of change of location for the next foray. The Indiana Dunes foray originally scheduled for July 29th has been moved to the main entrance of Kankakee State Park on the same date. It was felt that due to dry conditions at this point in time, Kankakee would meet with more success. Of course, this should bring cloud bursts to the Dunes area. Map and details page 3
Sat. Aug 18, 9:00 AM	Greene Valley Forest Preserve, map and details page 8
Sat. Sept. 1, 9:00 AM	Bemis Woods, map and details page 10

Sat., June 9 10:00 AM	Tinley Creek Woods (southern suburbs) See page 3 for directions.
Sun., June 24 10:00 AM	Beck Lake - (far northern suburbs) See page 3 for directions.
July 5 to July 8	NAMA ‘01 in Minnesota.
Sat., July 14 10:00 AM	Bussy Woods - (northwest suburbs).
Sun, July 29 10:00 AM	Indiana Dunes (Indiana).

Fungus Friends: Newsletter of the Illinois Mycological AssociationJune, 2001

Next IMA Meeting

Monday, March 4th, 2002 7:30 PM

Photo of Morchella esculenta by John Denk

IMA April Meeting

Monday, April 1st, 2002 7:30 PM

Meeting Location: North Park Village Nature Center 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL

Club News:

New Officers

Annual Morel Meeting

Your Name Here

Sound Bites

Morels in California

Win a Truffle!

Italian Mushroom Club

Image of Abbé Giacomo Bresadola from Curtis Gates Lloyd (1898 - 1925) Mycological Notes

Foray News

The Botanic Gardens

NAMA Annual Foray

More forays!

Book Review

Photo of Russula compacta by Leon Shernoff

Recipe of the Month:

More recipes?

THE ILLINOIS MYCOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

Image of Abbé Giacomo Bresadola from Curtis Gates Lloyd (1898 - 1925) Mycological Notes

Terrorist Attack

Upcoming Forays

Schiller Woods Foray

McCrone Research Institute Meeting Directions

Bachelor Grove Foray

Moraine Hills Foray

Moraine Hills State Park

Moraine Hills State Park: History

Moraine Hills State Park: Geological History

Moraine Hills State Park: Natural Features

Moraine Hills State Park: Boating and Fishing

Moraine Hills State Park: Biking, Hiking, Skiing

IMA Potluck Cook Off October 13th - New Date!

Bemis Woods Foray Report

Photo of Amanita flavorubescens by John Denk

Photo of Boletus campestris by John Denk

Photo of Calvatia gigantea by John Denk

Photo of Ganoderma lucidum by John Denk

Image of Helvella lacunosa from Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck (1816 - 1817) Das System der Pilze und Schwämme

Photo of Laccaria ochropurpurea by Leon Shernoff

Photo of Lycoperdon echinatum by John Denk

Photo of Phellinus gilvus by John Denk

Image of Russula virescens from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Image of Scleroderma citrinum from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Photo of Thelephora palmata by John Denk

Photo of Trametes versicolor by John Denk

Deer Grove West Foray Report

Deer Grove Species: ASCOMYCOTA (6)

Photo of Aleuria aurantia by John Denk

Deer Grove Species: BASIDIOMYCOTA - - Gilled mushrooms and boletes (54)

Photo of Amanita abrupta by John Denk

Photo of Armillaria mellea by John Denk

Photo of Cortinarius JD1 by John Denk

Image of Inocybe pyriodora from Jean Louis Émile Boudier (1904 - 1909) Icones mycologicae ou iconographie des champignons de France, principalement Discomycètes

Image of Lactarius glaucescens from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Photo of Lactarius psammicola by John Denk

Image of Mycena galericulata from Gotthold Hahn (1883) Der Pilz-Sammler oder Anleitung zur Kenntnis der wichtigsten Pilze Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Laender

Photo of Pholiota albocrenulata by John Denk

Image of Russula foetentula from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Image of Strobilomyces floccopus from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Deer Grove Species: BASIDIOMYCOTA - - Polypores, teeth fungi, and crust fungi (33)

Photo of Ganoderma lucidum by John Denk

Photo of Laetiporus cincinnatus by John Denk

Photo of Laetiporus sulphureus by John Denk

Photo of Stereum ostrea by John Denk

Photo of Trametes versicolor by John Denk

Chanterelles and Coral fungi (1)

Image of Ramaria from Eugen Gramberg (1913) Pilze unserer Heimat

Puffballs and other gasteromycetes (8)

Photo of Lycoperdon echinatum by John Denk

Jelly fungi (2)

Photo of Tremellodendron pallidum by John Denk

ZYGOMYCOTA (1)

Photo of Spinellus fusiger by John Denk

Fungus Friends: Newsletter of the Illinois Mycological Association
June, 2001