Collins Fungi Guide: The most complete field guide to the mushrooms and toadstools of Britain & Ireland

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The appearance of the gill margin (its lower edge) is especially important in some genera. It may be described as undulating or wavy in the same way as the edge of the cap itself, but quite commonly gills are found that appear toothed or minutely ragged. Sometimes the gill edge is of a different colour to the remainder of the gill whereas overall gill colour, especially the difference between immature and mature gills, is very important in some groups. Surface features of gills are not as important in identification as the surface features of the cap, although in a few groups the relative waxiness or pubescence (minute hairiness, like the surface of a peach) is used as a diagnostic criterion. Dilute or concentrated solutions of hydrochloric, nitric or sulphuric acids. These acids are extremely dangerous chemicals and should only be used by those experienced in their handling. Microscopic features Last week we published a blog post with advice on purchasing a hand lens, plus a useful comparison chart showing the various lenses you can buy from NHBS. Supply information to local and national databases and retain ‘voucher specimens’ for deposit in museum collections. From mould to yeast, fungi are a diverse kingdom with over 15,000 species in the UK. Fungi are made up of different microscopic thread like bodies called hyphae, and collectively hyphae form mycelium. Mushrooms or toadstools are the reproductive, umbrella shaped fruiting bodies of certain fungi. These organisms can be found in almost every natural habitat, but more kinds of macro-fungi tend to be found in woodlands, as they provide a rich and continuing nutrient source and a wide range of microhabitats.

Collins Fungi Guide: The most complete field guide to the Collins Fungi Guide: The most complete field guide to the

Other stem features have manifestations on the stem and, to some extent, on the cap too; these are the presence or absence of veils – more or less filmy sheets of tissue produced on the fruit bodies of some agaric species. They are of two types, partial veils and universal veils. A partial veil covers the gills of an agaric fruit body as it emerges from the substrate, stretching from the cap edge to the stem. As the cap grows and expands, this veil tears in one of two main ways. An arachnoid (spider or cobweb-like) veil splits radially leaving fibrils on the cap edge and sometimes adhering across the gills too. By contrast, a membranous veil tears concentrically around the cap, sometimes leaving flaps of tissue conspicuously on the cap edge and more importantly a ring of tissue (called the ring) on the stem itself. In many fungi the ring is barely detectable but in others it forms a very obvious feature, important in identification. The ring may take several forms; if it joins only loosely to the stem, it is called movable, if more tightly adhering, attached. If it is on the upper part of the stem, a ring is called superior; if on the lower half, inferior; a ring with a cotton wool-like roll of tissue on the underside is referred to as double. Sometimes there is no proper ring, only a ring-zone or slightly rougher tissue and contrasting colour on the stem. First up is Peter Marren, whose forthcoming book, Mushrooms, is the first in a new series of natural history publications, the British Wildlife Collection Peter Marren’s tips on mushroom identification for the beginner Whether we call them all mushrooms, as the Americans tend to do, or toadstools as we often do in Britain, they form a huge and amazing array of species. The terms mushroom and toadstool are of course very vague with no actual specific scientific meaning, encompassing both edible and poisonous species. With such a large number of species to choose from, identification can be both difficult and frustrating, and if edibility is a factor then obviously getting a correct identification is even more important; a mistake can be, and sadly has often been, fatal. Marginal characters. The margin of the cap may differ significantly from the remainder in colour or surface texture, and the edge may be either perfectly smooth (entire) or more or less wavy, split or eroded. There are often small radial lines around the circumference associated with the gill attachment but some caps are lined radially as a separate marginal feature.Always remember that it is far better to identify with certainty ten species and so enrich your fund of knowledge and experience than return home wastefully with fifty or more unknowns, most of which there will never be any prospect of naming. Many species can only be distinguished with certainty by using a microscope to examine their spores and other microscopic structures, or by the application of specific chemicals to produce colour reactions. More technical monographs are needed for these. Fungal nutrition is a complex subject but one aspect of it is nonetheless of particular importance in relation to their occurrence in the field. Anyone who has ever collected toadstools will have noted that many, perhaps most, occur in particular types of woodland, beneath particular types of tree or consistently in company with certain types of plant. This is not mere chance, nor the result of two species requiring a similar ecological niche. It is because of an intimate association called a mycorrhiza, which means that under certain circumstances the one cannot exist, or can do so only inadequately, without the other. A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between fungal hyphae and the roots of higher plants, and also, to some extent, of some Pteridophytes (ferns and their allies) and the rhizoids of Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). The fungal mycelium forms an outer sheath around the fine rootlets and this can be seen if the rootlets are examined closely with a lens. Penetration of fungal hyphae into the root is limited and occurs only between the cells of the cortex. Precisely how the mycorrhizal mycelium assists its host plant, and vice versa, is still imperfectly understood, but it seems that the fungus obtains much of its necessary supply of carbon from the roots and, in return, acts as an intermediary in the uptake of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and potash from the soil. The mycorrhizal fungus seems better able to achieve this uptake, especially from poor soils, than does the plant acting on its own. The naming and classification of fungi Next up, Geoffrey Kibby, whose new photographic identification guide to the Genus Amanita is the fourth in a series of full colour fungi identification monographs, and is out now. In the following article Kibby discusses the finer points of mushroom identification:

Collins Fungi Guide: The Most Complete Field Guide to the

Spores and most other features of microscopic interest do retain their form more or less indefinitely and can be examined at leisure after small pieces of dried tissue have been macerated in warm water, Melzer’s reagent ( see here), methylene blue or cotton blue (see here). It should be remembered nonetheless, that for some fungi, such as those in the genera Lactarius and Russula, features like spore print colour, taste and smell are of such importance for identification that accurate naming of dried specimens without detailed notes on the fresh material is often impossible.Identification: Initially cup-shaped and smoothed, the fruiting body develops lobes in the shape of a wrinkled human ear. Soft, gelatinous and a date-brown colour, but when it dries it is much smaller, darker and harder. Upper surface is velvety, and is attached laterally by a small stalk. Up to 8cm across. This is the most comprehensive field guide to mushrooms ever published. With descriptions of over 3,000 species that can be identified with the naked eye, this book is all the reader will need to correctly identify any fungus. Be aware that some fungi are very poisonous and many others may make you unwell. Some people have allergic reactions after eating certain species. Make quite sure you can identify fungi by attending a field course or foray led by an expert before you start collecting. Many people come into mycology via a desire to try eating something a little more exotic than the shop bought mushroom. There are many edible species and they can have tastes and textures quite unlike the cultivated species. Hunting for edibles can be a wonderful experience but there are several rules to follow if your hunt is to have a happy outcome: Within these broad divisions, however, there is a wide range of environments. Broad-leaved woodland for instance embraces such disparate habitats as the almost pure stands of beech on the chalk downs with their extremely sparse ground flora, the rich oak wood with a ground flora dominated by early season species like blue-bells that flower before the canopy closes, and the carr, dominated by alder and willows and with almost permanent standing water. Copses and hedgerows are among several other more specialised types of woodland habitat. Each woodland type will be considered briefly in turn.

Collins Fungi Guide by Stefan Buczacki, Chris - Scribd Collins Fungi Guide by Stefan Buczacki, Chris - Scribd

Collins Fungi Guide: The most complete field guide to the mushrooms and toadstools of Britain & Ireland Hbr S 10 Must Reads On Making Smart Decisions With Featured Article Before You Make That Big Decision By Daniel Kahneman Dan Lovallo And Olivier Sibony Leading mycological artists have been specially commissioned to ensure accurate, detailed illustrations. Nearly 2,400 species are illustrated in full colour, with detailed notes on how to correctly identify them, including details of similar, confusing species. Remove the specimens carefully from the substrate, noting especially if the stem base is rooting (inserted deeply into the ground, rather like a carrot root). Make a record of any features that are immediately obvious and striking (a hairy cap, a smell of almonds or a bright red colour for example) and also those characters that change on handling (such as a colour change similar to bruising where the tissues have been touched, or an aroma that becomes suddenly apparent). Whenever possible, try to take at least one immature fruit body but remember that without some fully mature individuals identification will usually be impossible. It is much better to place only one collection in each container for bringing home; many toadstools look remarkably similar, especially when seen apart from their habitat, and trying to relate a mixed collection to one species can cause endless frustration. The need not to mix collections is even more important when collecting fungi to eat because an inedible or poisonous species can so easily be tossed into the pan along with the edible ones. Fungi are enjoyed by many people because of their beauty and intrigue. For this reason you should take care to minimise the visual effect of collecting samples.

Living organisms are given names and are classified into groups; fungi are no exception. The scientific names used for organisms today are based on a binomial or two-name system based on Latin and other languages and using Latin grammar derived from one devised by the Swedish biologist Linnaeus (Carl von Linné, 1707–1778). The binomial of each organism does more than signify its uniqueness, however, as it also attempts to indicate its relationship to other similar forms. Whilst each group of basically identical individuals is called a species, designated by the second of the two names, the larger groups to which similar species are considered to belong are called genera (singular genus) and it is the genera that contribute the first name. So, the fungus genus Lepiota includes species like Lepiota lilacea, Lepiota magnispora and Lepiota obscura. The specific or trivial name often attempts to give some information about the organism, for example lilacea signifies a lilac-coloured fungus and magnispora one with large spores, although sometimes, as in obscura, it does no more than recognise some undefined peculiar feature. Nearly 2400 species are illustrated in full colour, with detailed notes on how to correctly identify them, including details of similar, confusing species. A field guide can only take you so far and show you a representative sample of a particular species. Fungi vary much more than most organisms and you will need to learn them in all their many and varied forms before you can confidently say you know a species well. The best way to learn is to get a good guide and then take it along on an organised fungal walk (or foray as they are usually called). Here you will usually be led by an experienced expert who can show you first hand the important features of each species as well as their particular ecology. The latter can be vital in fungus identification. Many fungi grow in association with specific trees or other plants and knowing this can help you to identify or even predict the species you may find. Collect the minimum amount of material or number of specimens required for a proper description and reliable identification.