| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| moonwind |
British Mycological SocietyAs some of you may recall, I posted pictures of mushrooms/fungi growing extremely well where I live, but they were unable to be identified.As nobody with any expertise lived nearby someone told me to contact the Mycological Society to get a list of anyone who could help, I was hoping someone might come along when in the area. I e-mailed the address shown on their webpage, in fact I have done so twice now, just enquiring if they could help by providing a local contact but they have not replied, not even a courtesy reply. I am beginning to wonder why there is no reply, even a courtesy reply and why there is no listing of local groups who could be contacted? Does anyone know if this is an exclusive club for those who already have learned about the subject, and have no time for anyone who does not possess their taught skills? Afraid it has not left me feeling very good about them and I hope they do not just ignore correspondence from people they may see as ignorant! Any pointers to organisations who may be more helpful, or at least more courteous, would be appreciated. We are in the Carmarthen area . No matter if no-one on here can help, but just wanted to let you know what happened (or has not happened) to my enquiry. |
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| Mary-Jane |
It might be as simple as their email service not working properly Moodwind. I've had that happen to me on a number of occasions. More recently I managed to get in telephone contact with the Ecology Building Society having emailed them several times - the chap I spoke to was mortified that that he hadn't received the emails and apologised profusely. Apparently there was a genuine problem which they have now sorted out.
Just a thought. |
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| Jamanda |
I know it's a very,very long time ago, but when I was there the mycology dept at Aber uni used to do fungal forays open to the general public. And there were, and I'm sure still will be some very knowledgeable people. Not sure if you are in that bit of West Wales
We also have a new member, mushroom man joined since you posted your photos. It might be worth PMing him and directing him to the post with your pictures. |
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| mushroom man |
If you can point me at the pics I will have a go at them. The BMS has a largish web site and you might be able to find contact details for a local group there.
I don't know what went wrong with the email but the BMS is very welcoming to "field mycologists" and I would say that most of its members (including me) could be described as such. The organization has a professional component but its amateur roots go back to the 19th Century. |
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| Jamanda |
It was here . Scroll down until you hit a post with about 10 picture links alltogether. | ||
| bingo |
Where did you get your knowledge from?
In the future, (a long way off) I would like to be in a position and have the knowledge to take people on foray's. Is it just a case of reading and going out? |
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| bingo |
Above post aimed at Mushroom Man. | ||
| Jamanda |
What - you don't want to know where I got my knowledge from? |
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| mushroom man |
Well I think that they are Agrocybe aegerita. It is quite common some years on wood chips. Check my tentative assertion with a Google search. If you don't think I am right let me know and I will take a more careful look. However I am pretty sure it is Agrocybe something.
As for where I get all my knowledge... I go out every day I possibly can and collect just a few unfamiliar species. Then go home and spend hours and hours and hours with as many books as I can afford and a microscope. Nearly 30 years of this has still left lots of room for improvement! The real joy of it comes when you see something completely new. Yesterday I found Leucoagaricus badhamii - a beautiful white toadstool with a delicate sheath like ring. The flesh bruised instantly bright red. It took just a few minutes to identify so not too bad. It is a red data list species and an exciting find. |
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| bingo |
Leucoagaricus badhamii with one i at the end is a goggle whack, must be rare. 
What's the microscope for? |
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| moonwind |
Thanks Jamanda, I have been out most of today, have only just come online. I had sent an e-mail to the Society before M-J, and the same thing happened, no reply at all. I wonder if they use a severe junk mail filter, I know I cannot send e-mail to a friend of ours who is a Prof. there. I have to use a private hotmail address. I can understand why some institutes do this. Actually it was him and a friend who spent some of today with us, and Chris saw the rooms and although identifying them is not his forte, he said there were quite a few different varieties there. I do believe there are some smaller blackish colour ones that have started coming up, they haven't been there before, but seems like the whole of that area is going to become home to them. If it is drier tomorrow I will try to take more pictures of those black ones. They are really quite fascinating things and have now got my attention every time I go down the yard! I just wish I knew more myself about them, I could be missing out on some good grub .. |
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| mushroom man |
At its simplest the microscope is for looking at the shape and size of spores. These are more consistent characters than the size and shape of the whole fruiting body. You can also looks at the cell structure of the gills and the cap and just about anything else.
It is very useful if you are determined to discover what it is you have found but it is hardly the way to go if you are just looking for your dinner. |
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| bingo |
Interesting. | ||
| bingo |
What books do you recommend Mushroom Man?
Plug opportunity. 
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| mushroom man |
Well.. er...
If you just want stuff to eat then my book (it would be rude to pass up the plug opportunity provided) fits the bill. I have tried to steer safely in the right direction. If you want to identify all types then you will need a lot more. I'll get a list together and post it here tomorrow night. |
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| bingo |
Thanks that would be cool. | ||
| moonwind |
Thanks Mushroom Man, I think they might well be them. I didn't recognise them to start, but the later pictures which showed the brown familiar mushroom underside made them look very similar. There are loads and they have been almost non stop since end July, we do get some field mushroom come up in the fields from time to time, and I believe some oysters which started growing on a sheet of ply which had been lying in the ground for quite a few years. Haven't the courage to try to cook them though just in case ... 
Thanks |