How many

[Fungalpunk]

fungi can be positively identified in the field. Look everyone I am at a loss as the more I seem to do the less I know and apparently there are fewer and fewer fungi that can be ID'd in the field than I first thought. If there aren't so many that can be positively named then how do people lgo on when leading walks! Is it a shrug of the shoulders and a 'pass' as the mushroom is tossed into the basket for later microscopy work. Not very entertaining for the public methinks.

If people could put their estimates up it would be very interesting indeed and maybe offer some hope to us struggling part-time mushers.

Fungalpunk Dave - family, punk and wildlife - what else is there

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by Fungalpunk

fungi can be positively identified in the field. Look everyone I am at a loss as the more I seem to do the less I know and apparently there are fewer and fewer fungi that can be ID'd in the field than I first thought. If there aren't so many that can be positively named then how do people lgo on when leading walks! Is it a shrug of the shoulders and a 'pass' as the mushroom is tossed into the basket for later microscopy work. Not very entertaining for the public methinks.

If people could put their estimates up it would be very interesting indeed and maybe offer some hope to us struggling part-time mushers.

Fungalpunk Dave - family, punk and wildlife - what else is there

Dave
On walks with the public it is usually not about putting a definitive id to every find but just showing the wonderful diversity of fungi out there. I said soon after joining WAB some people want to know what each find is but if you want to learn it is much more important to point out how you know this is a Lactarius or an Amanita.

Mal

[mykonik]

Originally Posted by flaxton

Dave
On walks with the public it is usually not about putting a definitive id to every find but just showing the wonderful diversity of fungi out there. I said soon after joining WAB some people want to know what each find is but if you want to learn it is much more important to point out how you know this is a Lactarius or an Amanita.

Mal

I agree with that Mal - but then if you do this there is always someone who starts to go on about 'youre the expert but you can't identify things' if you don't definitively identify everything !

And it's bl**dy irritating, especially when that same person (who invariably knows absolutely nothing) cannot understand that it is actually impossible to name many things in the field - things of the Psathyrella / Inocybe / Russula (often, even though they are big and brightly coloured), and 'white resupinate polypore' ilk.

And that always seems to be done by the same individual who wil bring you Hypholoma fasciculare twelve times in a row and argue about it on each occasion !

Oh, the joys of public forays !!

Nick

[mykonik]

Originally Posted by Fungalpunk

fungi can be positively identified in the field. Look everyone I am at a loss as the more I seem to do the less I know and apparently there are fewer and fewer fungi that can be ID'd in the field than I first thought. If there aren't so many that can be positively named then how do people lgo on when leading walks! Is it a shrug of the shoulders and a 'pass' as the mushroom is tossed into the basket for later microscopy work. Not very entertaining for the public methinks.

If people could put their estimates up it would be very interesting indeed and maybe offer some hope to us struggling part-time mushers.

Fungalpunk Dave - family, punk and wildlife - what else is there

Methinks you havn't been into this for very long have you ?

What you have stated is exactly the correct thing about looking for fungi i.e NO, a large majority of fungi CAN'T be named (accurately) in the field - and those 'brilliant' foray leaders that say they can (or actually do !) are guilty of nothing more than 'bullshi**ing !!.

Nothing wrong with having an educated guess, but even that is beyond some people who can't bear to acknowledge that the subject is a teensy bit more complicated than it looks at first glance.

Nick [been doing it for 44 years and still wouldn't swear that he could name EVERYTHING that passed his way in the field !]

Nick

[Fungalpunk]

My problem is 'I do everything' - moths, flowers, birds, grasshoppers etc. and only so much fits in and so when the mushie season comes around and I hear of all the changes and indecision my head whirls. I have been seriously pottering on the fungal trail for about 4 years, before that I'd have a look and try to ad a name but inevitably struggle.

A chance conversation with M. Jordan came about and I was asked to set up an ABFG group - I suspect due to my honesty and enthusiasm rather than skill. The group is up and running and in it's second year and with Ken Burgess a member all is well (lucky us hey). Yeah I agree with the naming things just down to a family is good for the beginner but there are always one or two who want more and I feel frustrated on their behalf if I can't nail a name for them. As time goes on it seems there is less I can name - aaagggghhhh!

I never encourage the eating of specimens due to downright fear of poisoning someone except if its a real obvious species. Another loss for the group.

Frustrating to say the least - but one has to have a go I feel and I ain't giving in as I do enjoy seeing faces marvel at the fungal wonders.

I have a walk coming up fast - two bottles of sherry beforehand may help ha, ha - perhaps not but tempting all the same.

Like I say I just avoid blagging and stay honest and if I don't know I don't know but I do encourage anyone on the walk with experience to chip in - all for one etc.

FP/OMD - Oi, Oi