Picking fungi

[Chalk Downlanders]

What are the pitfalls for picking fungi for future identification and photography?

Kev

[eeyore]

make sure you shak out the sporers so that ne ones grow where yu have picked one - and a few are toxic through the skin so be carful of that too

edit ; , I'm drinking so sorry bout many typos, cant be botthered to retype tho

[Jennywrenny]

I'm drinking so sorry bout many typos, cant be botthered to retype tho

You're not Billy the Quid on Chessworld are you ?? :-)

[aeshna5]

I'll have a pint of what Eeyore's had!

[nightshade]

Obtain a box of disposable gloves,these should protect against most things
including the skin staining that some vegetation can give

[Chalk Downlanders]

Originally Posted by eeyore

make sure you shak out the sporers so that ne ones grow where yu have picked one - and a few are toxic through the skin so be carful of that too

edit ; , I'm drinking so sorry bout many typos, cant be botthered to retype tho

Alcohol is the work of the Devil. You should be ashamed of yourself, it's disgusting. Fortunately Southern Comfort and Lager does not count. So although I am unable to stand unaided I am in fact saintly and pure.

Back to normal. Good idea about shaking the spores out. I would hate to pick a rare one through ignorance. I'm not familier with toxins entering through the skin though. I have always handled them bare handed.

Other items of concern is discolouration through time, drying and handeling.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Chalk Downlanders

Alcohol is the work of the Devil. You should be ashamed of yourself, it's disgusting. Fortunately Southern Comfort and Lager does not count. So although I am unable to stand unaided I am in fact saintly and pure.

Back to normal. Good idea about shaking the spores out. I would hate to pick a rare one through ignorance. I'm not familier with toxins entering through the skin though. I have always handled them bare handed.

Other items of concern is discolouration through time, drying and handeling.

I would confess my sins and try an redeem my soul but a) you havent got a spare year and b) this is a family site and stu wouldnt thank me for telling of my heinous exploits here.

Back to fungus - thinking about it i'm not sure about the skin absorbrtion issue - I know this is an issue with some reptiles like poison arrow frogs so I guess it could happen - funguy john would know if I'm right or not - think I'll pm and ask

Discoloration and drying are certainly issues long term - i dont know if it would be possible to replant them in a peat mix to keep them alve for longer - I'm not an expert so am talking on empty here. If FJ is reading this can you come and save us before I destroy the civilised world with my ignorance

[arvensis]

Making notes and taking photographs in situ certainly does help as features present when fresh maybe lost later. I suggest taking a mirror so you can look at gills/pores without pulling it up if you think you can make an ID on the spot.

I havent heard of any fungi being toxic through the skin but I could be wrong. I know that inhaling spores in a confined space can irritate the lungs- Oyster Mushroom is one such species that can do this.

As Nightshade suggests disposable gloves maybe handy if you feel the need from them. Keeping the fungus moist will help until you get it home. I understand about the rarity and not picking it part. That I feel can be a double-edged sword that in you don't know what it is until you ID it.

Mark

[FungiJohn]

Re fungi toxin through skin absorption.

The majority of fungi are microscopic (about 7000 known ones) The ones we see in the field are macro type i.e we can see them!

Here are a few common fungi related infections plus a website link if you you need more information .... and it is very interesting .... Well I think so

Thrush:

A common infection caused by candida albicans, which lives harmlessly on the skin, in the mouth, gut or vagina.

Ringworm infection:

body - tinea corporis
feet (athlete’s foot) - tinea pedis
groin - tinea cruris
hair (beard) - tinea barbae
nails - tinea unguium
scalp - tinea capitis



http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermF/FUNGI.html

Hope this helps.

John

[Chalk Downlanders]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Re fungi toxin through skin absorption.

The majority of fungi are microscopic (about 7000 known ones) The ones we see in the field are macro type i.e we can see them!

Here are a few common fungi related infections plus a website link if you you need more information .... and it is very interesting .... Well I think so

Thrush:

A common infection caused by candida albicans, which lives harmlessly on the skin, in the mouth, gut or vagina.

Ringworm infection:

body - tinea corporis
feet (athlete’s foot) - tinea pedis
groin - tinea cruris
hair (beard) - tinea barbae
nails - tinea unguium
scalp - tinea capitis



http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermF/FUNGI.html

Hope this helps.

John

Yeah thanks John
You may be a fun guy but I draw the line at picking Thrush, Tinea cruis and the rest from anyones body to photograph them. Don't think my 105 Sigma will focus........
Sorry, will have to end this train of thought as I have a very active and visual imagination.