Help for Fungi newbies.

TeresaW · #1 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 06:47 PM

This is just a suggestion, but as I have been here a couple of weeks now, there seems to be a little confusion as to how best to ask for help with ID, along with some terminology which I for one didn't recognise without looking it up.

So could some of the mods, longer term members and experts on here help us newbies out with some of the more common do's and don'ts when it comes to fungi identification. I know there is plenty of reference elsewhere on the site, but that only leads to more questions which could be better placed on a thread like this?

So how about we begin with, when submitting photo's of fungi for ID, what do you need to see?

What should WE be looking for when trying to ID fungi?

How do we take a spore print? (I found this out only yesterday, thanks to a book mum bought for me, and realised it was within my limited equipment to actually do this myself, but I'd rather hear it from an experienced 'voice' on here for the purpose of this thread).

What about the different descriptions of gills? What do they all mean, and look like?

Should we be disturbing solitary samples for the sake of an ID? If so, how far should we go?

I'm sure other newbies can think of questions they'd like to ask too...this is a more complex topic than many others when it comes to accurate or at least close ID.

TeresaW · #2 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Thank you Fungi(plural)John

for the new sticky at the top. This not only helps us, but helps you too.

FungiJohn · #3 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeresaW

This is just a suggestion, but as I have been here a couple of weeks now, there seems to be a little confusion as to how best to ask for help with ID, along with some terminology which I for one didn't recognise without looking it up.

So could some of the mods, longer term members and experts on here help us newbies out with some of the more common do's and don'ts when it comes to fungi identification. I know there is plenty of reference elsewhere on the site, but that only leads to more questions which could be better placed on a thread like this?

So how about we begin with, when submitting photo's of fungi for ID, what do you need to see?

What should WE be looking for when trying to ID fungi?

How do we take a spore print? (I found this out only yesterday, thanks to a book mum bought for me, and realised it was within my limited equipment to actually do this myself, but I'd rather hear it from an experienced 'voice' on here for the purpose of this thread).

What about the different descriptions of gills? What do they all mean, and look like?

Should we be disturbing solitary samples for the sake of an ID? If so, how far should we go?

I'm sure other newbies can think of questions they'd like to ask too...this is a more complex topic than many others when it comes to accurate or at least close ID.

Hi Teresa

Thank you for raising this issue. I've created a new 'sticky' thread

Help us to help you identify fungi

which hopefully will help. There is also a wealth of information within the fungi area of our reference section.

John

SheffieldLass · #4 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:59 PM

Maybe on the taste bit on the sticky thread there should be a caution about not tasting if there is any possibility of it being one of the very poisonous ones ....

Melanie

TeresaW · #5 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:03 PM

I agree there. It might be stating the obvious with most people, but there's always one..

FungiJohn · #6 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

Maybe on the taste bit on the sticky thread there should be a caution about not tasting if there is any possibility of it being one of the very poisonous ones ....

Melanie

Thanks Melanie, I'll update the thread with a cautionary proviso

John

FungiJohn · #7 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:46 PM

Just a late night thought

Would a 'WAB' recording template be useful?

John

earthdragon64 · #8 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Just a late night thought

Would a 'WAB' recording template be useful?

John

That would be very useful, I've been toying with the idea of making something similar for myself for when I go out on forays. I always seem to forget to note something down, usually the thing that would be crucial for an ID.

TeresaW · #9 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 04:27 PM

Good idea, I'm sure lots would find it useful, as I will.

solus · #10 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Just a late night thought

Would a 'WAB' recording template be useful?

John

It certainly would!

I ALWAYS omit to take note of the one (or two, or three, or more...

) vital pointers that might help in identification!

By the way John - I see that dodgy link I reported the other day on the "A-Z Alerts" topic is still there?