For All Newbies!

[jonbem]

A couple of years ago I was a Newbie. Now I am confident of identifying around 2 dozen fungi "in the field" out of the thousands out there. But I keep trying.
I am sure that as time goes on my knowledge will increase to allow me to narrow down taxonomic family, and other associated characteristics, but it will take years. There is no "quick fix".
I have joined my local fungus group and attended a couple of forays/meetings. The experience you get there is invaluable. I have bought or had bought for me several books, and of course I use this and other sites.
Please read the "stickies" especially That time of year again and Is my fungus edible or psychotic requests and on this I think it is best to learn more about what is not good, then on the odd occasion you find something that is good then that is a bonus.

Follow the tips and hints given, use the books and research resources, try to take good pics, then post with an attempt at your own ID of a subject fungi. I am sure that will elicit more and better responses from the members with more experience. Much more than just "ID please" !!!!!
If in doubt, buy from the supermarket!

Good luck

[Ditiola]

Some very useful beginners advise from Jonbem

I have been studying fungi (with a microscope) for 30 years and I still struggle!

Of the (around about) 3,000 larger fungi in the UK only a small number can be confidently identified from photographs and then usually only if it is a good photograph/s showing most of the features, However, luckily quite a few of our commonest fungi come into this category. The number that can be identified this way can be increased dramatically if detailed information of all the macroscopically features accompany the photographs, however, even then, if we say that around 200 (an approximate figure plucked out of the air!) fungi can be identified this way, it would still leave around 2,800 requiring detailed study with the microscope.

Below is part of the editorial from the magazine Field Mycology Vol.12 and sums it all up quite well.

"For the beginning mycologist just starting out on their journey into this challenging science these difficulties can seem almost insurmountable and many fall by the wayside. They become disheartened and frustrated at the difficulties of identification and by the plethora of new names and changes to established old names that seem to occur on an almost monthly basis.
I wish I had an easy answer or solution to this problem but I don't. Mycology is a difficult branch of natural history; in terms of species delimitation and identification one of the most difficult there is. The sheer plasticity of form and colour of most agarics for example, is something most naturalists are not used to. Fungi seem able to change shape and colour at the drop of a hat and usually require the use of a microscope to arrive at any definite answer.
If you stick with it however, and are willing to use a microscope and purchase some essential refer¬ence works then it does become easier. You will find your 'hit rate' of successful identifications gradually increases and before you know it you will be identify¬ing rarities and perhaps even a new British species or two. Fungi are so beautiful, so amazing and so intriguing that they deserve all of the effort and study required to name them. It is still the case that most taxonomic mycologists in Britain today are not professionals. They all began the same way, as complete beginners, but it was their perseverance and continued curiosity that helped them develop their skills and knowledge and helped them attain their level of expertise.
Long may the amateurs of this country continue to study, write and take joy in this most rewarding of subjects."
(from the editorial by Geoffrey Kibby: of Field Mycology Vol.12)

[waynehicks1]

I'm definitely getting the feeling now that there comes a time when the keen amateur looks over his/her shoulder and sees the inescapable monster that is microscopy in hot pursuit, woooooohahahahaha

[JAJ]

Thanks for the words of advice.

Approaching any new subject can be a daunting and often mind-boggling experience; until we come to terms with the parameters of its overall context. Just the contes and codes of mycology alone, are enough to keep any newbie interested in the study of fungi well on their toes.

Please excuse use newbies when we miss pronounce, miss identify, or simply cannot label the specimen accurately from just a photo (and ask for help). It is ALL part of the wider process of learning, until we move onto taking spore samples and recording information more scientifically.

BIG Thanks to the mods and bods (serious fungi intellects all) for donating their wisdom and time (and head banging sometimes) in such a process. It has helped me learn lots already as I'm sure it has and will do many others. So thanks

Peace J

[PMG]

Originally Posted by waynehicks1

I'm definitely getting the feeling now that there comes a time when the keen amateur looks over his/her shoulder and sees the inescapable monster that is microscopy in hot pursuit, woooooohahahahaha

If you don't want to do it - RUN FASTER - Mwahahahahaha

Pauline

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by waynehicks1

I'm definitely getting the feeling now that there comes a time when the keen amateur looks over his/her shoulder and sees the inescapable monster that is microscopy in hot pursuit, woooooohahahahaha

Originally Posted by PMG

If you don't want to do it - RUN FASTER - Mwahahahahaha...

I Know that feeling - and I must not have run fast enough.

Nowadays, not only is there the photography to think about - but also the carrying of little pots and tubes - and hours of peering down the microscope at strange looking things -trying to decide if they bear any resemblance whatsoever to the microscopic characters described in the books.

Often, I get the feeling that the people who describe and illustrate these microscopic features are actually graphic artists for science fiction productions. - Because what I see down the tube very rarely seems to conform to anything like the illustrations and descriptions would suggest.

Regards,
Mike.

[waynehicks1]

Ultimately, my curiosity and thirst for knowledge are contriving against me to turn my legs to lead. I think the day I stop running maybe closer than I want to admit...

For now though, I'm learning everyday and enjoying the process. I'll second JAJ in thanking all those who dedicate so much of their time helping us novices out, putting up with our constant querying.

Regards

Wayne

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by PMG

If you don't want to do it - RUN FASTER - Mwahahahahaha

Pauline

trouble is, Pauline, in the long run (geddit?) it's a bit like encouraging birdwatchers to go out without binoculars . . . .

Chris

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

trouble is, Pauline, in the long run (geddit?) it's a bit like encouraging birdwatchers to go out without binoculars . . . .

Chris

A bit pointless eh

Pauline

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by PMG

A bit pointless eh

Pauline

no - there'd be birds you can recognise without bin's, and if they sang or called there'd be others of course . . . . but for the majority (and of course with fungi that's a big majority - that's where the birds analogy stops) you'd be stuck

continuing this clunky analogy there would also be the problem that two thirds of the birds you might see aren't even in any of the popular books . . . .

to quote from Geoff Kibby again - "Mycology is a difficult branch of natural history; in terms of species delimitation and identification one of the most difficult there is. The sheer plasticity of form and colour of most agarics for example, is something most naturalists are not used to." (my underlining); Geoff is recognising that most people who get into mycology are not starting there - they have arrived via birdwatching, botany, or what I would call entomology-lite (i.e. butterflies, dragonflies and, possibly, the macro moths) and the jump is a very big one . . .

this is why I have played up the Fungal Plant Parasites theme, because you can recognise many of these fungi without a 'scope or anything more than a handlens (and for anyone without one of those - that's the door over there → ) plus a decent knowledge of flowering plants

I've nearly finished updating my rusts article, and will let people know when it's ready for distributing (free!)

Chris