Newsletter of the North American Mycological Association
VOLUME 53:5 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013 www.namyco.org
!!! NAM A ARKANSAS FORAY, October 24-27 !!!
Registration for the 2013 NAMA foray has been increasing in the months following the
first announcements in The Mycophile and on our NAMA website http:/namvco.org/
events/NAMA2013/index 2013.html . Currently most of the deluxe rooms have been taken,
although there are quite a number of single beds still available. So that means its time to stop
procrastinating, and to get your registration and waiver forms in before its too late!
Word on the street and in the fields is that this first ever NAMA foray in the fertile Ozark mountain forests of
Arkansas is taking on the appearance of becoming a super-charged event and a shindig that you will regret
missing if you don’t sign up for it quickly, before all the beds are taken. Looking at the line-up of the myco-
luminaries on the list of participating mycologists, I understand why folks are excited about wanting to be part of
this historic foray To entice you to join us, we have a stellar faculty to help us identify our finds and to enlighten
us about their current mycological interests. They include none other than Clark Ovrebo, Alan Bessette, Arleen
Bessette, Andy Methven, Michael Kuo, Britt Bunyard, Tom Volk, Rosanne Healy, Jean Lodge, Walt Sturgeon and
David Lewis.
The potential is great that some new fungal species previously unknown to science will be found at this foray
The last weekend in October offers an excellent opportunity for more of my fellow mycologists to come to
Arkansas to see if they can find and collect a new mushroom or fungus that is currently undescribed. I know
you will enjoy collecting the mushrooms as well as all of the other events that make a NAMA foray an unique
learning and social experience.
So y’all come on down or up or sideways, from wherever you abide, and join me in the Natural State for the
forthcoming fun, fungi and frivolity that will transpire the last weekend in October at the Shepard of the
Ozarks conference center.
Jay Justice
IN THIS ISSUE
Last Call for NAMA Arkansas Foray.1
Forays and Events.2
Glinting Orange Ganoderma .3-6
Largest Ganoderma in the World.7-8
Medicinal Mushrooms.9-13
Pickled Mushrooms.14
NAM As 2012 Financial Report.15-17
Book Review: The Kingdom Fungi.18-19
Henry Pavelek Memorial Sholarship.19
Newton NM1 Portable Microscope.20-21
Forest Management and Biodiversity.22-23
Call for Mclllvania and Mycophile Articles.23
1
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
FORAYS & OTHER EVENTS
This section of The Mycophile is reserved for publicizing the annual
forays of NAMA affiliated clubs and other events you may be interested
in learning about. If you would like us to list your clubs next big event,
contact us with details you would like displayed here and send to the editor
dianna.smith@comcast.net . See also http:/namvco.org/events/index.html.
September 6-8: The New River Valley Mushroom Club in conjunction with the Mycological
Association of Washington (MAW) has an event at Mountain Lake, VA.
Eagle Hill Institute: Mycology Workshops in Maine, PO Box 9, 59 Eagle Hill Road, Steuben ME
04680. ( office@eaglehill.us , www.eaglehill.us )
September 8-14: Boletes of North America: A Field Seminar and Workshop with Alan E.
Bessette and Arleen R. Bessette.
September 12-15: Wildacres Regional Foray in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
September 21: Western Pennsylvaia Mycological Club Gary Lincoff Foray - North Park - 8 am.
There is still time to register. See Lincoff-Foray@wpamushroomclub.org .
October 3-6: The Missouri Mycological Society (MOMS) invites you to their Annual Fall
Foray at Mingo Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Missouri. See www.MoMyco.org for more
information.
October 24-27: Arkansas Mycological Society hosts the 2013 NAMA FORAY. Registration
and waiver forms can be found at http://www.namyco.org/events/NAMA 2013/index2013.html .
(Note: Membership in NAMA is required to attend NAMA forays. To become a member, please
see http://www.namyco.org/join/index.html).
January 24-26, 2014: The fifth biannual All California Club Foray (ACCF) will be held in
January 2014 in Albion, California. Chief mycologist, Dr. Terry Henkel, and grad students
from Humboldt State University will assist with taxonomy. This event includes catered meals,
comfy lodging, and mushroom hunts in the bountiful Jackson Demonstration State Forest
near Mendocino. This foray is open to any current member of a California mushroom club and
NAMA members. Cost is $175 per person and includes two nights lodging and all meals from
Friday evening through Sunday breakfast. Pre-registration is required. Registration and detailed
information can be found at: http://bayareamushrooms.org/forays/accf 2014.html
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
2
The Glinting Orange Ganoderma
by William Needham of the Mycological Association of Washington
The striking colors and varnished appearance of Ganoderma make it an attractive mushroom to
display at home. (Photo by William Needham)
Common Name : Varnish shelf, Hemlock polypore, Ling zhi or Ling chi (Chinese),
Reishi (Japanese).
The laccate upper surface of the pileus (cap) has the sheen of varnished wood; its
lateral single point attachment juts from the tree bole like a shelf.
Scientific Name : Ganoderma tsugae
The generic name is a combination of the Greek ganos , meaning ‘brightness and
derma , meaning ‘skin in reference to the glinting surface, or skin, of the fungus.
The genus of hemlock trees is Tsuga; the fungus is most frequently found on a
hemlock host. Ganoderma lucidum is essentially identical in appearance and grows
on deciduous trees; lucidum is Latin for ‘full of light, clear, bright’ - an additional
reference to the lacquered semi-circular cap, or basidiocarp.
3
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
(Ganoderma tsugae by William Needham)
The iridescent glow of this burnt orange bracket fungus evokes a numinous provenance that
distinguishes it from its more mundane polypore cousins. It undoubtedly caught the eye of
the earliest hominids who may have originally used it as an adornment to their environs; it
is collected to this day for its natural beauty. Its mystical appearance as an excrescence on a
tree bole prior to the advent of the understanding of the scientific age may also have led to its
association with local divinities, a sylvan gift from the gods. It is too tough to eat, but it can be
readily ground up for consumption; it has been in use in China as a medicinal tea for millennia.
It was listed in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing , which is one of the earliest Chinese herbal texts, and
dates to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220 CE). Paul Stamets in Mycelium Running notes that
“the earliest mention of ling chi occurred in the era of the first emperor of China, Shih-huang of
the Ch’in Dynasty (221 - 207 BCE).”
Ganoderma is “probably the most morphologically complex genus of polypores” according
to Chang and Miles in Mushrooms: Cultivation , Nutritional Value , Medicinal Effect and
Environmental Impact. Over 250 separate species have been identified; the taxonomy is based
on significant variability in both microscopic and macroscopic physical characteristics. The
proliferation of names is attributable at least in part to the global geographical distribution
of the fungus and to its extensive use as an herbal medicine. The advent of DNA analyses
has resulted in a significant reorganization of the original fungal taxonomy of Linnaeus.
A phylogenetic study of the Ganoderma genus based on mitochondrial DNA published
in the publication Mycologia in 2004 found that the 250+ species were in actuality only 6
monophyletic (from a single parent) groups. It is notable that strains of G. tsugae and G.
lucidum from both North America and Europe were found to be in the same grouping.
However, strains of G. lucidum from Korea and Japan were identical to each other, but different
from the strains of G. lucidum from Europe and North America. The study concluded that “G.
lucidum , the most cosmopolitan member of the Ganoderma , was polyphyletic according to
geographical origins.” This may have some significant implications for the burgeoning market
for Ganoderma products. A study conducted by the Taiwanese Biotechnology Research and
Development Institute in 2002 found that Ganoderma products were the highest volume
product in their health food market and that the most widely used raw material was
G. tsugae. The estimated annual production of the more reliable Asian G. lucidum was 4300
Metric Tons (MT) in 1997 (3000 MT in China alone) with a market value of about $1.6B.
One of the primary defining taxonomic aspects of the Ganoderma genus is the presence of
thick double-walled spores called chlamydospores ( chlamys is Greek for mantle - a protective
cover). These spores are highly protective against environmental extremes and help explain
the global proliferation of the fungal genus. Ganoderma fungi, once grown from the chlam-
ydospores, consist of corky, thick fruiting bodies that grow on hardwoods or conifers accord¬
ing to the species; they are in all cases a white rot, wood decay saprobe. A saprobe derives its
nutrition from dead plants - fungi that live on live plants are parasitic or mycorrhizal. This is
not to say that they are benign, as they can also infect live trees.
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
4
According to Bryce Kendrick in The Fifth Kingdom “ Ganoderma may not kill trees, but they
cause serious decays of both standing and structural timber. These rots cost us many millions
of dollars every year” There are white rot fungi and brown rot fungi; the color distinction refers
to what they don t consume rather than what they do. In other words, white rot fungi consume
the brown lignin (and some but not all of the white cellulose) so that the resultant decayed
mass is white in color. Conversely, brown rot fungi consume only the white cellulose so the end
result is brown.
The use of G. lucidum and G. tsugae in China from the dawn of prehistory with purported
benefits to health, life and longevity has resulted in the attribution of preternatural powers to
the fungi. The word ding in Chinese translates into something like spiritual, miraculous, and/
or divine and conveys a notion of its efficacy and provenance. This has been exaggerated in the
English rendition to everything from mushroom of immortality 5 to magic fungus. 5 From Chi¬
na, the beneficence of Ganoderma spread to the rest of Asia; in Japan, it is called either reishi,
which means something like auspicious plant 5 or ‘immortality plant, 5 or mannentake, which
translates to 5 10,000 year mushroom 5 The extensive history of the use of Ganoderma as part of
a long-term health regimen and the vast body of fervent, though hearsay, testimonials by its
users establishes at least the likelihood of a modicum of truth to its purported life extending
properties.
Assays of G. lucidum and G. tsugae over the past half century have revealed that they contain
a virtual pharmacological cornucopia of potentially beneficial chemical compounds. Over
150 triterpenes and 50 polysaccharides have been identified as being uniquely derived from
this fungal group starting from the first isolation of Ganoderic acids A and B in 1984 (these
numbers vary according to the source - Stamets lists 119 triterpenes and 100 polysaccharides
in Mycelium Running). Triterpenes are precursors to steroids in both plants and animals
and very generally have cytotoxic (cell killing), liver protecting and lipid lowering effects.
Polysaccharides are much more generic, consisting of long chains of carbohydrate molecules
such as cellulose and chitin. In the case of the Ganoderma fungi, the polysaccharides are
found to be carcinostatic; they inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. Laboratory studies of
the compounds that can be derived from Ganoderma fungi and their effects on a wide-range
of medical problems are legion and on-going. Anti-tumor behavior has been demonstrated
in ganoderic acids T, V, W, X, Y and Z, a property that is attributed to the stimulation of the
body's own production of lymphocytes as opposed to a direct effect. Ganodermic acid S
inhibits the aggregation of platelets and could thus be beneficial as an anti-clotting agent to
prevent embolism-induced strokes. In what may also be related to coagulation, Ganoderma
acid F acts to lower blood pressure. Several derivatives including Ganoderic acids R and S
and Ganosporeric acid A have been shown to improve liver function, a finding that supports
the traditional Chinese use of G. lucidum to treat hepatitis. According to Chang and Miles
in Mushroom, Ganoderma fungi were used in traditional Chinese medicine “to improve
intellectual capacity and memory, to promote agility, to lengthen life span, and to relieve
hepatopathy, nephritis, hyperlipemia, arthritis, asthma, gastric ulcer, arteriosclerosis, leukemia,
diabetes and anorexia.” The mushroom of immortality 5 may in some ways be true to its
5
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
(Ganoderma tsugae by William Needham)
metaphor in promoting longevity lending credence to (mostly Asian) health regimen of daily
Ganoderma tea to offset the ravages of time and age. While there is certainly nothing inimical to
this practice, a cautionary note is proffered: there is at this juncture a great deal of uncertainty
concerning geographic origin and species. In addition, the chemical complexity of the various
Ganoderma species is daunting and therefore attributing syllogistic relations to a specific disease
is at this point dubious. An elixir perhaps, but a medicine no.
This article first appeared in the January 2013 edition of The Potomac Sporophore newsletter of the Mycological
Association of Washington (MAW).
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
6
THE
LARGEST
GANODERMA
IN THE WORLD
by Lawrence Millman
from his newly published book
Giant Polypores and Stoned Reindeer
Near Alexander Creek, Alaska, there's a birch tree with a very large Ganoderma applanatum
growing on it. The size of the fruiting body is not two, three, or even four feet in diameter, but
approximately a quarter of a mile in diameter. Or so the Susitna Dena'ina who live in Alexander
Creek will tell you.
"A quarter of a mile?" I said to a Native man. "You expect me to believe that?"
"You don't have to believe it, but it's true," he replied.
Reputedly, the large Ganoderma in question — which the Susitna Dena'ina call k'adatsa (big
birch fungus) — is gifted with magical powers. If you cut off a piece of it and carry it around with
you, no harm will come to you. Or if you ignite a piece of it, the smoke will serve not only as a
mosquito smudge, but also as a smudge against anyone to whom you owe money — they won't
be able to see you, either.
But you can't simply cut off a piece of the k'adatsa and walk away. You have to leave some sort
of gift on its cap, maybe some unspent cartridges, maybe a recent copy of Alaska Sportsman,
or maybe a few coins. If you don't leave anything, you'll spend the rest of your life wandering
around aimlessly in the Alaska bush.
Needless to say, I was very interested in this oversize fungus, so I tried to get someone in the
village of Alexander Creek (pop. 40) to take me to see it. Everyone seemed either too busy for
such a lengthy expedition, which included a boat trip as well as an arduous hike, or they thought
the k'adatsa might be invisible to a White Man. One man agreed to be my guide, but only if I
paid him $5,000...in advance.
Finally, I had no choice but to play my trump card. Ganoderma applanatum is thought to be
medicinal, especially in China, where it's apparently used to cure rheumatic tuberculosis and
7 THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
(The Largest Ganoderma by Larry Millman)
esophageal cancer as well as to inhibit tumors. Indeed, Christopher Hobbs includes a reference
to the Alexander Creek k'adatsa in his book Medicinal Mushrooms.
"I'm suffering from gout, incipient madness, tonsilitis, chronic cynicism, and tick-borne
encephalitis," I told a potential guide. "A cup of tea from your k'adatsa may be my only hope."
I was directed to the Alaska Native Health Clinic down the street.
In the end, I had to be satisfied with a two foot Ganoderma
growing on a stump just outside the village. One evening I
visited it and, watching a storm of brown spores cascade from its
underside, I thought: How remarkable!
(The book is available only from Komatik Press (P.O. Box 381582,
Cambridge, MA 02238) for $20 postpaid or from Larry Millman at the
following email address: < Lmilhnan@comcast.net >)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
There is a piece of misinformation in Bill Bakaitis’ article which should be corrected, particularly
for the benefit of NY State mushroomers. He writes “we are likely to see enforcement of the
existing laws which prohibit the collection of even the ‘fruits’ (e.g. mushrooms) of forest products.”
Inasmuch as he is a New York resident and alludes to “the public land areas available in the
Catskills and Adirondacks” he is no doubt referring to the laws of NY State. This information is
outdated since the DEC conservation laws were altered, with little fanfare, in 2010 and now read
“ 190.8g. No person shall deface, remove, destroy or otherwise injure in any manner whatsoever
any tree, flower, shrub, fern, fungi or other plant organisms, moss or other plant, rock, soil, fossil
or mineral or object of archaeological or paleontological interest found or growing on State land,
except for personal consumption or under permit from the Commissioner of Environmental
Conservation and the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to section 233 of the Education
Law .” (Emphasis mine.) This may be viewed on the DEC website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/
regs/408l.html . Previously, the wording was the same, only the underscored phrase having
been added. This is clumsily written, but the intent is clear. Collecting mushrooms for “personal
consumption” is permitted only all NYS DEC lands; although the phrase is vague, the parameters
of personal consumption have not been quantified, and are therefore open to interpretation,
which may someday be tested in court if applied too stringently. So far as I am aware, no citations
have been issued for over-collecting. Whether this change in the law also applies to NYS parks is
not established, and is a legal question on which I am not qualified to comment. However, in my
experience, establishing good relations with local authorities of particular parks can go a long way
to obtaining permission for reasonable collecting practices. (A permit to enter DEC property is
needed only on Long Island.)
Joel Horman, LIMC
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
8
Lesser Lights of the Fungal World:
A Bioregional Approach to Medicinal Mushrooms
Robert Dale Rogers, RH (AHG)
e clinical use of medicinal mushrooms
by herbalists is increasing each year, due in
part to an excellent number of good books
on the subject. Medicinal Mushrooms by
fellow Guild member Christopher Hobbs
remains a classic to this day (Hobbs 1995).
Since that publication, the use of mushrooms
for health and culinary purposes has sky¬
rocketed. Twenty years ago, Agaricus bisporus
(button mushroom) was the one and only
choice in supermarkets. Today a wide range
of organic fruiting bodies are available,
including variations of the button (crimini and
portabella), Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster),
Flammulina velutipes (enokitake), and
Lentinula edodes (shiitake). In natural foods
stores, the selection can be nothing short of
amazing.
Where I live, in northern Canada, the
summers are short, and my cultivation of
mushrooms is restricted to one shiitake log
on the balcony of my condominium. On the
plus side, however, I live on the edge of the
boreal forest and within an hour I can slip
into wilderness where few people have ever
walked. The mixture of poplar, birch, spruce,
pine, and tamarack forests yield an abundance
of medicinal mushrooms that can be collected
and prepared as medicines for the long winter
ahead. Here are three of my favorite but less
well-known mushrooms with considerable
health benefits.
Ganoderma applanatum. Artist s Conk
Ganoderma applanatum (Artists Conk) is a
cousin of the more famous and well-researched
G. lucidum (reishi). Artists conk is a large
polypore growing in northern Alberta on large
mature Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar)
trees. Throughout North America, artists conk is
found on a variety of hardwoods. They grow quite
large and can weigh over 13.6 kg (30 pounds)!
The record is 52 kg (almost 115 pounds), with a
circumference of over three meters, found in the
mountains of Kuiu Island, southeastern Alaska, in
1951.
I use tinctures of this polypore whenever reishi
is indicated for a client. Studies have shown it
effective as an analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-in¬
flammatory, anti-tumor, anti-viral, blood sugar
modulator, immune tonic, respiratory tonic,
and agent for eye health (Rogers 2011). In vitro
studies suggest gram positive bacteria are more
sensitive to this mushroom than gram negative
(Smania 1999). Artist conks protein and sugars
significantly inhibit tumor growth and increased
levels of natural killer cell activity (Yong-Tae
Jeong 2008).
Dr. Ryan Drum, a noted AHG professional
member, reported using decoctions of artists
conk for treating Hashimotos thyroiditis. He
recommends 12 ounces of cool tea daily for three
_
Robert Dale Rogers is a professional member of AHG. He teaches herbal studies at Grant MacEwan Univer¬
sity and the Northern Star College of Mystical Studies in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Robert is an assistant
clinical professor in family medicine at the University of Alberta, chair of the medicinal mushroom commit¬
tee of the North American Mycological Association and serves on the editorial board of The International
Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. He has authored 14 books on bioregional plants and fungi. His latest is
The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America (North
Atlantic Books, 2011).
9
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
(Lesser Lights of the Fungal World By Robert Dale Rogers)
How to Make a Polvpore
Tincture
The following instructions are
for making a tincture from
polypore mushrooms like
reishi, artists conk, or amadou.
1. Finely chop your fresh or dried
polypore. For fresh, you may do
this by hand; dried conks will
probably require a band saw or
planer.
2. To one part by weight of
chopped polypore, add five parts
by volume of 95% alcohol.
3. Seal tightly and let macerate for
two weeks. Shake your mixture
daily.
4. Strain and press out the marc*.
Reserve the liquid.
5. Weigh the marc, place in a pot,
and add 20 parts by volume of
water. Decoct at a low simmer
until reduced by half.
6. Strain and press. Discard the
marc. Combine this decoction
with the alcoholic extraction you
completed in step 4.
7. Bottle and label.
*The term marc’ refers to the res¬
idue that remains after the liquid
is expressed.
days; then a break and repeat,
combining well with Lycopus spp.
(bugleweed), or Melissa officinalis
(lemon balm) for the former
condition, and with Rhodiola rosea
(rose root) and Fucus vesiculosus
(bladderwrack) for the latter.
Like various Ganoderma species
and a number of medicinal
mushrooms, artists conk is both
anti-inflammatory and immune-
modulating. In the biomedical
model, anti-inflammatory drugs like
cortisone and NS AIDS suppress the
immune system. Such drugs may
lead, over time, to auto-immune
conditions, where the body becomes
confused and attacks its own tissue.
But medicinal mushrooms, including
Ganoderma species, not only
provide relief from inflammation
and pain, but also inhibit
interleukin-2 secretion, suggestive
of immunomodulation. That is, they
help bring homeostasis to the body.
Therefore, think of this mushroom
for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic
lupus erythematosus, Guillain-Barre
syndrome, or erythema etiologies.
Furthermore, artist s conk and
lemon balm make a great anti-viral
combination for herpes simplex and
herpes zoster, taken internally and
used externally as a wash. Finally,
my good friend and mushroom
mentor, Martin Osis, decocts the
conk as a footbath to relieve the
pain of gout very quickly.
I like to gather the very young
conks during the summer, or the
soft, juicy new tissue forming an
annular ring. Although larger
conks may be just as potent, I
prefer new growth for making teas
or tinctures simply because they
are easier to process. I have made
tinctures from large specimens, and
or planer to be a good friend indeed.
Decoctions are easy. Simply add 3-
5 g of fresh conk to 500 mL of water.
Simmer on low heat for up to two
hours. The addition of Vitamin C
appears to increase efficacy. I add 1 g
of dried rosehips to this mixture; our
local species Rosa acicularis contains
7.1% ascorbic acid, along with
bioflavonoids and numerous other
compounds. Therapeutic dosage is
150-250 mL, two to three times daily.
There are many theories, or
opinions, on making a polypore
tincture. Here is my preferred
method, based on empirical evidence,
and lots of trial and error:
Take one part by weight of finely
chopped conk and cover with five
parts by volume of 95% alcohol. For
example, 100 g of material is covered
with 500 mL of 198 proof Everclear.
Let this sit for two weeks, shaking
daily. Then strain and squeeze,
preserving the marc. Take this well
pressed material and make a 1:20
decoction at a slow simmer. Reduce
volume by half, squeeze, strain and
combine this decoction with the
alcoholic preparation you made
earlier. Bottle and label. Therapeutic
dosage is 3-5 mL daily in divided
doses.
Ganoderma applanatum
(Photo Courtesy of Robert Rogers)
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
10
Fomesfomentarius, Amadou
Another favorite polypore of mine is
Fomes fomentarius (amadou or false
tinder conk). This perennial conk is
hoof-shaped and hardened.
Remnants of this fungi date back
to Mesolithic camps from 8000 BCE.
Hippocrates called it mukes and used it
in a manner similar to moxibustion for
inflammation and even cauterization. In
Slavic countries of Europe, the fruiting
body has long been used for infection
and inflammation of the gastrointestinal
tract. It has been used in various incense
mixtures to banish evil spirits and
purify the residence of the deceased
(Saar 1991). The Ainu of northern Japan
smudged the conk for similar purposes.
In northern Alberta, the Cree
powdered the conk, known as
waskaskwitoy, and applied it to
frostbitten flesh. They also cut strips and
burned it on skin, as a counter-irritant
to restore blood flow to area. They would
use two of these clam-shaped conks as
a vehicle for fire embers, which would
smolder without smoke for many days
of travel. The inedible polypores were
possibly thrown into soups and stews
to prevent spoilage and food poisoning
(Stamets 2005). I believe valuable
polysaccharides were released to help
optimize immune function through the
long, cold, and often brutal winters.
Oetzi, the famed Ice Man found on
the exposed glacial slopes of the Alps
in 1991, carried amadous dissociated
context hyphae as a fire starter. The name
“false tinder conk” refers to this use, and
this chamois-like material was soaked in
dung water to make it ready to receive
a spark. The context fiber is carved
from the layer just under the surface,
preferably from large, fresh specimens.
The material is stretched and teased as it
is cut, and large pieces can be obtained in
this manner. This pliable “felt” is used in
Romania and Hungary to manufacture
hats, vests and purses, and is prized by fly
fishermen for its soft, water
repellent surface.
In China, the conk was boiled and
tea taken for digestive stagnation,
as well as cancers of the stomach,
uterus and esophagus (Ying et
al 1987). Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) uses conk
decoctions to warm the lungs,
reduce asthma and edema, and for
other cold, damp conditions. In
Japan, it is known as tsuriganetake
and taken in tea form for colds, flu,
bronchitis and general debility.
Alcohol extracts of amadou
inhibit nitric oxide synthase
(iNOS) and COX expression via
down-regulation of NFkappaB,
suggestive of anti- inflammatory
and anti-tumor potential (Park
et al 2004).
The presence of antibacterial,
antiviral and antifungal activity in
amadou has long been recorded
(Brandt & Pirano 2000). A recent
study (Seniuk et al 2011) looked
at the water- soluble melanin-
glucan complex (MCG) in Fomes
fomentarius. In vitro, MCG
completely depressed growth
of Candida albicans. It showed
antimicrobial effect on Helicobacter
pylori identical to erythromycin at
all concentrations. High anti-HIV-1
activity, along with weak toxicity
against blood cells, make it a great
adjunct therapy for these difficult
infectious pathologies. Work by
Suay et al (2000) showed amadous
inhibition of two opportunistic
bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Serratia marcescens. The former
is showing increasing antibiotic
resistance and is a leading cause of
hospital-acquired infections in the
United States and Canada. Serratia
marcescens causes pulmonary
disease and septicemia in immune-
compromised patients.
Fomes fomentarius
(Photo by Robert Rogers)
11
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
(Lesser Lights of the Fungal World by Robert Dale Rogers)
Preparation of tincture and
dosage is similar to Ganoderma
applanatum above. Individuals
sensitive to alcohol may put drops
into hot water and allow it to
evaporate for five minutes before
ingestion. My own experience
suggests that glycerites produce an
inferior product.
Hericium spp., Lion’s Mane,
Coral Mushroom
My third mushroom selection, easy
to wildcraft or grow from spawn
plugs on logs, are Hericium species.
Known as comb tooth, coral mush¬
room or coral hedgehog, these are
some of the most beautiful, distinc¬
tive and tasty mushrooms of our
forests. Various species grow on
hardwoods or conifers, and are my
wife’s favorite edible.
They are usually insect-free and
have a satisfying chewy texture. We
have variations of H. americanum ,
H. coralloides and H. ramosum in
our area, with exact identification
somewhat difficult. The Gitksan
First Nation of British Columbia
call Hericium abietis , kaedatsots,
meaning “bird hat.”
In Japan, H. erinaceus (lion’s mane)
is known as yamabushitake, mean¬
ing “those who sleep in the moun¬
tains.” It is said to resemble the
suzukake, or ornamental garment
worn by Buddhist monks of the
Shugendo sect. In China it is known
as shishigashira, meaning “lion’s
head.” It is found on oaks in Cali¬
fornia and north into British Co¬
lumbia, but sometimes on maple or
beech trees. It is grown on a small
scale for the high-end restaurant
trade, and in French bistros it is
called pom pom du blanc, due to its
shape and color.
Lion’s mane is used in TCM to
improve digestion and for gastric
ulcers, as well as for its toning
effect on the nervous system. It
contains a number of polypeptides
and polysaccharides that enhance
the immune system, may help
restore or rebuild nerves, and
have been found useful in chronic
bronchitis (Wasser & Weis 1999).
Hericenones C-H, found in the
fruiting bodies, have been found
to induce the synthesis of nerve
growth factor (NGF). This helps in
the development, maintenance and
enhancement of important sensory
neurons and may be
useful in the amelioration
of Alzheimer’s disease
and similar chronic
brain-related disorders
(Kawagishi et al 1999).
Erinacines found in
the mycelium also
induce NGF production
(Kawagishi et al 1994).
Other work suggests that
erinacines are amongst
the most powerful
naturally occurring compounds
yet identified (Kawagishi et al
2004).
In one Japanese study, 50 of 100
patients in a rehabilitation hospital
received 5 g of dry, powdered lion’s
mane mushroom in soup. The
other 50 patients received placebo
powder. All patients were elderly
and suffering from cerebrovascular
disease, Parkinson’s disease,
spino-cerebellar degeneration,
diabetic neuropathy, spinal cord
injury, and various degenerative
orthopedic diseases. After six
months, six of seven patients with
severe dementia taking the daily
mushroom dose demonstrated
improvement in perceptual
Hericium coralloides
(Photo by Robert Rogers)
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
12
improvement in functional independence
measure.
A more recent study was conducted with 29 men
and women aged 50 to 80 years, all suffering mild
cognitive problems (Mori et al 2008). In
this double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled (PC)
trial, significant improvement was shown in the
mushroom group at eight, 12 and 16 weeks. The
dosage was just 1 g of dried fruiting body three
times a day in capsule form. All 14 who received
the mushroom showed improvement after three
months compared to placebo, but there was a
decline four weeks after supplementation
was discontinued.
The fruiting body may also relieve depression,
anxiety and insomnia in pre- and post¬
menopausal women (Nagano et al 2010). Thirty
women aged 35 to 46 years were given cookies
either containing 0.5 g of powdered fruiting
body or no powder. Four cookies were eaten
throughout the day. In this randomized, DB, PC
trial of four weeks, the participants filled out
daily reports using four outcome measures. These
were the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI),
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression
Scale (CES-D), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
(PSQI), and Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI).
The last was based on KMI but added items such
as cognitive function, hair, skin, lower back pain,
bladder and vaginal health measures. No change
was noted in sleep quality, but both CES-D and
ICI mean scores were lower in the group taking
enhanced cookies, compared to placebo. Anxiety
and depression were lower, as well as comments
associated with issues of frustration, palpitations,
and increases in concentration and incentive.
For gastric ulcers, decoct 30 g of dried fruiting
body in 500 mL of water for 10 minutes. Divide
in two doses and take 12 hours apart on an empty
stomach. Dried powder can be put in 500-750
g vegetable or gelatin capsules. Or, simply add
to your daily smoothie or cooked cereal, soup
or stew. Standardized extracts on the market
from commercial sources standardize to 0.5%
hericenones and 6% amyloban. You can tincture
the fresh fruiting body, and that is my favorite
method. Use one part by weight to three parts
volume of 60% alcohol. Dosage is from 5 to 10 ml
twice daily.
REFERENCES
Brandt C R, Pirano F 2000, Mushroom antiviral. Recent Research
Development Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy. 4:11-26
Hobbs C 1995, Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition,
Healing and Culture. Botanica Press, Santa Cruz, CA
Jeong Y et al 2008, Ganoderma applanatum : A promising
mushroom for antitumor and immunomodulating activity.
Phytotherapy Research. 22 (5): 614-619
Kawagishi H et al 1991, Hericenones C, D, and E, stimulators of
nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mushroom Hericium
erinaceum. Tetrahedron Letters. 32(35): 4561-4564
Kawagishi H et al 1994, Erinacines A, B and C, strong stimulators of
nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mycelia of Hericium
erinaceum. Tetrahedron Letters. 35(10): 1569-1572
Kawagishi H et al 2004, The anti-dementia effect of lions mane
mushroom and its clinical application -Hericium erinaceum-lioris
mane. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients. 249: 54-56
Mori K et al 2008, Nerve growth factor inducing activity of
Hericium erinaceus in 1323N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological
and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 31(9): 1727
Mayumi N, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Hayashi C, Sato D, Kitagawa K,
& Ohnuki K 2010, Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks
Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research. 31(4): 231-237
Park Y et al 2005, Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive
effects of the methanol extract of Fomes fomentarius. Biological &
Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 27(10): 1588-1593
Rogers R 2011, The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to
Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America. North Atlantic
Books, Berkeley CA
Saar et al 1991, Ethnolycological data from Siberia and
northeast Asia on the effect of Amanita muscaria. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology. 31(2):157-173
Seniuk O, Gorovoj L, Beketova G, Savichuk H, Rytik P, Kucherov I,
Prilutsky A, & Prilutsky A 2011, Anti-infective
Properties of the Melanin-Glucan Complex Obtained from
Medicinal Tinder Bracket Mushroom, Fomes fomentarius (L.:Fr.)
Fr. (Aphyllophoromycetideae). International Journal of Medicinal
Mushrooms. 13(1): 7-18
Smania A et al 1999, Antimicrobial activity of steroidal compounds
isolated from Ganoderma applanatum fruitbody. International
Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 1 (4): 325-330
Stamets P 2005, Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help
Save the World. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA p 224
Suay et al 2000, Screening of Basidiomycetes for antimicrobial
activities. Antoine van Leeuwenhoek. 78(2): 129-140
Wasser S & Weis A 1999, Therapeutic effects of substances
occurring in higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms: a modern
perspective. Critical Reviews in Immunology. 19(1): 65-96
Ying J et al 1987, leones of Medicinal Fungi from China.
Translated by X. Yuehan. Science Press, Beijing, China
Originally published in the Journal of the American Herbalists Guild,
Vol. 11, Issue 1. www.americanherbalistsguild.com
13
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
PAT’S PICKLED MUSHROOMS
By Patricia Guarino
Ingredients:
Wild mushrooms - preferably Hen-of-the-Woods
1 TBS Hot pepper flakes (to taste)
Mason jars
3 cloves Garlic (minced)
Kosher salt for washing (1/4 cup) & marinating
mushrooms (1 TBS)
1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar
3 TBS Olive Oil
Clean all the dirt off the mushrooms, and cut into small strips. Then fill a large pot halfway with
water and let it come to a full boil.
(To clean: Fill your sink with cold water, put the mushrooms in the sink & pour 1/4 cup kosher
salt over them. Quickly rub the mushrooms between your hands to get the dirt out then squeeze
out some of the water. Or use an alternate method).
Put the mushrooms in the pot of boiling
water, for about 10 minutes, then drain them
in a colander. When the mushrooms are
cooled down enough to handle, take a cotton
dish towel, put some of the mushrooms
inside, close the corners, and wring them as
dry as you can.
Put these in a clean bowl. Repeat.
Boil your jars and tops for about 30 minutes
Combine apple cider, 3 TBS olive oil, and
spices in a bowl, a bit at a time, to taste. Add
the mushrooms and let sit and taste for spice
level. Fill jar and add additional olive oil to
cover. Allow air bubbles to escape to prevent
spoilage. Refrigerate.
(Recipe from the LI Sporeprint , Vol. 20, Number 4, Winter 2012 newsletter of the LIMC).
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
14
A Look at NAMA’s Finances
By Herbert Pohl, NAMA Treasurer
NAMAs fiscal year 2012-2013 ended June 30, 2013.1 would like to give you an overview of
our finances for the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, and highlight some of the changes that
took place during the last year
To start out, I can report that NAMA is in a stable financial condition. Our cash account
was $62,667.96 plus a loan of $6,298.50 to the NAMA 2013 foray compared to $66,045.27 in the
previous year
At the Trustee Meeting in December 2012 in Scotts Valley California the trustees approved a
resolution to lower the membership dues; this resulted in a slightly lower intake of dues income,
($29,743 versus $30,155)
Carlene Cliver (Skeffington), after many years of faithful service, resigned as the custodian
of the education rental program. Her Education Bank Account has been closed and the amount
of $1,085 has been transferred into the NAMA general account. Steve Rock has taken Carlene s
place and has opened a local bank checking account with a NAMA seed money deposit of $100.
The Postal Service Account that had been used for mailing of The Mycophile had been
dormant for some time. The account was closed and the remaining fund of $789 was transferred
into the NAMA general account.
The 2012 NAMA foray, that was organized and managed by NAMA, provided a net income
to NAMA in the amount of $14,272. The foray committee presented a budget that was very
closely met by the final budget result.
The NAMA Endowment Fund received donations from members in the amount of $2,025
and $1,086 from the Silent Auction at both the NAMA and Wildacres Regional foray. The value
of the Endowment Fund as of June 30, 2013 was $66,776 with an average current yield of 3.45%
or an estimated annual income of $2,066. The original goal of the Endowment Fund was to have
it grow to $100,000 before tapping into it to fund any programs.
To clear up any misconception, the yearly donation of $2,000 given to the Mycological
Society of America (MSA) for the Fellowship Award has not come out of the Endowment Fund
but is still paid out of NAMAs general fund.
In January 2013 NAMA provided a non-interest loan to the Arkansas Mycological Society in the
amount of $6,298.50 as seed money for the NAMA 2013 Foray.
Previous Year Comparison
June 30, 2013 June 30, 2012
Checking/Savings
Education Comm Check Acct
90.78
0.00
Education Comm Bank Acct
0.00
1,038.45
TD Bank Check Account
62,577.11
64,217.78
US Bank
0.07
0.07
Postal Service Account
0.00
788.97
Loan Receivable
NAMA Foray 2013
6,298.50
0.00
15
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
NAMA
Profit & Loss Previous Year Comparison
Jul 12 - Jun 13
Jul 11 - Jun 12
$ Change
% Change
Ordinary Income Expense
Income
Donations Received
476.00
0.00
476.00
100.0%
Dues Income
29,743.44
30,155.24
-411.80
-1.4%
Education Committee
397.65
253.20
144.45
57.1%
Interest Income
0.21
2.68
-2.47
-92.2%
Mailing List & Label
0.00
125.00
-125.00
-100.0%
Photo Contest Fees
44.00
44.00
0.00
0.0%
Silent Auction Proceeds
893.00
0.00
893.00
100.0%
Total Income
31,554.30
30,580.12
974.18
3.2%
Expense
ACH Deposit
0.00
-0.23
0.23
100.0%
Administration Services
Comp. Foray Registration
2,765.00
0.00
2,765.00
100.0%
Executive Sec Expenses
827.05
494.65
332.40
67.2%
Executive Sec Stipend
5,000.00
5,833.00
-833.00
-14.3%
Menbership Sec Expen..
607.16
839.43
-232.27
-27.7%
President’s Expenses
210.03
393.28
-183.25
-46.6%
Treasurers Expenses
128.33
217.52
-89.19
-41.0%
Total Administrative Setrvic..
9,537.57
7,777.88
1,759.69
22.6%
Bank Charges
6.18
-56.15
63.33
111.0%
Dues Expenses
342.89
0.00
342.89
100.0%
PayPal Fee
304.63
82.91
221.72
267.4%
Program Service
Awards
0.00
200.00
-200.00
-100.0%
Cultivation
96.30
92.17
4.13
4.5%
Education
162.92
246.29
-83.37
-33.9%
Forays
0.00
5.00
-5.00
-100.0%
Knighton Award
305.00
0.00
305.00
100.0%
Mycophagy
146.69
128.57
18.12
14.1%
Mycophile
2,724.88
2,477.66
247.22
10.0%
NAMA Brochure Expens..
0.00
578.16
-578.16
-100.0%
Photography
470.73
450.00
20.7
4.6%
Scholarships
2,000.00
2,000.00
0.00
0.0%
Vouchering Expenses
4,715.20
6,060.00
-1344.80
-22.2%
Web Committee
79.00
596.40
-517.40
86.8%
Total Program Services
10.700.72
12,834.25
-2,133.53
-16.6%
Uncategorized Expenses
0.00
200.00
-200.00
-100.0%
Total Expenses
20,891.99
20,838.66
53.33
0.3%
Net Ordinary Income
10,662.31
9,741.46
920.85
9.5%
Other Income/Expense
Other Income
Endowment Fund Donatio..
2,025.00
5,152.75
-3.127.75
-60.7%
National Foray
73,598.50
7,542.73
66,055.77
875.8%
Regional Forays
9,075.00
3,319.00
5,756.00
173.4%
Total Other Income
84,698.50
16,014.48
68,684.02
428.9%
Other Expense
Memorial Expenses
200.00
0.00
200.00
100.0%
National Foray Expenses
59,326.12
2,340.00
56,986.12
2,435.3%
Regional Foray Expenses
8,481.00
3,262.00
5,219.00
160.0%
Total Other Expenses
68,007.12
5,602.00
62,405.12
1,114.0%
Net Other Income
16,619.38
10,412.48
6,278.90
60.3%
Net Income
27,353.69
20,153.94
7,199.75
35.7%
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
16
NAM A 2012 Foray Budget
Mission Springs - Dec 2012
Foray Costs & Profit
Budget
Assumed
Actual
Registrants
205
247
Faculty
20
27
Bus $1027 per bus x 2 busses x 2 days
$4,108
$4,260.00
15 passenger van $150 x 4
$ 600
$ 374.33
Gas for vans $50 x 4
$ 200
$ 78.18
Program (printing)
$ 350
$ 393.37
Souvenir - pin
$ 750
$ 0.00
T-Shirts (300)
$ 0
$1,937.98
Souvenir - Mushroom Inf.
$1,500
$ 0.00
Supplies/printing/ copies/mailing
$ 550
$ 456.75
Display/collecting expenses
$ 0
$ 120.52
Cooking Demonstration
$ 0
$ 82.01
Socials @ $5
$1,125
$1,179.59
Permits
$ 0
$ 203.00
Insurance
$2,000
$ 0.00
$11,183
$9,085.73
Stipends
$1,500
$1,500.00
Dye Workshop
Fees
$1,495.00
Expenses
$ 658.14
Profit
$ 836.86
Foray Balance
Total collected
$69,413.50
Paid to Mission Springs
$43,897.25
Foray Expenses
$ 9,085.73
Faculty Stipends
$ 1,500.00
Dye Workshop Expenses
$ 658.14
Income minus Expenses
$14,272.38
Three page analysis by Herb Pohl, NAM A Treasurer
17
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
he
KINGDOM
FUNGI
■■■■■
;¥ / The Biology of Myshrooms,
' i .Molds, and Lichens
STEVEN L. STEPHENSON
The Kingdom Fungi: The Biology of Mushrooms, Molds, and
Lichens
Steven L. Stephenson
2010 / ISBN 978-0-88192-891-4 / 272 pp. + 56 pp color photos
Timber Press (http://www.timberpress.com)
$34.95 (hardcover)
At first glance, I assumed this would be another book along the lines of Nik Moneys Mr. Bloomfield s Orchard ,
R.T. and F.W. Rolfe’s The Romance of the Fungus World , Elio Schaechter’s In the Company of Mushrooms: A
Biologists Tale , and George Hudler’s Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds. However, once I began reading, it
didn’t take long to realize that the subtitle is accurate and that the focus is more on the biology of fungi and less
on humans and their interactions with fungi than those other titles. Indeed, the stated purpose of The Kingdom
Fungi is “to introduce the reader to the biology, general structure, and morphological diversity of the ‘true’
fungi as well as other funguslike (slime molds and water molds) and not-just-fungi (that is, lichens) organisms
traditionally considered by the scientists (mycologists) who study fungi.”
The content is well described by the 12 chapter titles: What are fungi? Fungi that live in water; The most
ubiquitous of all fungi (principally the yeasts and molds); A diversity of form and function (within the
ascomycetes); Morels, truffles, cup fungi, and flask fungi; Mushrooms and other larger (basidiomycete) fungi;
Lichens—more than just fungi; Slime molds; The role of fungi in nature; Interactions of fungi and animals; Fungi
and humans; and Fossil fungi. A glossary, list of references, and index complete things.
The book reads rather like a textbook and the writing is generally clear and accessible. However, it lacks
the abundant supporting diagrams, charts, illustrations, and tables that would be integrated throughout a
typical textbook. Instead, it includes 124 color photographs, mostly of mushrooms and microscopic fungi or
microscopic features of larger ones, grouped into two glossy-paper sections (a cost-saving, but convenience-
reducing, move). While the photos are of good to quite excellent quality and admirably are reproduced at
generous size, they don’t provide the level of assistance that many readers will need to fully understand portions
of the text. For instance, it is nearly impossible to comprehend how a clamp connection forms without an
accompanying step-by-step diagram. Another hindrance for many readers will be that a basic knowledge of
general biology, such as an understanding of the concepts haploid, diploid , mitosis, and meiosis , is assumed.
Although a glossary is included, many of the entries will be of little help and one probably would need to turn to
a biology textbook or online biological glossary for assistance.
Overall, the information is sound and I noticed no major errors. However, Stephenson is a world expert on
slime molds and works far less with mushrooms and other “real” fungi, so perhaps it is not surprising that bits
of missing or misleading information have crept into a book that covers such a wide range of subject matter. For
instance, he gives an inaccurate characterization of the ericoid type of mycorrhiza. In one instance, he refers to
chytrids as plants. “Loss of the expertise needed to collect and cultivate truffles” seems unlikely to be a major
factor in the decline of their abundance in European markets. I find it hard to believe, given the incredibly high
prices fetched by the Perigord and Italian white truffles, that modern trufflers no longer know how
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013 i o
to find them or promote their growth in tended orchards. Far more likely is increased urbanization and all
that goes along with that (which is mentioned as a key factor), such as loss of potential habitat and increased
deposition of nitrogen, the latter of which appears to be the biggest factor in the historic declines in many
species of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms elsewhere in Europe. Scutellinia scutellata is said to be very abundant and
easy to identify, mainly because of its color and the eyelash-like hairs that adorn the edges of the cup. Actually
there are a large number of similar-colored eyelash-bearing scutellinias that can be rather difficult to identify
and many collections labeled “ Scutellinia scutellata ” on foray tables and lists aren’t that at all. Only a very small
number of species of Cladonia (those placed in the genus Cladina by some lichenologists) comprise the bushy,
much-branched types called ‘reindeer’ lichens, not all cladonias. Not all carbohydrates can be categorized
as “simple” molecules, and cellulose is an example. In addition, there are quite a few places where editing to
remove redundancy or to improve the flow of information would have made the text easier to understand. And,
surprisingly in a book written by a professional mycologist, there are several instances where the plural ‘fungi’ is
used when the singular ‘fungus’ should have been.
Admittedly, these are mostly subtle points that could be considered nits, and many would not even be noticed
by most readers. But that is the point. I think it is important for the information in books such as this to be as
accurate as possible, because the intended audience is largely folks who do not have specialized expertise in the
subject and are not likely to question details of the presentation.
Despite these issues, The Kingdom Fungi could make a good introduction to the fascinating biology of the fungi
for those who know little about it. However, if you already have a basic understanding and have other books such
as Bryce Kendrick’s The Fifth Kingdom , then I’m not sure there is enough new ground covered here to make this
a necessary addition to your library.
Steve Trudell
The 2013 Henry Pavelek Sr. Memorial Scholarship from the
North American Truffling Society
Henry Pavelek Sr. joined NATS in 1982 and soon was elected President. His energy and enthusiasm
for truffles and truffling provided much of the driving force that established NATS as a sustainable
organization. A scholarship fund has been established in his memory. Applicants should be graduate
students or outstanding undergraduates conducting research on physiology, taxonomy, phylogeny,
ecology, animal interactions, commercial harvest, or culinary attributes and uses of hypogeous fungi.
The scholarship for 2013 is for $1500. The recipient will be announced at the NATS December 7
meeting 8c potluck in Corvallis. The application form can be accessed by clicking on its link at www.
natruffling.org . The application deadline has been extended to Oct. 31.
Editor: I encourage mycologists and clubs to send your articles, recipes, puzzles, etc. for
possible inclusion in The Mycophile to dianna.smith^comcast.net . Deadline for the next
issue is November 1st.
Guidelines for submitting manuscripts to Dr. Michael Beugfor Mcllvainea can be found at
http://namyco.org/publications/mcilvainea/mcil instructions.html .
19
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
The Newton NM1
a portable microscope
with
great potential for
mycologists
Geoffrey Kibby
Two years ago fellow mycologist
Don McNeil told me of a new portable
microscope which was in development
by the Millenium Health Microscope
Foundation. It was going to be called the
Newton and was being designed for use in
the study of tropical diseases in countries
where full-sized microscopes were too
expensive or required mains electricity
which was not always available in the field.
I expressed an interest and started to
monitor their website. Two years went by
moveable
light
Figure 1. The Newton NM1 Portable Microscope
and still it said “In development.. ” Finally,
this year the microscope was released after extensive and very successful field trials and Don soon
acquired units for both of us. What follows is my experience and thoughts after using the microscope
for some weeks.
HISTORY
The Newton design team were inspired by, and based many of their ideas on, the old and sadly no
longer manufactured McArthur portable microscope, which many mycologists may be familiar with.
That microscope, although of an extremely high standard was too expensive for widespread use in
countries such as Africa, India etc and production had in any case ceased after its designer Dr John
McArthur died in 1996.
The Newton teams aim was to produce a microscope of comparable high quality and ease of use, that
could be powered by standard batteries and would be in a price range government institutions could
afford.
Following investment and funding by a number of agencies the research and development plus field
trials have finally been completed. For a more complete history of the design and development see www.
millenium-microscope.org.
DESIGN
The biggest challenge with any portable microscope is of course to reduce the size of the instrument
and this is achieved in this case by bouncing the light path backwards and forwards using a series of
highly reflective mirrors. Cambridge Optronics, one of the distributors of the microscope have an
excellent visual of this on their website www.cambridgeoptronics.com .
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
20
By this method the entire microscope was squeezed into a unit a mere 154mm long, 122mm wide
and 66mm high (Fig. 1.) and weighing just 480 g in its basic form! The body is made of what feels like
strong, polycarbonate plastic and the whole unit has a very high quality, precision feel about it. Three
objective lenses may be fitted from a choice of xlO, x40, x60 and xlOO, the latter being an oil-immersion
lens. The lenses are switched in operation by turning a wheel on the underside of the unit. Different
eyepieces from xlO to xl6 are available including the option of a 100 division measuring graticule.
RESULTS
Light is provided by a tiny LED light on a movable arm (arrowed in the figure above) and this is
fadeable by turning a wheel. In practice the lowest power was sufficient for most uses. Power is provided
by 3 AAA batteries or by plugging it into a computer or other USB power source using the cable
provided. The LED is very efficient and stated figures suggest a battery life of 300 hours at full power -
remarkable if true!
The whole kit comes in a very nice case with a shock-absorbing foam interior and this allows the user
to cut out extra slots to add additional items such as slides, droppers etc.
Other available options include an adapter to attach a mobile phone to act both as a screen and as
a camera. You can also fit a USB-powered video camera which replaces the eyepiece and enables live
images to be shown on a laptop computer. Fig. 2 shows
some Cortinarius spores taken via my iPhone - pretty
impressive.
The microscope is easily used hand-held or can be
mounted on a small tripod for longer use. The focusing
wheel is rather small and difficult to control under high
power and an additional, larger clip-on wheel is available
and should definitely be purchased.
As the microscope uses an inverted system with the
objectives below the slide, the slide and cover slip must
be inserted upside down also. This is tricky but gets easier
with practice. When using the xlOO oil-immersion lens
I find it easier to put the oil on the lens and then raise
it up to touch the cover-slip having first positioned the
mechanical stage into the correct position.
I find the microscope easy to use, giving very high
quality images for such small lenses. The click stops for
the three objectives could be made more obvious and secure - it is sometimes difficult to be sure the lens
is positioned correctly and this is something the manufacturer should address.
The light source is very bright indeed and often it is best raised slightly to reduce the light or you can
tape a piece of tissue over it to reduce the power even more.
The price of the basic NM1-400 unit is about £400, and for the NM1-1000 with the mechanical
stage and high power lenses around £600. For prices of the optional extras see the websites of either
Cambridge Optronics or GX Optical ( www.gxoptical.com ).
For a powerful, well-made microscope at a great price, to easily carry to forays etc or even use in
the field you need look no further than this amazing unit. I wish the company every success with this
remarkable product.
Figure 2. Cortinarius spores using the
Newton NM1 and an iPhone.
21
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
Traditional Forest Managment
Reduces Fungal Diversity
In the beech groves of Navarre a team from the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country has analysed the
influence exerted by forestry management on the fungi populations that decompose wood. There is a shortage
of dead wood in forests because fallen branches and trees tend to be cleared away. This wood, if available, ought
to be decomposing, as it is the habitat of many living beings like lignicolous fungi. These fungi are capable of
decomposing dead wood and turning it into organic and inorganic matter. So clearing away the dead wood from
the forests is ecologically harmful for the fungi. Nerea Abrego-Antia and Isabel Salcedo-Larralde, biologists in
the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country, have recently
quantified this effect on fungi populations that live off dead wood in various beech groves in Navarre. The main
conclusion of the study is that forestry and classical forest management are harming the community of saproxylic
fungi. What is more, the researchers have discovered that in the forests being exploited various fungi species are
disappearing and in some cases even whole families are affected.
The conclusion of the research is crystal clear: the clearing away of remains of dead wood is harming the
populations of lignicolous or saproxylic fungi. Nevertheless, Isabel Salcedo, director of the research, has qualified
this: “You see everything very clearly, but you don’t accept it that easily. The pre-hypothesis could be that as the
basic matter is lost, the environment will be directly affected. But the aim of our work is to prove it. In forestry
only recently did they start to notice this phenomenon, while in Europe it began to be proven scientifically about
ten years ago.” The work of the UPV/EHU researchers has focussed on the traditional exploitation of various
beech groves, and the result has been published in the specialised journal Forest Ecology and Management.
“It is a journal of great quality,” pointed out Salcedo. “In the field of mycology, the journals that publish the
description of species and systematics papers tend to have little impact; yet this one devotes attention to the
ecological approach and has a more universal influence. The works that analyse the ecological aspect have a
greater impact, and as far as we are concerned, it is usually quite difficult to get them published. But in this piece
of work we paid great attention to the statistical and ecological aspect, which has enabled us to get the paper
published in such an important journal.”
The analysis was carried out on samples from sixteen zones, of which eight are exploited and the other eight are
not. After the samples had been gathered, they were classified in accordance with a standard criterion that is used
by mycologists in this field so that the research can be repeated. “The first main variable to do the classifications
was the size of the wood remains in the debris. They are classified according to three sizes, from the largest to the
smallest,” explained Salcedo. “Normally the smallest debris in this classification is not analysed. Yet many fungi
have to be identified under the microscope, although there are known species that are very large, like the tinder
fungus Fomes fomentarius. But it is more difficult to gather samples of the rest and identify them, and it takes
longer.”
After the classification of the wood in terms of size, the next criterion is the level of decomposition. For each size
three levels of decomposition were established: the recently fallen, the ones that have begun to decompose and
the ones that are fully decomposed. “A more precise classification could have been made, but we found that the
levels of decomposition fitted well into the three groups.” The debris analysed was classified into nine groups.
After classifying the debris, the fungal species existing in each were identified, in other words, the community of
fungi existing in each twig. As far as possible, the “quantity” of each species is also established, even though this
is no easy task. As Salcedo pointed out, this last parameter is difficult to apply
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
22
The other European studies have concentrated on large-sized woody debris, which is why importance
has been attached to the volume of dead wood in the forests when it comes to preserving them.
However, according to the research by Salcedo and Abrego, the factor that exerts the most influence on
the diversity of saproxylic fungi is the diversity of the woody debris, not the volume of wood, in other
words, that the nine groups classified should appear the maximum possible number of times. “This
conclusion is a result very much to be taken into consideration in forest management,” stressed Salcedo.
At the same time the influence exerted by forest fragmentation on the presence of fungi is also being
analysed. Based on this research, the growth of the edge or intervening matrix which happens as a result
of forest fragmentation also has a negative effect on their diversity.
The main conclusion of the study is that forestry and classical forest management are harming the
community of saproxylic fungi, at least in the zones studied. The work of these UPV/EHU biologists
specifies the levels of this damage.
(From Science Daily ; July 26, 2013 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130726092358.htm)
Mcllvainea: Journal of American Amateur Mycology
- request for articles
Mcllvainea is an open-access, refereed journal for the amateur and professional
mycological community. It is published by the North American Mycological Association as a
rolling publication. Articles are published as soon as they have been refereed and approved.
Instructions for authors appear on the NAM A website www.namyco.org/publications/
mcilvainea/mcil_instructions.html.
NAMA plans to develop Mcllvainea as a tool to educate citizen scientists who can
assist with establishing a North American mycoflora. Mcllvainea will be a home for more
technical papers than those that appear in Fungi Magazine and Mushroom: The Journal and more
directed at the lay public than articles that may appear in Mycologia. Articles that review recent
developments in fungal taxonomy of Macromycetes would be particularly welcome. It could also
become a home for outstanding senior student research papers that may not yet be quite ready
for Mycologia. We encourage all NAMA members to be thinking about how they can contribute
to the North American mycoflora project and encourage you all to write up your research in
Mcllvainea.
Feel free to contact me about ideas that you may have for a paper.
Michael W. Beug
Editor, Mcllvainea
Professor Emeritus
The Evergreen State College
beugm@evergreen.edu
23
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
North American
Mycological Association
c/o Ann Bornstein
61 Devon Court
Watsonville, CA 95076 Change
Service Requested
THE
MYC@PHILE
Auriscalpium vulgare
The Conifer Cone Spine or Ear Pick Fungus
Photo and text by Tim Wheeler
This is a very beautiful little fungus and is easily overlooked. Its short
stature, dark colors, and caps barely the size of a nickel, make for a
boring intro. However, up close and viewed from below these little
fungi start to shine. The upper surface is kidney shaped, usually some
shade of brown, but often appearing whitish due to the dense covering
of hairs. The lower surface is pale, covered in short spines or teeth.
Spore print white. The stem is thin, off-centered and also hairy. This
odd toothed fungus, alongside just a handful of other species, are
important in recycling all those spent conifer cones.
THE MYCOPHILE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013
24
