FUNGI—FRIEND OR FOE

NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ON THE Fungi Studies

The Hairy Fringed Mushroom-Tricholoma rutilans-This common name is derived from the tiny, reddish, thread-like hairs covering the top of the cap. This species is restricted to conifer wood and is edible. It has a tendency to be odorous when being cooked, and somewhat paste-like but is reputedly delicious. Taken in the White Mountains during August, 1959. 34 x4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, ½ sec. at f.16.

Merulius lacrymans-No common name exists for this fungus. It causes “dry rot” of houses but may attack all types of wood. In past times, it has often caused the rotting of ships timbers and has therefore done untold damage to such ocean-going craft by causing sudden breakage of the wood on the high seas. It is not desirable for food since it forms only a thin growth over the surface of its host. Found in the White Mountains during August, 1959. Taken with 34 x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/10 sec. at f.16.

Stereum species-No common name known. Often found growing on the end of logs in the conifer forests. Because of the tough consistency of the fruiting bodies it is not edible. Found in the Chiricahua Mountains during August, 1958. Taken with a 34 x 44 Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, ½ sec. at f.32.

Inky Caps-Coprinus atramentarius-Commonly called “inky caps” because the fluid from this mushroom has been used as ink. The caps are a delicate silvery gray in color and are quite edible when fresh. This species has been reported to cause poisoning in people who consume alcohol a short time before or after eating the mushroom. Found in the White Mountains during August, 1959. Taken with a 34 x 44 Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/10 sec. at f.16.

Fly Amanita-Amanita muscaria-This is a deadly poisonous species which was once used as a source of fly poison in past centuries. Though beautiful, it has been the cause of several deaths throughout the U.S. The stem is white and swollen at the base with the cup forming rings around the stem. Found in the White Mountains during August, 1959. Taken with a 34 x 44 Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/25 sec. at f.16.

Purple Polypore-Polyporus species-The fruiting body produced by this fungus has thousands of tiny holes or 'pores” on its lower surface, hence the name “polypore” meaning many pores. Several species of polypores produce shelf-like fruiting bodies from the trunks of trees while others are borne on short stalks that grow upright from the soil. A few are edible but the one illustrated here is tough and undesirable. Found in the White Mountains in July, 1959. Taken with a 34 x4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1½ sec. at f.16.

Hypomyces lactifluorum-No common name. An easily identified species due to the bright orange color of the entire fruit body. The coloring is actually due to a fungus parasite on the host plant. The caps are from 3 to 6 inches wide and often are twisted into curious and tortured shapes. Photographed in the White Mountains during August, 1959 with a 3% x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/25 sec. at f.16.

Calvatia species-It is commonly called Puffball. It is edible but should be eaten while in the young stages when it is whitish throughout the internal areas. Some of the species may be poisonous. The spores are thought to have a narcotic effect upon the human body. The contents of such large fruiting bodies have often been used in past times to stop the flow of blood. Photographed in the White Mountains during August, 1959 with a 34 x 44 Speed Graphic Ektachrome film, 1/5 sec. at f.22.

Coral Mushroom-Clavaria botrytis-Resembling coral, this mushroom has massive fruiting bodies usually 5 or 6 inches across and 3 or 4 inches high. The color varies from pale tan to brown or ashy gray. They grow on decaying logs and stumps or around rotting dead trees. The corals are usually considered edible. Found in the White Mountains during August, 1959. Photographed with a 34 x 44 Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/10 sec. at f.16.

Sparassis radicata-No common name known. This fungus resembles a bunch of loose leaf lettuce. Its delicately formed fruiting bodies are found on decaying logs. It is one of the rare fungus growths. It is edible and considered an excellent species for human consumption. Found in the Chiricahua Mountains during August, 1958. Taken with a 34 x4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1 sec. at f.11.

Lepiota molybdites-No common name known. A very common mushroom found in meadows, pastures, lawns and grassy areas generally. This mushroom is considered a dangerous one since it is so similar to an edible mushroom but can only be identified through study under a microscope. The cap is white with darker scales. The gills are slate-green at maturity. Found on the Mogollon Rim during July, 1959. Taken with a 34 x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/10 sec. at f.16.

Mycena species-No common name known. Most species of the genus are small and rather fragile. They are not usually large enough to be eaten and their cartilaginous consistency makes them undesirable. Found in the White Mountains during August 1959. Taken with 3 x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1 sec. at f.11.

Fleshy-Pore Fungus-Boletus species-Most of the species of this genus are edible but those which discolor bluish when bruised or with red pores are sometimes poisonous. The one illustrated here is edible. They grow generally on the ground emerging through the leaves and debris on the soil surface. Found on the Mogollon Rim during July, 1959. Taken with a 34 x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1 sec. at f.8.

Russula species-No common name known. The various Russulas are one of the brightest mushrooms found in the forest. Their colors range from the brightest reds to green, purple, violet, and yellow. Some are edible and some are not. Found on the Mogollon Rim during August, 1959. Taken with a 34 x 44 Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/5 sec. at f.22.

Club mushroom-Clavaria truncata-This mushroom grows during late summer and early fall in cold wet spruce and hemlock areas. It has a wrinkled to smooth surface with the top tending to be flattened. Found in the White Mountains during August, 1959. Taken with a 3½ x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/25 sec. at f.16.

Red-Juice mushroom Hygrophorus conicus This mushroom grows with either bright red or yellow conical caps. Diminutive in size, strikingly colored, these mushrooms are usually found in grassy areas. When bruised it turns black. Found in the White Mountains during August, 1959. Taken with a 34 x4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/25 sec. at f.11.

Marasmius species-No common name is known. These mushrooms may be very tiny to medium-sized and often occur in great numbers during wet weather. Some species are terrestrial and others occur on wood, leaves, etc. Several are known to be edible but some may be poisonous and only those familiar to the collector should be eaten. Found in the White Mountains during July, 1959. Taken with a 34 x4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/5 sec. at f.11.

Caesars' Amanita-Amanita caesarea-The caps of this mushroom are orange-yellow and generally smooth on top. It has a stem sunken within the cup which it splits when it emerges. Found on the Mogollon Rim in July, 1959. Taken with a 34 x 4% Speed Graphic, Ektachrome film, 1/10 sec. at f.22.

Identification verified by Dr. Chester R. Leathers, Dept. of Botany, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.

plants or animals, and saprophytic, those living upon dead tissue.

Though botanically fungi belong to the vegetable kingdom, they are totally unlike our common green plants. Plants with green leaves contain a pigment known as chlorophyll. This substance, acted upon by sunlight, manufactures starches, sugars and other carbohydrates, from carbon dioxide in the air combined with water and minerals in solution taken from the soil by roots.

The fungi, however, have no chlorophyll. They most obtain their organic food ready-made, either from a dead, or a host plant, such as though it were to be selected from an autonet.

Thus, living only upon dead tissuo, or absorbing tiwir host, they can only destroy, esusing decay, the end resolt with which we are familiar.

The fungi, plant, known to scientists as mycelha, is hidden in recesses beneath bark or cavities within trees, cracks or hollows in fallen logs, covered by leaf daff or debris, or other decayed material. The organism is composed of a mass of loosely arranged threads whore a spore has previously germinated. In time, these threads usually form a whitish colored mut upon the host tree, or upon dead tissue.

Without roots to obtain nourishment, their growth processes are much different than green plants. To digest the host or dead tissue, enzymes are exuded on the outside surface of the mycelium threads. This breaks down and digests the material. At the same time, this matter is absorbed in solution by the mycelium, and thus, used to provide food for the life cycle of the fungus, and into the formation of mushrooms or other fruiting bodies, the visual portion of the plant which we see emerging from the ground, or growing from trees.

The spreading growth of mycelian can be easily observed in mold developing upon jams and other foods exposed during warm, humid weather. Unique evidence of this outward growth is also manifested by the "fairy ring" mushrooms which grow each year in an ever increasing circle. Scientists have calculated from the yearly spreading diameter of these rings that their mycelium must be as old as four hundred years. Living from season to season, mycelium is protected from even hard frosts by soil, dead leaves, or wood in which it lives.

On the other hand, the mushroom or fruiting body of the mycelina literally springs up overnight when temperature, rainfall and humidity provide the right conditions. After absorbing great amounts of moisture, knots appear on the branching myceliuma. Quickly swelling, these knots burst from the ground in a button-like shape. While forcing its way to the surfac surface, the button exerts enormous pressure, enough to break asphalt pavement or cement sidewalk should its mycelium be below. Generally, the birth of a mushroom is somewhat analogous to the opening of an umbrella. As the button enlarges, it splits open the veil, the outer wrapping. Stem and cap shoot upward, flattening out until it does rese ble a parasol. On the underside of the cap, gills radiate ourward from the stem like spokes of a wagon wheel. At maturity, which may be an interval of only a few hours from the time the butron broke through through the soil, gills drop spores, literally billions of them. Falling downward, they are caught by the wind and borne away to other likely places where the process is repeated.

In the polypore species, spores are produced in tiny round tubes instead of gills. As their name implies, these fungi growths have hundreds of tiny holes located on the underside of the fruiting body. The tubes are parallel to each other, and must be precisely vertical in order to drop the spores through the hole and onto the ground.

Scientific researchers have long used polypores in laboratory experiments to transmit parallel light beams, since no man-made contrivance has been able to beam light as accurately. Fungi spores are so minute that a high-powered scope must be used to examine them individually. By making spore prints, however, they may be seen in mass. It is an easy experiment. Merely cut off the stem and place the fruiting body on a piece of absorbent paper, spore side down. It is wise to cover the mushroom with a glass or bowl to keep air currents from disturbing the fall of the spores. Since the colors of the spores are often different from the gills, specimens should be placed on both black and white paper. Two prints will assure an easier and more accurate identification. No two fungi species will produce the same type of print. After the mushroom has been left on the paper for about two hours enough spores will have fallen to make the identification. However, if a more lasting print is desired it is better to leave it eight to ten hours. By spraying it with lacquer, the print will be ready for mounting or for scrapbook use.

With each species producing its own design and color, this is an easy aid in identifying fungi scientifically, as well as offering an artistic sidelight, one which the whole family can enjoy.

Mushrooms are extremely short-lived. Some species last only a few hours and are as fragile as they are ephemeral. Predominately composed of water, they bruise and deteriorate rapidly.

Configuration and colors are in the thousands. Some species are as delicate as old lace and less than an inch in height, while the gigantic puff balls of the Middlewest may be larger than a basketball and weigh as much as twenty pounds.

Some mushrooms may be handsome, while others may be equally as ugly. By some misnomer it is the latter which the uninformed usually refer to as toadstools. There is no scientific foundation or meaning in this term. Indeed, it is erroneous to consider the degree of fungi beauty as a reliable index in distinguishing the poisonous from the nonpoisonous.

The stately amanitas, for example, range from vivid scarlet to an unethereal white. Usually growing solitarily, or several in a loose cluster, they represent a handsome group, but are deadly poisonous. In the past, the fly amanita was commonly used in Siberia as an intoxicant. Such binges have killed many people. In fact, the Russian Czar, Alexis, is supposed to have died from this mushroom's effect. The white amanita, one of the most exquisitely proportioned mushrooms, is often referred to as the "death angel."

None can be distinguished by arbitrarily labeling those as toadstools, or these as mushrooms according to their form or color.

Some of the edible mushrooms are also some of the ugliest.

Mushrooms have been highly prized as part of man's diet for centuries. They were are mentioned as being used, as food in the Jewish Taland. Brdo, early Chaldeans used muslupants in thực đến. The cating of mushrooms the caine high fashion for the Romses, Special vessels were designed for cooking mushpoonst in fact, mushrooms were thought of so highly that a post of that day com posed verses about a mushroom howl which had lost kaste by being used for boillag "lowly" benssel spcons.

Mushrooms have always always been a table, delicacy, though there have not been many treatises written about cooking them most comparatively recent times. This is probably due to superstition and inability to classify different fungi, perhaps by scientific analysis fa setting. Mushtroom gatherers just learned through heusty and visual observation. Here is one of the few recipes which have been handed down sa mushroom cooking, a rything canrury Fogliati diske "Luka adem fresh gathered and pot them the tween two dishes, ted sect them on à Chilling Dash of Cules, and there lem thean Stewe, and pott nothing to them in the first Sieving for they will Weald Liquor snough of them selves, and When all the Water is stewed out of them, power that Liquor Clame froth them and patt A good quantitye of Sallia Oyle ante τράτια απά taw them therein, Wringe in the joyos of pos or two Lemmons, or ese pare in some Vinnegoz and pute in a Bittle Nissquery and so bar shome Ablades af Mace If your Lord or Lady Loves nou Oyle, Stend thena with a Little Sweete Better enda hale White Wine"

It's charming that the modern lady would find this as tasty a dish as the Lord and Lady did three hundred years ago.

Mushrooms are grown commercially throughout the United States and sold by supermakets. Planted in treys, the grocery store variety are factored in especially designed and temperature controlled buildings. In Europe, mushrooms are often grown in caves. Belgium, and Pevače propose acres of madracias in underground exveen, where many men are employed to baki-vous, harvest, and pack these delectable tidbits for market. There are see in Enrope, people who professionally gather mushrooms from the open open, felde azed wooda and supply, rorless with their Ends Allusitcom gourmets have their own tests and rules for detecting the dangerous slediles from the edible varieties. There are those who look for mushrooms with Đây pink gills. Thene are ochats who sonk the fangi overnight in a solution of salt water. If the mushrooms ban dack this los proved they are poisonous, Achet fest that if mushrooms left soaking in vinegar water leave a milky residue they are stobedible. Some even vest che fungi with diveryste on the suppostion that the silver carnishes the mahtoon de mahroom is poisonous, All of these rules-of-thumb của họ clused a "old Cards M. Cosinmen. Ant. Fist of Phone Pathology, Univ. o Minnesons, COMMON EDIBLE, MUSHROOMS, LE MUSHROOMS, 1924 Univ.. of din Press, Repedond rose Chun. T. Branford Co., Newman Carti, Mesi, 1924.

wives sales" To rely solely on any of these so-called rules may lead ve severe or even furad illness. There are so many hundred species of mushrooms, and never fang with just as many varieties and vacances that there is only one safe very to determine edibility. Memorice all playst adi fentistes of any species that is home to be edible Then as an extes precautionary tomass, take sooml mushrooms as a sampling sod let a known expert identify them. Thus, there will be no gustus thông vâng thei savory sauce over the dione steak, Although mushrooms are principally eaten for their tantalizing flavors, science has recently found evidence that they are quite a nourishing food as well. The more commonly cultivated species consist more copper and iron in assimilable form than many common foods. There are considerable quantities of riboflavin and nicotinic acid along with nearly four percent protein.

Possible lines of research are possible when studies show the effects of fungi in man's diet. Scientific research, has indicated that perhaps in the future fungi will be a great source of food because of the fast and easy growth. In experimental studies, medical research also showed that several fungi plants produce antibiotic substances, and some may even help in inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells.

In research concerning fungi in the Southwest, Arizona, is fortunate in having a dedicated scientist, Dr. Chester R. Leathers, Professor of Botany, Arizona State University. He has embarked on the identification, study of Arizona's fungi flora. Until Dr. Leathers came to Arizona three years ago this field was virtually untouched. A huge herbarium has been started at Arizona State University, where Dr. Leathers hopes to catalogue all of the thousands of different species, as well as the edible and poisonous fungi found in Arizo Working under a National Science Foundation Grant, Dr. Josiah L. Lowe, NY State College of Forestry at Syracuse, conducted the first extensive collection tour of these rooting fungi, in Southeastern Arizona, a task which had never been attempted before. Another able mycologist, Dr. R. L. Gilbertson, who teaches at the University of Idaho, assisted in this worthwhile project Collecting and classifying fungi in this portion of Arizona, their special emphasis was on the Chiricahua Mountain region. This area offered a gamut of fungi growths from low deserts to altitudes up to 9700 feet. In four weeks time of intensive collecting, Dr. Lowe and Dr. Gilbertson catalogued more than three significant fungi including a few entirely new to s Specimens of all their collections were to sent to Syracuse where they were rechecked for classification and then broken into small samples and sent to all major museums throughout the world. Cultures of each pure fungi material were also sent to the Forest Pathological Laboratories in Beltsville, Md. There they are kept in sealed vials as reference material to be compared with scheduled trans-sterilized fungi.

These men have have just searched the surface in this far-cimiting work. With plenty room for more researchers in Arkroon's newest fyntler, the efforts of these scientists will sine day show the complete complete dobic debica and credit ledger on the fungi that fungi are both friend and fon and that che caract exist vekhout the othe

YOURS SINCERELY CONVENTIONS:

GRAND CANYON:

What a wonderfully satisfying experience is your June issue on my favorite subject, the Grand Canyon. I took it to bed to read, and when I finished it at one A.M. I got up, dusted off my hiking boots and started a list for a trip! I have been to the Canyon many times, but the pull to go back and back is always present. The very fine writing and thinking of Frank Waters is a joy. I intend to get all of his books, and shall look forward eagerly to his forthcoming work on the Hopi Indians of Northern Arizona.

GOOD WILL AMBASSADOR:

MICHIGAN'S EDGAR A. GUEST:

BACK COVER

"VERDE VALLEY FROM MINGUS MOUNTAIN" BY WILLIS PETERSON. This photograph was taken from the Mingus Mountain Overlook in Yavapai County looking down into the Verde Valley and to the Red Cliff Country of Sedona beyond. 34x44 Speed Graphic; Ektachrome; f.16 at 1 sec.; f4.7 Ektar lens; at daybreak on a spring day.

COMMUNION

I am small tonight And heaven is farOnly GOD and I And the Evening StarThe perfumed breath From the heart of a rose Whispers to me: "He cares! He knows!"

KANGAROO RAT

What little sprite Goes skittering by? A wee kangaroo Three inches high, Golden above, Silver beneath, With sharp little claws And sharp white teeth And a long, extravagant Elegant tail That leaves cryptic messages On the trail. Hop to your nest! Run, don't walk! I see a shadow Shaped like a hawk.

FIRST STORM OF FALL

Astride a proudly-prancing wind The silver-armored rain Comes riding swiftly through our fields And down our tree-lined lane, To shatter lances with the sun And unhorse, if it can, Bright weather that's been champion Since Summer first began.

SKY, STARS AND SAND

So many stars are tossed in that blue sky up there, would one be missed? I need a small one for my hair. Some nights in this dear desert, the stars seem to lean down and want to talk to me I sense, but hear no sound.

OPPOSITE PAGE

"DOWN SYCAMORE LANE-AUTUMN" BY PAUL JARRETT. Photograph taken approximately one mile down. Sycamore Canyon from Sunflower, Ariz., which is on the Beeline Highway between Payson and Phoenix. Of this photograph Mr. Jarrett says: "Several years ago when the new Beeline Highway was under construction we saw a trailer camp among the Sycamore trees across the creek from Sunflower. We drove over to see what was there and found a most beautiful spot among the trees. Each year since then we have returned to picnic in the area. There are many beautiful pictures to be had on Sycamore Creek, just a nice drive from Phoenix." 5x7 Deardorff camera; 4x5 Ektachrome Er; between f.8 and 11 at 1/10th sec.; 5-inch Dagor lens; mid-afternoon in early November; 133 meter reading; ASA rating of 12.