Mycological practice
Daniel Dvořák
In the field:
collect whole fruitbodies (important features for further determination)
if possible, collect representative material – young and mature fresh
fruitbodies (=not rotten, stale, very old, frozen etc.)
tiny and fragile fruitbodies put separately into boxes
larger ones wrap into aluminium foil (or into newspaper – not suitable for
sticky or slimy frbs.)
put into firm box, basket etc. (fruitbodies should not be smashed/damaged
or dry out)
it is better to assign number for each collection already in the field
collecting and preparation of fungi
information to be noted in the field:
topographical notes
ecological conditions in the locality:
• surrounding trees
• substrate (soil, litter, wood – in wood-inhabiting species collect a small
piece of wood for possible xylotomic analysis in the future)
some features, quickly disappearing/changing (esp. in small species):
• smell (check also gills and base of the stipe separately)
• presence of pruina
• hygrophanity
• lubricous, sticky or slimy surfaces (stipe of Hygrocybe insipida)
• veil
• colour of young, immature gills (later covered by spore print)
photographical documentation recommended
collecting and preparation of fungi
after returning from the field, if you are not going to determine collections
immediately (and sometimes even if you are), make a detailed description:
colour photo picture (if not taken already in the field) – take care about
proper setting of white ballance!
collecting and preparation of fungi
colour of the whole fruitbody and its
parts, observe under daylight if
possible (or use special lamp with
colour of the light similar to daylight)
note initial colour of the context and its
eventual discolouring
also surface of fruitbody may discolour
after handling, bruising etc.
after returning from the field, if you are not going to determine collections
immediately (and sometimes even if you are), make a detailed description:
colour photo picture (if not taken already in the field) – take care about
proper setting of white ballance!
colour of the whole fruitbody and its parts (observe under daylight if
possible!)
note initial colour of the context and eventual discolouring
also surfaces of fruitbodies may discolour after handling, bruising etc.
Ridgway R. (1912): Color Standards and Color Nomenclature. – Washington, D.C.,
published privately (by the author). 43 pp + 53 color pls.
Kornerup A. et Wanscher J.H. (1967): Methuen Handbook of Colour. Second
edition. Methuen Co., London. 243 pp + 30 two-page color plates. (1440 colours)
Munsell soil color charts, 1988 (205 colours)
Küppers H (2003): Du Mont’s Farbenatlas. (5500 colours)
collecting and preparation of fungi
„Munsell“ 1988
special colour charts can be used, where specific code is assigned to
observed colour (chromotaxy)
Ridgway R. (1912): Color Standards and Color Nomenclature. – Washington, D.C.,
published privately (by the author). 43 pp + 53 color pls.
Kornerup A. et Wanscher J.H. (1967):
Methuen Handbook of Colour. Second
edition. Methuen Co., London. 243 pp + 30
two-page color plates. (1440 colours)
Munsell soil color charts, 1988 (205 colours)
Küppers H (2003): Du Mont’s Farbenatlas.
(5500 colours)
collecting and preparation of fungi
Küppers 2003
Kornerup et Wanscher 1978
collecting and preparation
detailed description should also include:
taste (may differ in the surfaces)
smell (may change during drying)
morphological description (see later)
presence and character of the veil (young frbs.!)
colour of spore print – put a pileus on glass slide/white paper and cover,
let it lie for several hours
collecting and preparation of fungi
drying
electric drier or another source of heat (temperature should not exceed 50 °C,
ideally 30-40 °C)
- larger fungi cut in half or in large pieces
- dry into constant weight = totally! (fleshy fruitbodies and polypores dry for a
long time); afterwards fruitbodies can be exposed to humidity for a while (to
lose fragility)
- pack into newspaper/paper envelope or zip plastic bag and put into an
envelope with label:
• fungus name
• locality, habitat
• date of collection, name of collector
slender frbs. can be dried in closed
box with silica gel (amorphous
silicon dioxide)
store in dry place!
conserving and storage of fungi
advantages: easy preparation, durability in dry conditions
disadvantages: fruitbodies dramatically change shape and colour
 used in most scientific herbarium collections (museums, universities)
drying
dried collections may be contaminated by moulds (when they get wet)
and, especially damaged by insects (moths, beetles)
especially sensitive are some polypores (Trametes), hydnoid species,
some gilled fungi (Russula, Lactarius etc.)  dezinsection is necessary!
(immedietely after drying + at least once per year):
- deep freezing: store several days in temp. < -30°C
- fumigation: CS2 (strongly toxic), PH3 (extremely toxic), other insecticides
- combinaton of both
conserving and storage of fungi
conservation in liquids
- many liquids used, mainly containing formaldehyde, acetic acid, ghlycerol
and ethanol
- stored in polyethylene or glass containers
advantages: well-preserved shape of fruitbody
disadvantages: too bulky, difficult transport, change of colours
 used mainly in the past for exhibition purposes
lyophilization
- drying in low temperature and low pressure (~in vacuum)
- dried material easily gets wet again (store in dry place!)
advantages: well preserved shape and colour
disadvantages: very high initial costs, relatively bulky (the fruitbodies do nt
shrink)
 scarcely used
conserving and storage of fungi