Mushroomers, like the species they study, often can be found in clusters. Consider the Minnesota Mycological Society, founded shortly before the turn of the last century, making it the second oldest continuously active amateur mushroom (mycological) society in the United States. Like many organizations, it has within it various specific interest groups. Of the approximately two-hundred members, some--'amateur mycologists'--are primarily interested in studying mushrooms from a quasi-scientific perspective, "mushroom collectors" like making lists or collections of the mushrooms to eat (i.e., for the pot). For still others, photography is their first love.
The society meets once a week during the prime mushroom-picking months in Minnesota: May, June, September, and October. At these meetings the president describes the mushrooms that members have brought in and that the Identification Committee has identified. Members describe their special mushroom finds and, in general terms, will tell where and how they found them. At some meetings, members give talks--for example, on cultivating mushrooms or mushrooms in other nations--or show slides. The examination of fresh mushrooms is always the main order of business. In addition to these meetings, the club organizes a number of forays, with two lasting over a weekend. The club also holds a banquet during January and has a mycology study group that meets once a month to examine mushrooms with the aid of microscopes and chemicals.
For most Americans, mushrooms are not a topic that commands great interest--they are considered nice on spinach salad or something children are told to avoid, or perhaps they are seen as homes for elves. But generally, they are out of mind and, as a result, out of sight. The slogan of the North American Mycological Association, "A world of wonder at your feet," is particularly telling in that a part of that world of wonder is recognizing that it has been at your feet all along. A prominent mushroomer recalls that, "I can't remember seeing a mushroom when I was growing up. When I went back to my grade school there was a hill where we played King of the Hill. I went back and it was filled with mushrooms. I didn't see any as a kid."
Novices are surprised at the number and types of mushrooms that now can be seen "everywhere." I know this to be true. There are over two dozen species of fungi growing in the yard of my home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Previously I knew of only one--a huge clump of Coprinus micaceus (a species of Inky Caps). Now I know them to be a fine edible; previously they were a nuisance.
For amateurs, one of the first (and continuing) tasks is to identify the mushrooms they find. Identification is difficult and uncertain, although there is often a strong desire to know "for sure" what a mushroom is--whether for the sake of the challenge or because the mushroom may actually be eaten.
Identifying a Poisonous Mushroom
For many new mushroomers, the first question is: "Can I eat it?"--a blunter version of the question is "What is this?" Not all amateur mycologists make this their central reason for joining, but few have no interest in this question. All know that eating mushrooms is potentially dangerous, especially given the publicity accorded the deadly poisonous mushrooms. In point of fact, perhaps because of the care that mushroomers take,
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