Funghi in the forest

[Mike Sales]

Fungiphiles might enjoy Merlin Sheldrake's book Entangled Life which tells you a great deal about the hidden parts of fungi.

Mycelium, Sheldrake says, is the tissue that holds together much of the world. The filaments thread through the soil, and through living and decomposing bodies, plant or animal. Each exploring tip is looking for water and nutrients, which it will begin to absorb, sending chemical signals to other parts of the network. In some species, scientists have also detected electrical waves. Other filaments nearby that receive these messages turn towards the nourishment. The network can store information. Scientists have tried removing the food source and severing all the connections. New filaments appear and set out in the right direction. It is hard not to call this “memory”.

The tips circulate “information”, and, in response, the mycelium makes advantageous changes to its behaviour. This is more than mere chemical reaction. Here is a responsive entity with interests that its actions can serve or harm. Sheldrake tries out the idea of swarm-intelligence, but a swarm consists of separate individuals, whereas the network of fused or entangled hyphae functions as a physical whole – or much more like a physical whole. Studying fungi makes these lines harder to draw.

[Audax67]

I'd love to pick some of the mushrooms growing at this time of year but don't because I fear identifying between edible ones and the poisonous is a dodgy task.
A friend has two beautifully illustrated books, photos and sketches but the photos in the two books look different. Neither he nor I feel we can risk it.

Years ago I saw a recall notice for one of those one-issue-a-month encyclopaedias you used to see, and asked the newsagent why. "Oh," he says, "they got the captions for the edible and poisonous fungi the wrong way round".

We started collecting in the 70s with a book called Comment Reconnaître 30 Champignons Comestibles. We stuck to the really unmistakeable ones. We're still here.

In general I'd rather depend on drawings than photos, since the lighting and the camera's colour temperature setting can make a great deal of difference from photo to photo.

[Cugel]

Saw this, this morning whilst down our drive with the doggie having his morning constitutional.

IMG_1524 copy.jpg

I see that you and the pooch both had a wee bite of that fine fly agaric. A report of your trips would be welcome, inclusive of the nature & appearance of the faerie you came across (and that of any goblins).

As you will have realised, a chaw of that particular toadstool enables humans to understand many creature-languages, including that of dogs, so you'll be able to tell us what the hound imparted about his own experiences.

Cugel, always fascinated by alternative realities.

[Cugel]

Fungiphiles might enjoy Merlin Sheldrake's book Entangled Life which tells you a great deal about the hidden parts of fungi.

Mycelium, Sheldrake says, is the tissue that holds together much of the world. The filaments thread through the soil, and through living and decomposing bodies, plant or animal. Each exploring tip is looking for water and nutrients, which it will begin to absorb, sending chemical signals to other parts of the network. In some species, scientists have also detected electrical waves. Other filaments nearby that receive these messages turn towards the nourishment. The network can store information. Scientists have tried removing the food source and severing all the connections. New filaments appear and set out in the right direction. It is hard not to call this “memory”.

The tips circulate “information”, and, in response, the mycelium makes advantageous changes to its behaviour. This is more than mere chemical reaction. Here is a responsive entity with interests that its actions can serve or harm. Sheldrake tries out the idea of swarm-intelligence, but a swarm consists of separate individuals, whereas the network of fused or entangled hyphae functions as a physical whole – or much more like a physical whole. Studying fungi makes these lines harder to draw.

That book, along with Roger Phillips "Mushrooms", have just been acquired by the ladywife, who is also now preparing spore cards. Sadly the main funghi season is a relatively short month and a bit, at this time of year. Others do pop up in other seasons but they seem relatively few and so harder to spot.

Cugel

[Cugel]

I'd love to pick some of the mushrooms growing at this time of year but don't because I fear identifying between edible ones and the poisonous is a dodgy task.
A friend has two beautifully illustrated books, photos and sketches but the photos in the two books look different. Neither he nor I feel we can risk it.

Years ago I saw a recall notice for one of those one-issue-a-month encyclopaedias you used to see, and asked the newsagent why. "Oh," he says, "they got the captions for the edible and poisonous fungi the wrong way round".

We started collecting in the 70s with a book called Comment Reconnaître 30 Champignons Comestibles. We stuck to the really unmistakeable ones. We're still here.

In general I'd rather depend on drawings than photos, since the lighting and the camera's colour temperature setting can make a great deal of difference from photo to photo.

Identification is possible but not so easy with many of the fine fruiting bodies found in the woods and fields. It is possible to manage camera, rendering software and monitor (maybe even a printer, although that's harder) to retain colour accuracy to a degree. Even the lighting can be managed when taking the photo if the camera comes with a diffused flash or LED illuminator. I use one of these with an add-on flash and or add-on LED diffuser-come-ring light:

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/revi ... g-6-review

But a spore print and a listing of other physical features is the safest way really.

However, there are "the deceivers" - a class of mushroom that change colour drastically after being picked and perhaps dried out a bit. .....

Like you, I avoid all but the unmistakeables (generally field and horse mushrooms). It only takes one mistake. On the other hand, few are so toxic that they'll do permanent damage. Even fewer will kill. And many warn you off with a disgusting taste/smell or a built-in inclination to make you throw up reet quick. Or so I read.

Cugel

[Mike Sales]

I see that you and the pooch both had a wee bite of that fine fly agaric. A report of your trips would be welcome, inclusive of the nature & appearance of the faerie you came across (and that of any goblins).

As you will have realised, a chaw of that particular toadstool enables humans to understand many creature-languages, including that of dogs, so you'll be able to tell us what the hound imparted about his own experiences.

Cugel, always fascinated by alternative realities.

I was once woken in the middle of the night by a group of friends, one of who had eaten fly agaric. My house was the nearest available refuge. Her experience had nothing to recommend it as far as I could see. Between vomiting sessions she was in no state to report visions.

[Cugel]

I see that you and the pooch both had a wee bite of that fine fly agaric. A report of your trips would be welcome, inclusive of the nature & appearance of the faerie you came across (and that of any goblins).

As you will have realised, a chaw of that particular toadstool enables humans to understand many creature-languages, including that of dogs, so you'll be able to tell us what the hound imparted about his own experiences.

Cugel, always fascinated by alternative realities.

I was once woken in the middle of the night by a group of friends, one of who had eaten fly agaric. My house was the nearest available refuge. Her experience had nothing to recommend it as far as I could see. Between vomiting sessions she was in no state to report visions.

Apparently the trick is to eat just the right amount, which will still make you throw up but otherwise leave you wandering in strange lands for a bit. How to judge the right amount? Gawd knows! As with other psychedelics, the effect on the imbiber will be largely determined by their overall mental state as well as by any physical effects. There are bad trips and good ones.

I did have a friend (a flat-mate, when we were students) who habitually went up the fells to pick psilocybin mushrooms, which he dried and made into a tea. I was too leery to risk a cuppa myself but had many a fine evening enjoying the mental rub-off that occurs when such a tea drinker becomes a bit of a jolly elf themselves. I never saw any harmful effects in this madcap - quite the opposite really.

More than half a century ago now but very memorable experiences.

Cugel

[Mike Sales]

Fungiphiles might enjoy Merlin Sheldrake's book Entangled Life which tells you a great deal about the hidden parts of fungi.


That book, along with Roger Phillips "Mushrooms", have just been acquired by the ladywife, who is also now preparing spore cards. Sadly the main funghi season is a relatively short month and a bit, at this time of year. Others do pop up in other seasons but they seem relatively few and so harder to spot.

I did have a friend (a flat-mate, when we were students) who habitually went up the fells to pick psilocybin mushrooms, which he dried and made into a tea. I was too leery to risk a cuppa myself but had many a fine evening enjoying the mental rub-off that occurs when such a tea drinker becomes a bit of a jolly elf themselves. I never saw any harmful effects in this madcap - quite the opposite really.

Cugel

Entangled Life has an interesting, if speculative section on on psilocybin mushrooms.and psychedelics.

[Mick F]

Saw this, this morning whilst down our drive with the doggie having his morning constitutional.

IMG_1524 copy.jpg

I see that you and the pooch both had a wee bite of that fine fly agaric. A report of your trips would be welcome, inclusive of the nature & appearance of the faerie you came across (and that of any goblins).

As you will have realised, a chaw of that particular toadstool enables humans to understand many creature-languages, including that of dogs, so you'll be able to tell us what the hound imparted about his own experiences.

Cugel, always fascinated by alternative realities.

Neither of has even sniffed at them!
Dunno who or what has had a nibble, but it wasn't us.

[Chris Jeggo]

Saw this, this morning whilst down our drive with the doggie having his morning constitutional.

IMG_1524 copy.jpg

I see that you and the pooch both had a wee bite of that fine fly agaric. A report of your trips would be welcome, inclusive of the nature & appearance of the faerie you came across (and that of any goblins).

As you will have realised, a chaw of that particular toadstool enables humans to understand many creature-languages, including that of dogs, so you'll be able to tell us what the hound imparted about his own experiences.

Cugel, always fascinated by alternative realities.

Neither of has even sniffed at them!
Dunno who or what has had a nibble, but it wasn't us.

You didn't notice any snails or slugs with wonky tentacles, then?

[6.5_lives_left]

I see that you and the pooch both had a wee bite of that fine fly agaric. A report of your trips would be welcome, inclusive of the nature & appearance of the faerie you came across (and that of any goblins).

As you will have realised, a chaw of that particular toadstool enables humans to understand many creature-languages, including that of dogs, so you'll be able to tell us what the hound imparted about his own experiences.

Cugel, always fascinated by alternative realities.

I was once woken in the middle of the night by a group of friends, one of who had eaten fly agaric. My house was the nearest available refuge. Her experience had nothing to recommend it as far as I could see. Between vomiting sessions she was in no state to report visions.

Apparently the trick is to eat just the right amount, which will still make you throw up but otherwise leave you wandering in strange lands for a bit. How to judge the right amount? Gawd knows! As with other psychedelics, the effect on the imbiber will be largely determined by their overall mental state as well as by any physical effects. There are bad trips and good ones.

I did have a friend (a flat-mate, when we were students) who habitually went up the fells to pick psilocybin mushrooms, which he dried and made into a tea. I was too leery to risk a cuppa myself but had many a fine evening enjoying the mental rub-off that occurs when such a tea drinker becomes a bit of a jolly elf themselves. I never saw any harmful effects in this madcap - quite the opposite really.

More than half a century ago now but very memorable experiences.

Cugel

I believe the correct way to deal with the toxins in a fly agaric is to strain it through the kidneys of your reindeer.
It is a bit hard on the reindeer though (and they can take flight).
You all have a reindeer, don't you?

[Cugel]

I was once woken in the middle of the night by a group of friends, one of who had eaten fly agaric. My house was the nearest available refuge. Her experience had nothing to recommend it as far as I could see. Between vomiting sessions she was in no state to report visions.

Apparently the trick is to eat just the right amount, which will still make you throw up but otherwise leave you wandering in strange lands for a bit. How to judge the right amount? Gawd knows! As with other psychedelics, the effect on the imbiber will be largely determined by their overall mental state as well as by any physical effects. There are bad trips and good ones.

I did have a friend (a flat-mate, when we were students) who habitually went up the fells to pick psilocybin mushrooms, which he dried and made into a tea. I was too leery to risk a cuppa myself but had many a fine evening enjoying the mental rub-off that occurs when such a tea drinker becomes a bit of a jolly elf themselves. I never saw any harmful effects in this madcap - quite the opposite really.

More than half a century ago now but very memorable experiences.

Cugel

I believe the correct way to deal with the toxins in a fly agaric is to strain it through the kidneys of your reindeer.
It is a bit hard on the reindeer though (and they can take flight).
You all have a reindeer, don't you?

Strangely enough, I have just mended my one and only reindeer. His poor neck got snapped on a very windy day. He's made of wood rather than flesh, though - by a neighbour who makes large scale outdoor furniture of a substantial kind out of large chunks of softwood from his bit of fforest. This neighbour has a herd of the wooden Rangifer tarandi standing about his front drive, for sale to those passing by who are easily charmed by a reindeer smile.

I would try feeding the fly agaric to the reindeer but, happily, he don't eat. This lack of eating is a happy state of affairs as otherwise the garden would become embaldened.

Soon, I will park Ifans (for that's his name) at the front door, as the only Christmas decoration we ever exhibit. He looks really good when it snows. Some use these creatures to attract a Santa Claus, which they then mug for the sack contents. Not me, though! I don't believe in Santa Claus.

Cugel, currently full of covid & flu jab aches, possibly inclusive of a queer mental state.

[Cugel]

A few more funghi pics, from recent walks in the fforest. This year has seen a rather queer funghi flourishment, with some of the usuals not appearing whilst others have appeared in hordes. The fly agaric, in particular, has gone mad! There is efflorescence of dozens at a time in one spot, with a count of 27 in three square feet being the largest count found so far.

Cugel

[Nearholmer]

Vast numbers of these, an entire carpet, this morning when I took the dog out. They look to me rather like aquatic plants.

Any ideas what they might be?

[pwa]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but there is at least one app that allows you to get suggestions for which species you are looking at. It works with plants and funghi. My wife frequently interrupts the rhythm of our walks by pointing her phone at a mushroom and then announcing which species she thinks it is.

As a teenager I did go through a phase of collecting Liberty Cap and enjoying its properties. The most stoned I ever got was after a few pints in a pub, then a few cans, and then a tea pot of LC infusion shared with friends at a remote farmyard. Fortunately for me, I am the sort who always has a little Mr Sensible whispering in my ear "This is just the effects of what you drank, it isn't real", but some folk completely lose control with that natural drug, so I emphatically do not recommend it. I stopped using it after a couple of times, deciding that poisoning my system was not a good way forward. That was more than 40 years ago.

My more healthy foraging is limited to field mushrooms. We have a good source locally.