Position the black and white paper on a flat surface where it can be left undisturbed for several hours. Wear gloves when handling unknown mushrooms, or make sure to wash hands afterwards.Ĭut the stipe (stem) off as close to the base of the cap as possible. Young specimens of honey fungus look like button mushrooms, then uncurl as they age before turning dark and slimy once they are past their peak. Young mushrooms may be too immature to drop their spores, whereas old mushrooms may have already released all their spores. The stipe is often hollow in the middle.Ĭhoose the freshest mushroom you can. The colour and patterning of the stipe vary, ranging from pale/pinkish/dark brown in colour, and smooth/stripy/scaled in pattern. In most honey fungus mushrooms the stipe is the same width along its length ( Armillaria gallica can have a bulbous base). The species of honey fungus that occur in gardens all have annuli close to where the cap begins, but these can be difficult to spot and may only be present as wispy veils of tissue. Honey fungus mushrooms produce pale (white/cream) spores.Īnnulus – A ring of tissue around the stalk (stipe).
![mushroom spore mushroom spore](https://i2.wp.com/my.chicagobotanic.org/wp-content/uploads/CIMG1188.jpg)
The colour of the spores may be hard to tell while still inside the mushroom cap, but by making a spore print (see below) you can observe the colour more easily. Spores – Spores develop and are released from between the gills. Some but not all of the gills will run all the way from the cap edge to connect to the central stalk (stipe). Gills – Membranes running radially across the underside of the cap are the gills.
![mushroom spore mushroom spore](https://everythingmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/images/products/products-pearl_oyster_spore_print_001__10511.1384459033.1280.1280.jpg)
Remove the glass or bowl and the cotton ball or paper towel. It may take from 2 to 24 hours to collect the spores.Ħ. If possible, check the paper in a couple of hours to see if spores are deposited on the paper. Place an upside-down glass or bowl over the top of the mushroom to help keep the mushroom moist.ĥ. Place a damp cotton ball or piece of damp paper towel on top of the mushroom. Note: be sure to write the date and location where the mushroom was collected on the piece of paper.ģ.
![mushroom spore mushroom spore](https://i.etsystatic.com/15488312/r/il/c61734/1294252098/il_794xN.1294252098_dvq3.jpg)
![mushroom spore mushroom spore](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mrphn1zOWaE/maxresdefault.jpg)
If you have more than one of the same type of mushroom, place at least one on each color of paper. Place the mushroom cap, top side up, on a piece of white or black paper. Cut or pull the stem from the mushroom cap.Ģ. To produce a spore print from a mushroom:ġ. If you want to save your spore prints, you will also need:Ĭlear acrylic spray, laminating film and laminator, or clear contact paper bowls or glasses large enough to fit over a mushroom.damp cotton balls or pieces of paper towel.fresh, mature mushrooms that are not deteriorating.heavy weight paper in both white and black.To make spore prints from mushrooms, you will need: