Foraging For Fungi With The Susquehanna Valley Mycological Society

The Susquehanna Valley Mycological Society (SVMS) recently held its last event of the year on Sept. 30. Approximately 40 mushroom enthusiasts from south-central New York and Pennsylvania gathered for the fall foray at the Hammond estate to forage for fungi, connect with each other, and share a potluck lunch.

Participants were welcomed by Linda Hammond and other SVMS officers, and then received instructions for making the most of their mushroom foraging experience. It was explained that collecting mushrooms does not harm the fungus from which they are growing, because mushrooms are just the fruiting body – much like apples are just the fruit of apple trees. However, foragers should pick mushrooms gently, to avoid damaging the delicate fungal mycelium in the surrounding substrate.

Extra wicker baskets were provided for collecting mushrooms. Baskets are better than bags for carrying mushrooms because the more fragile finds could be crushed on top of each other when crammed into bags, and because baskets have better airflow, which allows the mushrooms to keep releasing and spreading their spores as they are carried around. 

To accommodate all attendees, there were options for an easier walk or more challenging terrain. Guided groups went out around 10 a.m., and spent about two hours exploring the fungi-filled fields and forests.  

After returning from the forest, attendees dropped off their finds and enjoyed a potluck lunch as SVMS experts sifted through the collected specimens to identify and label everyone’s finds.  

In total, 126 different species of fungi were identified that day. Some of the more interesting finds included tiny brown mushrooms that only grow on pinecones, as well as many brightly colored specimens and a few mushrooms that were larger than dinner plates.

Mycology is the scientific study of fungi, and the Mycological Society’s event even included some citizen science. Attendees were encouraged to collect and bring back any mushrooms in the colorful Russula genus for further study at Cornell by Itsie Hull, the SVMS scientific adviser.  

After the foray, it was announced that one of the finds might be an exceptionally rare and unusual species called Underwoodia columnaris. The specimen will be sent for DNA analysis, and eventually preserved in Cornell University’s Herbarium.  

Although this was the last event for the year, anyone interested in learning more about mushrooms can join the Susquehanna Valley Mycological Society to connect with other local enthusiasts and be notified of next year’s events.