Go back to species list
Go back to Table of Contents
When the novice has collected a specimen she should always consider the major identification points. This open-format identification sheet may prove helpful. Try reproducing it in your notebook to outline each species' characteristics. This form has been modified to allow quick circling of most common characteristics.
Collection Field notes:
1. Age and condition of specimen: bud fresh-expanded old-expanded
moist dry
2. Does it turn blue right away? Yes No
3. CAP
Coloration -
Shape & size
Margin: incurved regular even wavy
Circular rings on cap? Yes No
Hygrophanous (color changes dramatically when dry) Yes No
4. GILLS
Coloration
edge color different? Y N
Shape & size - narrow broad even bowed-out
Spacing - close nearly distant distant
Attachment to stem - free attached attached-with-notch
5. STEM
Coloration -
Shape and size - thin-< 1/8" med 1/8-1/4" thick> 1/4"
Base (volva) present ? - y n
Hollow solid? -
Rizomorph visible at base?
Brittle or Fibrous
6. FLESH
Coloration -
Texture -
Thickness -
Special color traits -
Climate and environment:
7. [Last rain: 24 hrs.? for week?] *raining now *rained within 24
*rain 2 days ago *rain longer ago
8. [Temperature High and low: bye 24 hrs.? for week?]
SEASON: Winter Spring Summer Early-Fall Mid-Fall Late-Fall
9. What is the fungi growing on? Ground Logs
Twigs etc. Wood chips leaf-mulch leaf-mulch
meadow grass lawn grass dung
9a. General habitat: *pasture *lawn *meadow
*confierous woods *coniferous woods *mixed woods *riparian
10.[Does it turn blue eventually?] y n
11. [Name of species?]
Go back to species list
Go back to Table of Contents