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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?]
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