Laura Smith
Mushrooms reproduce by releasing billions of spores, which can be collected on paper, foil, glass, or plastic to create a spore print. The colour of the spores varies from white to black, and mushrooms with dark gills, like portobellos, have dark spores that show up well on white paper. To create a spore print, the mushroom cap is placed gill-side down on paper, and covered with a bowl or glass for 2-24 hours. The spores will then fall onto the paper, creating a print. Spore prints can be used to identify mushrooms, as they have been classified by the colour of their spores for over two centuries. While it is possible to create spore prints from washed mushrooms, it is unclear if this will impact the visibility of the print.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spore visibility | Spores are microscopic and can only be seen with a microscope. |
| Spore colour | Spore colour can vary from white to black, brown, or cinnamon. |
| Materials | Spore prints are commonly made on paper but can also be made on glass, clear plastic, or foil. |
| Mushroom type | Mushrooms with gills or pores can be used for spore prints. |
| Mushroom preparation | Remove the stem and place the cap with the gills or pores facing down on the chosen material. |
| Moisture | Adding moisture to the cap can encourage spore release, but mushrooms should not be stored in plastic as they can become mushy. |
| Coverage | Cover the mushroom with a bowl or glass to contain the spores. |
| Time | Leave the mushroom for 2-24 hours, depending on humidity and freshness. |
| Preservation | Spore prints can be preserved by spraying with artist spray or hair spray. |
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What You'll Learn
- Spore prints can be made on paper, foil, glass, or plastic
- Microscopic examination of spores is easier on glass than paper
- Mushrooms with dark gills show up better on white paper
- Mushrooms with white gills show up better on black paper
- Mushrooms with pores have spores inside the pores underneath the cap
Spore prints can be made on paper, foil, glass, or plastic
To encourage the spores to release, put a drop of water on the top of the cap. Then, cover the cap with a paper cup or glass bowl and leave for 2-24 hours, depending on the humidity and the freshness of the mushroom. The spores will fall onto the paper, foil, or glass, creating a spore print pattern. If you are using paper, it is recommended to use black paper for mushrooms with white spores, and white paper for mushrooms with dark spores. You can also experiment with different coloured paper to highlight the colour of the spores.
If you are planning to use the spores for cultivation, it is important to ensure that your work area and the mushroom cap are clean. You can wipe them down with isopropyl alcohol to minimise bacteria and other contaminants. Spore prints for cultivation are best done on tin foil as it is more sterile and makes it easier to transfer the spores.
To preserve your spore print, you can lightly spray it with an artist spray or hair spray. Hold the spray at least 12 to 15 inches above the print, or you may blow the spores off the paper.
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Microscopic examination of spores is easier on glass than paper
Spore prints are made by placing the mushroom gill-side down on a sheet of paper, covering it with a bowl, and leaving it for several hours or overnight. The spores will then be discharged onto the paper, creating a print. This technique has been used for over two centuries to classify mushrooms according to the colour of their spores.
However, the colour of the spore print may not always be a reliable indicator of the mushroom species. For example, in the genus Lactarius, thin deposits are usually white, while thick deposits are cream to yellow. Therefore, to accurately identify a mushroom, it is necessary to examine the spores under a microscope.
While spore prints on paper are the most common method, it is also possible to obtain a print on other materials such as glass or clear plastic. Glass is often preferred for microscopic examination because even weak spore prints that might not be visible on paper can usually be seen on glass. Additionally, spores can be more easily removed from glass for examination under a microscope, whereas it can be difficult to remove spores from paper. Glass microscope slides are commonly used for this purpose.
To study mushroom spores under a microscope, it is important to have a good-quality microscope with a high magnification capability, as the structures of fungi are very small. A microscope with a maximum magnification of 1000x is ideal, although a microscope with 400x magnification is sufficient. An oil immersion lens is also recommended for obtaining clear images at high magnification. Other useful features include adjustable illumination, known as brightfield illumination, and an eyepiece with an ocular micrometer for measuring the dimensions of the spores.
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Mushrooms with dark gills show up better on white paper
Mushrooms have been classified by the colour of their spores for over two centuries. The spores are usually found on the gills of the mushroom and are often white, pink, brown, or black, but can also be orange, yellow, green, or purple. The gills of a mushroom may change colour as it grows and the spores mature. For example, the gills of a mushroom may be white when it is young, but as the spores mature, the gills may turn a dark brown colour.
To determine a mushroom's spore colour, one can examine the gills or create a spore print. A spore print is a powdery deposit obtained by allowing spores of a fungal fruit body to fall onto a surface underneath. To create a spore print, one must remove the stem from a mushroom and place it on a sheet of paper with the gills facing down. A bowl can be placed over the mushroom to prevent the spores from blowing around. The spores will then fall from the mushroom and produce a pattern that resembles the gills on the underside of the cap.
The colour of the paper used for the spore print can affect the visibility of the spores. Mushrooms with dark gills, like portobellos, have dark spores that show up well on white paper. Shiitake mushrooms, on the other hand, have white gills and spores that are more visible on black paper. Some mushrooms produce both light and dark spores, so it is recommended to use both black and white paper for spore prints. Additionally, very young mushrooms may not have produced mature spores yet, so it is important to choose mushrooms that are fully expanded and seem to be discharging their spores.
While paper is the most common material used for spore prints, it can be difficult to remove the spores from the paper for microscopic examination. Glass or clear plastic can also be used, and spores are often easier to see on these surfaces.
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Mushrooms with white gills show up better on black paper
Mushrooms with white gills, such as shiitake mushrooms, will show up better on black paper. The spores of these mushrooms are white and will therefore be more visible on a darker background. To make a spore print, place the mushroom with the gill side down on a piece of paper and cover it with a bowl. Leave it overnight and carefully lift the bowl and mushroom in the morning to reveal the print. If the mushroom is too wet, you may get a watercolour effect instead of a sharp print.
It is important to select mushrooms that are mature enough to be discharging their spores but not overmature, as they may decompose rapidly. Freshly discharged spores are essential for cultivation and genetic studies. While paper is the most common surface for creating spore prints, other materials such as glass or clear plastic can also be used. Glass is preferable as very weak prints that might not be visible on paper can usually be seen on glass. Additionally, spores are easier to remove from glass for microscopic examination.
The colour of spores is important for mushroom classification and identification. Mycologists use spore size, shape, and colour to identify unknown species of mushrooms. Spore prints can have their own colour that may not match the colour of the mushroom. For example, portobello mushrooms have dark spores that show up well on white paper, while shiitake mushrooms have white spores that are more visible on black paper. Some mushrooms, such as Cortinarius armillatus, produce light brown spores, while others like Coprinopsis atramentaria have black spores.
While washing mushrooms may remove some spores, it is still possible to obtain a spore print from washed mushrooms. The spores are located in the gills, and unless you scrubbed between each gill, there should still be some spores left to produce a print. Creating a spore print from a washed mushroom can be a way to confirm whether any spores remain after washing.
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Mushrooms with pores have spores inside the pores underneath the cap
Mushrooms have evolved diverse methods for dispersing their spores, which are the equivalent of seeds in fungi. While gills are the most well-known spore-producing surface, some mushrooms have pores instead. These pores are small, sponge-like holes that appear on the underside of the cap. They are the openings of a network of tubes within the mushroom cap, and spores are produced and released through these pores.
Mushrooms with pores include members of the family Boletaceae, such as the popular edible mushroom Boletus edulis, also known as porcini. These mushrooms have a stalk and an umbrella-shaped top, with spores dispersed through the small pores underneath the cap. The pore-laden area beneath the cap is often quite spongy. Some boletes produce gastric distress, so it is important to make a positive identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.
To make a spore print from a mushroom with pores, the process is similar to that of a gilled mushroom. First, remove the stem, being careful not to damage the pore surface. Then, place the mushroom with the pore side down on a piece of paper, foil, or glass. Cover it with a bowl or cup and leave it for a few hours or overnight. The spores will fall onto the surface, creating a delicate print that can be preserved with an artist or hair spray.
The colour of the spores can vary from white to black, brown, or cinnamon. The spore print pattern will reflect the size and shape of the pores, so it is important to note the pore surface characteristics, such as colour, size, and pattern, when identifying mushrooms. These traits can help indicate the species, and a guidebook can be a useful tool for identification.
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Frequently asked questions
Spore prints are used to see the colour of the spores and are made by placing the mushroom gill-side down on a piece of paper. The spores will then fall onto the paper, creating a spore print pattern.
Spore prints are most commonly made on paper, foil, or glass. However, they can also be made on other materials such as clear plastic or glass microscope slides.
Mushrooms that are fresh and open are best for spore printing. Avoid using overmature mushrooms as they may decompose rapidly. Mushrooms with dark gills, like portobellos, are good for printing on white paper, while shiitake mushrooms are better for black paper.
Yes, washed mushrooms can still leave spore prints as long as they are not scrubbed too hard. The spores are located in the gills of the mushroom, so as long as they are not completely removed, a spore print can still be made.
