Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground. The gills of the mushrooms produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground. These spores are shot off basidia and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. Spore prints can be made to identify the colour of the spores, which can be diagnostic. To make a spore print, the stem of the mushroom is removed, and the cap is placed gill-side down on a piece of paper or a plate. A bowl is then placed over the mushroom to prevent drafts, and it is left for a few hours or overnight. The colour of the spores can then be observed, and the mushroom can be identified by comparing it to a field guide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Identify the mushroom species |
| Process | Remove the stem and place the cap on a piece of paper or a plate with the gills facing down. Cover it with a bowl or container and wait for a few hours or overnight. |
| Colour of Spore Prints | White (most common), brown, black, purple-brown, pink, yellow, creamy, blue, green, red |
| Other Identification Methods | Microscopic examination, presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, habit, and season |
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Using paper
Mushroom spores are very small and can only be seen individually with a microscope. However, you can observe them with the naked eye by making a spore print. To do this, you will need fresh, open mushrooms and a sheet of paper.
Firstly, remove the stems from the mushrooms. You can do this by snapping them off or cutting them with scissors or a sharp knife. Be careful not to damage the gills.
Next, place the mushrooms gill-side down on a sheet of paper. If you don't know the colour of the spores in advance, it is recommended to use both black and white paper side by side, as some colours may be difficult to see against a light or dark background. If you know the spores are white, use black paper or clear plastic or glass. If the mushroom has a stem and is soft and fresh, such as a bolete, you can make a hole in a piece of paper and slide the stem through, leaving the underside of the cap resting on the paper.
Then, cover the mushrooms with a bowl, cup, tumbler, or glass to prevent the spores from being dispersed by air currents. If you are worried about the mushrooms drying out, place a piece of wet tissue paper on top of the cap. Leave the mushrooms covered for 2-24 hours, depending on the humidity and the freshness of the mushroom. You can put them in the fridge overnight if you are concerned about them getting soft.
Finally, carefully remove the covering and lift the mushrooms. You should see a colourful imprint of the spores on the paper. If the paper has absorbed a lot of moisture, you may need to wait for it to dry before you can see the print clearly. The spore print can show not only colour but also patterns that correspond to the lamellae or pores of the fungus.
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Using a plate
To see mushroom spores using a plate, you will need to make a spore print. This involves placing the mushroom cap on a flat surface, such as a plate, and allowing the spores to fall and settle onto the surface. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Selecting the Mushroom
Choose a fresh, mature mushroom with fully opened gills or pores. Ensure it is a species that you can handle safely. Avoid mushrooms that are too young, too old, or damaged, as they may not produce a clear spore print.
Preparing the Mushroom
Gently brush off any dirt or debris from the mushroom cap, being careful not to damage the gills or pores. Using a clean, sharp knife, cut the stem close to the cap, leaving as little stem as possible. If the mushroom cap seems dry, you can add a few drops of water to initiate the spore release process.
Creating the Spore Print
Place the mushroom cap, gill or pore side down, onto your chosen surface. You can use a glass plate, or a black or white plate, depending on the expected colour of the spores. Lighter spores will show up better on a black plate, while a white plate is better for darker spores. Cover the cap with a bowl, glass, or moisture-resistant container to create a humid environment, which encourages spore release. Leave the mushroom undisturbed for 2-24 hours, depending on the humidity and freshness of the mushroom.
Observing the Spore Print
After the waiting period, carefully remove the cover and then gently lift the mushroom cap using tweezers. You should see the spore print on the plate, displaying the pattern and colour of the spores. Allow the spore print to air dry completely, which can take a few hours to a day, depending on humidity levels.
Identification and Cultivation
Once you have created your spore print, you can compare it to field guides or consult an expert to help identify the mushroom species. The colour, pattern, shape, texture, and density of the spores are all important characteristics used in mushroom identification. Spore prints can also be used for cultivation, by transferring the spores to a suitable substrate to grow mycelium and eventually produce mushrooms.
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Using a microscope
The first step in examining mushroom spores under a microscope is to obtain a microscope. New microscopes can be quite expensive, so if you are on a budget, consider finding a used one. Check with local universities and laboratories to see if they are willing to sell you old equipment.
Once you have a microscope, make sure it has the following features:
- Capable of 1000x magnification
- Has an oil immersion lens
- Has a fine-focus knob
- Able to move its stage
- Has an electric light source
- Has an ocular micrometer in the eyepiece
The next step is to obtain a mushroom and prepare a sample for examination. Cut off the stem of the mushroom so that it is even with the cap. Place the cap on a glass microscope slide with the underside facing down. Cover the slide with a cup or bowl to prevent any drafts from blowing the spores away. Let the slide sit overnight.
The mushroom cap will drop its spores onto the slide overnight. Remove the cap and carefully place the slide on the microscope stage. Start examining the spores under low magnification and gradually increase to high magnification to find the tiny mushroom spores. At low power, the spores will appear as streaks of tiny specks, while higher power will allow you to see their individual shapes.
You can also try slicing a very thin section of the mushroom gills from the underside of the cap and placing it on a slide with a drop of water. Cover it with a coverslip and examine it under the microscope. Look for the small knobs on the gills, as this is where the spores attach.
Additionally, you can use stains and reagents to help visualize the spores more clearly. For example, Melzer's reagent is commonly used to determine if spores are amyloid, inamyloid, or dextrinoid. Amyloid spores turn blue-black, dextrinoid spores turn reddish-brown, and inamyloid spores turn yellowish or show no change.
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Natural spore prints
Spore prints can be used to identify mushrooms in the wild. Mushroom spores are very small and can only be seen individually with a microscope. However, on a mature mushroom, many thousands of spores can grow on just one gill or a small piece of the mushroom. To see a group of spores and identify their colour, a spore print can be made.
To make a natural spore print, place the mushroom cap, gill-side down, on a piece of paper, aluminium foil, or a black plate. If the gills are light-coloured, use a dark-coloured surface, and vice versa. If the colour is uncertain, place half of the cap on a dark surface and half on a light surface. Cover the mushroom and surface with a bowl or container to prevent air currents from disturbing the print. Leave the mushroom undisturbed for a few hours or overnight. If you are worried about the mushroom getting soft, place it in the fridge.
After leaving the mushroom undisturbed, check under the cap to see the colour of the spores. Then, compare this colour to images and field guides to identify the species of mushroom. Spore prints can be preserved on paper or foil by spraying them lightly with hairspray.
It is important to note that not all types of fungi release spores that will make a print. Some fungi have an outer surface that produces spores, while others have a closed or partially closed mass of spores. Additionally, always follow local rules and guidelines when collecting mushrooms for spore prints. Only pick mushrooms if there are plenty in the area, as they play an important role in the environment. Remember to wash your hands after handling mushrooms.
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Spore colour
The simplest way to determine the colour of a mushroom's spores is to examine its gills or pores, as spores grow on these parts of the mushroom and change their colour as they mature. However, this method is not always reliable, as gill colour does not always indicate spore colour. For example, the gills of a mushroom may change colour due to bruising or insect bites.
To accurately determine spore colour, a spore print can be made. This involves removing the stem of the mushroom and placing the cap, gill-side down, on a sheet of white, black, or neutral-coloured paper. A bowl or container is then placed over the mushroom to prevent air currents from disturbing the print. After a few hours or overnight, the mushroom is removed, and the colour of the spores should be visible. If the spores are difficult to see, using a black light or ultraviolet light can help make them more visible.
It is important to note that spore colour is not the only factor used to identify a mushroom, and other characteristics should also be considered for accurate identification. Additionally, some mushrooms may be too young, too old, or collected at high elevations, which can affect their ability to produce spores and create a spore print.
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