Spore print
The spore print is the powdery deposit obtained by allowing
Method
A spore print is made by placing the spore-producing surface flat on a sheet of dark and white paper or on a sheet of clear, stiff plastic, which facilitates moving the spore print to a darker or lighter surface for improved contrast; for example, it is easier to determine whether the spore print is pure white or, rather, very slightly pigmented. The mushroom is left for several hours, often overnight, in this manner. Some guides advise using a moisture-resistant enclosure, like a glass or jar, to contain the mushroom during printing. If the mushroom is to be preserved, a small hole can be made in the spore print paper rather than cutting the
In the field, spore print colour can sometimes be quickly determined by examining the top of stipes for spore "dust" on the nearby forest floor.[clarification needed][5]
Collecting and examination of a spore print is not always successful. Some mushrooms are too young or too old to produce spores. Mushrooms collected at high elevations will typically not produce a spore print at lower elevations.
The North American Mycological Association (NAMA) created a 'how-to guide' for people interested in creating their own spore prints.[7]
Importance
Historically the classification of many families of
See also
References
- ISBN 1-56579-192-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-89327-460-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7894-8986-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-472-03126-9.
- ISBN 0-472-85610-3.
- ISBN 978-0-8156-3229-0.
- ^ "How to: Spore Prints - North American Mycological Association". namyco.org. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
- ISBN 3-87429-254-1.