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Here’s an excerpt from my journal notes while attending the COMA Foray.

Spending three days with mushroom enthusiasts involves a great deal more than finding, identifying and eating the edible ones. In the last 24 hours I have learned more about the lives of mushrooms than I ever imagined.

In the animal world, there are males and females, but in the world of fungi, there are four genders or mating factors. Mycologist Leon Shernoff defined them as A, a, B, b. So that A mates with a, and B mates with b.

Mycology books are constantly being rewritten as new research emerges. Originally scientists thought that there were two different species of chanterelles - Cantharellus (chanterelles) and Craterellus (black trumpets). New research reveals that these two fungi share DNA, thus they belong to the same genus.

There is another trumpet-shaped mushroom, Gomphus, which does not belong to the same genus as the chanterelle and black trumpet, despite its similar appearance. It is not edible.

It’s very useful to have samples of these mushrooms to compare and contrast. I had this idea that there were mushroom experts and mushroom novices. I’m quickly learning that even the experts are continually learning.

Beyond the mushroom genders, mushrooms also have two different styles of mycelium. Ascus have eight nuclei which are lined up like peas in a pod. Basidium have four nuclei, which rise up like pronged spears.

The research room at this event is piled high with fungi of all shapes and sizes, all in the process of being identified by some of the most brilliant minds in the field.

This is like a crash course in mushrooms. And the strange part is, instead of feeling overwhelmed, I’m motivated to keep on learning.