Some fungi are so delicate that it’s very difficult to photograph the underside without damaging the specimen. Is it acceptable to pluck up a mushroom so as to better photograph the underside? What’s the accepted practice?
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It’s for you to decide, but generally yes, it is acceptable, those are fruiting bodies and you do a little to no harm getting those out, if you check regular ided photos they mostly include a series of plucked out specimen, like here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3593069
Though surely you should be reasonable with amount of those from one spot.
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here’s a mention of a video that discusses how to observe mushrooms:
these discussions may also be relevant:
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Thank you. That was exactly what I thought but I’m still far from being experienced. Thanks for the rapid reply.
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It’s a debate, but if you carry a small mirror on a stick you can use that to photograph the undersides without damaging the mushroom.
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I had shown a hack with elastics, a pocket mirror, and chopsticks here for just that.
https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/life-hacks-for-naturalists/4636/54
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https://www.conservationevidence.com/individual-study/230#:~:text=Since%20harvesting%20fungal%20fruiting%20bodies,through%20the%20spread%20of%20mycelium
Here’s a study that covers this in surprising detail :)
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when I do pick a mushroom to better photograph or examine, I like to lend it a spore-spreading hand: I chuck it as high as possible. Maybe the brief flight helps with long-distance spore dispersal.
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All of a sudden I am imagining field kits with Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blasters included.
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I think you guys are onto something. I often hang them in branches when it turns out I’m not eating that particular mushroom.
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I would advise to pick a fruitbody. The mirror, etc. technicues will not allow to show necessary details and are largely useless. Besides, for many cap mushroom species change of the flesh (colour, its intensiveness, localization, etc.) are essential. Furthermore, if you have time and possibility, you can carry a cap along and put it on paper for a spore print, which is useful for identification, too. Collection of a fruitbody will not damage the organism itself.
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Sometimes it’s necessary to scrape or section the mushroom for identification. Do always keep in mind local rules and regulations as well.
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Mushroom is to fungus as apple is to apple tree.
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Yes, but in some cases, it is like an apple tree that only produces one apple in a decade.
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