# Damage to specimens **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** question\ **Created:** [January 29, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825 "2021-01-29T16:03:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jb\_evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jb_evans/32/15368_2.png) [@jb\_evans](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jb_evans)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/1 "2021-01-29T16:03:58Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/2 "2021-01-29T16:18:55Z")
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](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3593069) Though surely you should be reasonable with amount of those from one spot. ---
**Author:** ![pisum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@pisum](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pisum)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/3 "2021-01-29T16:20:06Z")
here’s a mention of a video that discusses how to observe mushrooms: > [@Not getting any IDs for my photos of insects and fungi](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/not-getting-any-ids-for-my-photos-of-insects-and-fungi/6197/7): > > For those interested in making your fungus (specifically mushroom) observations more identifiable on iNat, this video tutorial from @Leptonia is a great place to begin: > [youtube.com/watch?v=LKF\_pIY0Zpc](http://youtube.com/watch?v=LKF_pIY0Zpc) these discussions may also be relevant: - [Reasons not to pick mushrooms - Nature Talk - iNaturalist Community Forum](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/reasons-not-to-pick-mushrooms/9024) - [Management of pictures of specimen “artistically” altered - General - iNaturalist Community Forum](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/management-of-pictures-of-specimen-artistically-altered/8900) ---
**Author:** ![jb\_evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jb_evans/32/15368_2.png) [@jb\_evans](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jb_evans)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/4 "2021-01-29T16:20:32Z")
Thank you. That was exactly what I thought but I’m still far from being experienced. Thanks for the rapid reply. ---
**Author:** ![astra\_the\_dragon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/astra_the_dragon/32/37251_2.png) [@astra\_the\_dragon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/astra_the_dragon)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/5 "2021-01-29T16:42:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bobmcd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bobmcd/32/1761_2.png) [@bobmcd](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bobmcd)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/6 "2021-01-29T17:00:41Z")
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](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/life-hacks-for-naturalists/4636/54) ---
**Author:** ![benkendrick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/benkendrick/32/7856_2.png) [@benkendrick](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/benkendrick)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/7 "2021-01-29T18:40:04Z")
[https://www.conservationevidence.com/individual-study/230#:~:text=Since%20harvesting%20fungal%20fruiting%20bodies,through%20the%20spread%20of%20mycelium](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 :) ---
**Author:** ![pkm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/pkm/32/13491_2.png) [@pkm](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pkm)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/8 "2021-01-29T18:55:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bobmcd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bobmcd/32/1761_2.png) [@bobmcd](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bobmcd)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 7:02pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/9 "2021-01-29T19:02:29Z")
All of a sudden I am imagining field kits with Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blasters included. ---
**Author:** ![benkendrick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/benkendrick/32/7856_2.png) [@benkendrick](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/benkendrick)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/10 "2021-01-29T19:39:59Z")
I think you guys are onto something. I often hang them in branches when it turns out I’m not eating that particular mushroom. ---
**Author:** ![jurga\_li](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jurga_li/32/4465_2.png) [@jurga\_li](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jurga_li)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/11 "2021-01-29T19:45:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![tiwane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tiwane/32/54612_2.png) [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/12 "2021-01-29T23:28:31Z")
Sometimes it’s necessary to scrape or section the mushroom for identification. Do always keep in mind local rules and regulations as well. ---
**Author:** ![jasonhernandez74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jasonhernandez74/32/33615_2.png) [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 5:18am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/13 "2021-01-30T05:18:56Z")
> [@jurga\_li](#): > > Collection of a fruitbody will not damage the organism itself. Mushroom is to fungus as apple is to apple tree. ---
**Author:** ![jhbratton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jhbratton/32/3718_2.png) [@jhbratton](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jhbratton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 10:08am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/14 "2021-01-30T10:08:59Z")
Yes, but in some cases, it is like an apple tree that only produces one apple in a decade. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/2X/7/7831452cf7f0d653ff1ffd34176334b7ef1b6a17.png) [@system](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2021, 10:09am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/damage-to-specimens/19825/15 "2021-03-31T10:09:21Z")
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.